HOW TO DRAW HEXAGONAL GRID

Have you ever wondered how to draw a hexagonal grid directly onto your backboard? In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to do it step by step using just a ruler and a compass.

This article focuses only on the drawing process — if you’re interested, you can also check out our guides on choosing the right backboard material and printing your layout at full scale. Since you’ll learn how to draw the layout directly on the board here, there’s no need to print the layout at full size — a smaller printout will work perfectly as a reference.

BOUNDING RECTANGLE

  • Every PDF layout includes dimension details. For example, the Mosaic – Layout #10 measures 950 mm × 930 mm. This rectangle represents the bounding area of the design. Another key measurement is the diameter of each block — in this case, 50 mm.

  • Choose a backboard size that comfortably fits the entire artwork. If you’d like to leave a 50 mm border, use a backboard sized 1050 mm × 1030 mm. On this board, draw the 950 mm × 930 mm bounding rectangle and align it to the center.

  • This preview is showing how the final Paragami blocks will look once they’re assembled and positioned.

FLOWER OF LIFE

  • You can draw a hexagonal layout using nothing more than a compass. The principle is the same as when creating the geometry of the Flower of Life. The key is to first locate the center point for your initial circle — once you have that, the rest will follow naturally.

  • Start in the bottom-left corner. Since each block has a diameter of 50 mm, draw your first circle with a 25 mm radius, placing its center point right in the corner.

  • The intersection between the circle and the X-axis marks the center point for your second circle. Continue this pattern — the intersection of each new circle defines the center for the next one.

  • Connect the intersections of the circles and draw a chord between them. Mark the points where these chords cross the X-axis.

  • Next, connect the ends of the chord. The midpoint of this line marks the center of the first circle in your hexagonal grid.

  • This line is parallel to the X-axis. Extend it to create guidelines for the following circles.

  • Now you can begin drawing the Flower of Life geometry. The radius remains 25 mm.

  • Each intersection between circles indicates the center point for the next circle.

  • These intersections also define the vertices of the hexagons.


  • It is recommended to extend your guiding lines and draw parallels to them. Small misalignments can multiply over time, so it’s a good idea to regularly verify that you are staying within the lines.

60°GUIDING LINES

  • You can also draw the hexagonal grid using only a ruler and lines set at 60°. To start, you need a grid layout where the diagonal of the last cell points toward the corner, as shown in the picture.

  • This line is set at a 30° angle from the vertical. The center points and edges of the future hexagonal cells are aligned with it.

  • Draw this line, then draw parallel lines to it. The horizontal offset between them, measured along the bounding line, should be 25 mm.

  • Do the same in the opposite direction, starting from the top right corner.

  • When finished, you will have a grid made of regular rhombuses. That’s all you need to start drawing hexagons.

  • Double-check the layout preview to see where the first cell starts — in this case, it’s not at the very top, but half a cell lower.