What is hexagonal graph paper?
Hexagonal graph paper, often called a hex grid, covers the page with a honeycomb of regular hexagons. Every cell touches six neighbours along a shared edge, where a square grid cell touches four. That makes distances to neighbouring cells equal in all six directions, which is why hexes are popular for maps and for drawing rings of atoms.
Hexagon size: across flats or edge length?
On this sheet the size is the distance between two opposite sides of a hexagon, also called the width across flats. It is the figure most people use when they say a map has “1 inch hexes”. The edge length is shorter: edge = across flats ÷ √3, about 0.577 of the size. The distance across opposite corners is twice the edge.
| Across flats | Edge length | Across corners |
|---|---|---|
| 5 mm | 2.9 mm | 5.8 mm |
| 10 mm | 5.8 mm | 11.5 mm |
| 1/2 in (12.7 mm) | 7.3 mm | 14.7 mm |
| 1 in (25.4 mm) | 14.7 mm | 29.3 mm |
Pointy top or flat top?
Hexagons can sit with a corner pointing up (pointy top) or with a flat side on top (flat top). Pointy-top grids run in horizontal rows that shift by half a hex, and flat-top grids run in vertical columns that shift by half a hex. Hex maps use both conventions, so match the one in your rulebook or software. Only whole hexagons are drawn, and the grid is centred on the page.
Hex grids for organic chemistry
Skeletal drawings of benzene and fused rings use regular hexagons with 120° angles. A hex grid lets you place rings edge to edge without a protractor. Choose 5 mm or 10 mm for notes, or a larger size when you want room to label atoms. For drawings in three dimensions, isometric graph paper gives a triangular grid instead.
How to draw a hexagon on graph paper
A regular hexagon cannot be drawn exactly on ordinary square graph paper, because its angles of 120° do not line up with the square cells. You can sketch an approximation, but on this page a hex grid does the work for you: trace around one cell for a regular hexagon of known size, or join cell centres to see how hexagons tile. For a plain 5 mm graph paper layout, switch back to squares.
Printing at true size
Print at 100% or Actual size, never “Fit to page”, so each hex keeps its size. The sheet has a small ruler at the bottom for checking; see the print at actual size guide for each browser.
Frequently asked questions
Is hexagonal paper the same as isometric paper?
No. Isometric paper is a grid of triangles, and hexagonal paper is a grid of hexagons. They are related: the centres of neighbouring hexagons form a triangular lattice, which is the pattern of an isometric grid.
What size hexes should I use for a board game map?
It depends on your tokens and miniatures. Check your rulebook or tokens first. Larger hexes such as 1 inch leave room for counters and miniatures, while 1/2 inch suits a pencil-and-paper map you draw by hand.
Can I print hex paper for chemistry homework?
Yes. Use a small hexagon size such as 10 mm and print on A4 or Letter. Tick Name and date line if your teacher asks for one.