A regular hexagon, also called a perfect hexagon, has six equal sides and six angles. In the following steps we will explain how to draw both a perfect hexagon and a freehand one. For an explanation of how it works geometrically, see the Why It Works section.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Draw a Perfect Hexagon Using the Compass
Step 1. Draw a circle with the compass
Insert the pencil into the compass. Use the compass with an opening appropriate to the size of the radius you need for your circle. Choose a suitable spot on the paper and point the compass at it. Move it gently until you draw a perfect circle.
Sometimes it may be easier to make a semicircle in one direction, stop, and repeat the operation in the opposite direction
Step 2. Now move the compass needle to the top of the circumference without changing its opening
Step 3. Make a small mark with the lead around the circumference
As it is a construction line, do not mark it excessively and always remember not to change the opening of the compass.
Step 4. Point the compass needle exactly where the mark you just made intersects the circumference
Step 5. Draw another mark on the circumference at the same distance from the previous one
Continue in the direction you started from, clockwise or counterclockwise.
Step 6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you have drawn six marks
You should find yourself where you started from. If not, the compass opening has probably changed, perhaps because you used too much force.
Step 7. Connect the points with a ruler
The six meeting points between the signs you have drawn and the circumference are the six vertices of the hexagon. Use ruler and pencil to draw a straight segment connecting each vertex with the closest one.
Step 8. Erase the construction lines
The construction lines include the initial circle, the marks placed on the circle and any other excess marks. After clearing all construction lines, the perfect hex is complete.
Method 2 of 3: Draw a Simple Hexagon Using a Round Object and a Ruler
Step 1. Draw a circle
The easiest way to do this is to trace the edge of an upside-down cup or glass. Use a pencil to do this, as the construction lines will be erased when finished. Alternatively, you can use any circular object.
Step 2. Using a ruler, book or any other straight-edged object, draw a horizontal line in the center of the circle
If you have a ruler, you can find the center by measuring the height of the circle and drawing the line exactly in the middle.
Step 3. Draw an X on the circle, thus dividing it into six equal parts
Since there is already a line that passes through the center of the circle, the X should not be too open, so that six equal parts are obtained. It may help to imagine that you need to divide a pizza into 6 equal slices.
Step 4. Turn the six sections into triangles
To do this, simply use a ruler and draw a line that joins each intersection point of the circle with the next, as shown in the figure. You will have to draw six lines, help yourself by imagining that you have to draw the 'crust' of your pizza slices.
Step 5. Erase the guidelines
These include the initial circle, the three lines that divide it into six sections, and any other excess signs.
Method 3 of 3: Draw a Simple Hexagon Using Only the Pencil
Step 1. Draw a horizontal line
To draw a straight line without a ruler, you will need to draw the start and end point of your line. Start tracing it from a point, always keeping an eye on the final point, that is, your destination. The line should only be a few centimeters or inches long.
Step 2. Draw two diagonal lines upwards, so that they start from the two ends of your horizontal line
Make each diagonal line form an angle of about 120 degrees to the horizontal line.
Step 3. Draw two more diagonal lines pointing inward on your design and starting from the end points of the two oblique lines you drew in the previous step
The lines you will have to draw must be the mirror projection of the two drawn previously. Looking at the image, the two lower diagonal lines will go outward from the horizontal line drawn in the first step, while the two upper lines will converge towards the top base of your hex.
Step 4. Draw a second horizontal line joining the ends of the two upper oblique lines
Ideally, the two horizontal lines of your hex should be parallel. This is the step that will complete your figure.
Advice
- The lead of the compass must be well pointed to minimize the error due to the thickness of the mark left on the paper.
- If, in the compass method, you connect a yes and a no vertex, you will find yourself drawing an equilateral triangle.
