Make printable hex grid paper for tabletop game maps, organic chemistry structures, quilting and tile designs. Choose the hex size, flat-top or pointy-top hexes, line color and optional hex numbers, and download a vector PDF that prints at the exact size.
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Page
Hexagons
Lines & labels
Line color
Layout
Page 1
Print at 100% / "Actual size" so the hexes keep their exact size.
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How to use the Hexagonal Graph Paper
Choose the page size and orientation of your paper.
Set the hex size. Pick a preset or type a size, and say whether it is measured across the flats, along one side or corner to corner.
Pick flat-top or pointy-top hexes and whether the grid should stop at whole hexes or fill the page to the margins.
Style it: choose a line color and weight, and turn on numbering, center dots or column shading if you need them.
Download the PDF (or a PNG) and print at 100% / "Actual size" so each hex keeps its exact size.
Hexagon measurements at a glance
A regular hexagon is fixed by one number. If the side length is s, then the width across the flats is √3 × s, the width from corner to corner is 2s, and the area is (3√3 ⁄ 2) × s². Neighboring hexes sit one flat-width apart, which is why maps are labeled by that distance.
Hex-and-counter style games with ½ in to ⅝ in counters
1 in (25.4 mm)
14.66 mm
29.33 mm
Battle maps for 1 in miniature bases
1½ in (38.1 mm)
22.0 mm
43.99 mm
Large bases, children's games, quilting templates
Flat top or pointy top?
Flat top: columns of hexes run straight up the page, with every other column shifted half a hex down. Centers are 1.5s apart horizontally and √3s apart vertically.
Pointy top: rows run straight across, with every other row shifted half a hex right. Centers are √3s apart horizontally and 1.5s apart vertically.
Numbering: column-row labels follow the columns of a flat-top map or the rows of a pointy-top map; the "Axial (q, r)" option uses the offset layout shown on screen (odd columns or odd rows shifted).
Tips for great hex maps
Use light lines for drawing on. Gray or light gray at the Fine weight stays visible under pencil and marker without overpowering your terrain.
Tile big maps. Print several pages with "Fill to the margins" and the same hex size, then trim the margins and tape the sheets edge to edge.
Center dots help when you measure movement or line of sight from hex to hex, and make it easy to place counters exactly.
Print at 100%. "Fit to page" scales the whole sheet by a few percent, which is enough to make a 1 in hex too small for a 1 in base.
Frequently asked questions
How is the size of a hexagon measured?
Hex maps are usually sized across the flats, the distance between two opposite straight sides. A regular hexagon with side length s measures √3 × s (about 1.732 s) across the flats and 2 s from corner to corner. So a 1 inch hex (across flats) has sides of about 0.577 in (14.66 mm) and is about 1.155 in from corner to corner.
What is the difference between flat-top and pointy-top hexes?
Flat-top hexes have a flat edge at the top and bottom and line up in vertical columns that zig-zag up and down. Pointy-top hexes have a corner at the top and line up in horizontal rows that shift left and right. Many hex-and-counter war games use flat-top columns, while pointy-top rows are common in board games and in chemistry drawings of fused rings.
What hex size should I use for miniatures and tabletop RPG maps?
1 inch hexes (across the flats) match the common 1 inch base used for 25-28 mm scale miniatures, so one figure fits in one hex. For overland or world maps where each hex is a region rather than a character position, ½ in or ¾ in hexes fit far more terrain on one sheet.
What do the hex numbers mean?
Column-row numbering prints a four-digit code such as 0305 for column 3, row 5, the style used on many war game maps so you can name any hex. Sequential numbering counts 1, 2, 3 across each row. Axial (q, r) coordinates are the system used in programming hex grids: moving to a neighbor changes q, r or both by one, which makes distances easy to calculate.
Why do whole hexes leave a gap at the edge of the page?
Hexagons rarely divide a page exactly, so the 'Whole hexes only' option fits as many complete hexes as possible and centers them, leaving even margins. Choose 'Fill to the margins' to continue the pattern right up to the margin, with partial hexes cut off at the edge.
Can I use hexagonal graph paper for organic chemistry?
Yes. Pointy-top hexes in a small size such as 5 mm or ¼ in give a ready-made lattice for drawing benzene rings, fused aromatic rings like naphthalene, and other six-membered ring structures with consistent bond angles of 120°.
Is the PDF free to print and share?
Yes. The hex paper is free with no sign-up and no watermark, and it is created entirely in your browser. You can print it for personal games, classrooms, clubs and projects.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.