Henna Designs
Print henna designs to practise and plan your mehndi: 11 of our own patterns, from a mandala centre and a paisley (keri) palm to a diagonal Arabic-style trail, a lotus with arches, a peacock-style feather, a geometric lattice and a full bridal net. Each design is drawn on a true-size outline of a palm, the back of a hand, a foot or a wrist cuff, left or right, in child to large sizes, at three levels from simple to bridal. Print the design at full size, a practice sheet that has you trace the design in grey and then draw it freehand, a motif sheet with 12 motifs to trace, or a stencil with every line cut as a narrow slot and small bridges that hold it together. Download a PDF on US Letter or A4, a 300 DPI PNG, or an SVG. Nothing is uploaded.
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Print at 100% (Actual size) so the outline matches the size you chose.
Design
Outline
Runs in your browser with our own code and our own designs: nothing you choose is uploaded, and nothing is saved. Print at 100% (Actual size). You may use what you make here, including commercially, with no credit needed.
How to use the henna designs
- Choose a design and the detail: simple, medium or bridal.
- Choose the outline (palm, back of the hand, foot or wrist cuff), the size and the side, or both sides.
- Pick what to print: the design at full size, a practice sheet, the motif sheet or a stencil.
- Download the PDF and print at 100% (Actual size) on US Letter or A4.
- Practise with a pen or an empty cone on paper first: trace the grey lines, then draw the design freehand in the blank outline.
What you can use it for
- Practising mehndi on paper before a wedding, Eid or Diwali
- Planning a design with a client before you start
- Learning the motifs one at a time
- A cut-out stencil for quick, even designs
- Colouring and pattern practice for kids and adults
- Art and culture lessons on henna traditions
The 11 designs
| Design | What it looks like | Shapes: simple | Medium | Bridal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mandala centre | A round rosette in the centre with fingertips and finger bands | 15 | 93 | 325 |
| Diagonal trail (Arabic style) | A bold diagonal trail of flowers and leaves with open skin around it | 36 | 177 | 336 |
| Paisley (keri) centre | A large paisley in the middle with echo lines, dots and small leaves | 9 | 61 | 209 |
| Lotus and arches | A lotus low on the palm under rows of arches | 30 | 65 | 168 |
| Peacock-style feather | A long feather across the palm with dotted fingers | 46 | 69 | 112 |
| Geometric lattice | A diamond lattice with dots, zigzag finger bands and a chevron cuff | 36 | 97 | 276 |
| Minimal fingertips | Filled fingertips and a small flower: quick and simple | 13 | 41 | 80 |
| Floral vine | A leafy vine from the middle finger down to the wrist, with flowers | 32 | 145 | 272 |
| Bridal net (jaal) | A net of small flowers joined by lines over the whole palm | 116 | 252 | 476 |
| Finger bands and cuff | Bands on every finger and a wide bracelet, with a small centre motif | 103 | 139 | 209 |
| Swirls and leaves | Curling swirls with leaves and dot trios | 14 | 79 | 146 |
Shape counts are read from the tool for the right palm at medium size. Our tests check every design at every level on every outline, left and right, and that every line stays inside the hand or foot outline.
Outlines and sizes
| Outline | Size | Width × height | On US Letter | On A4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand: palm | Child | 120 × 145 mm | full size | full size |
| Hand: palm | Small | 136 × 165 mm | full size | full size |
| Hand: palm | Medium | 148 × 180 mm | full size | full size |
| Hand: palm | Large | 161 × 195 mm | full size | full size |
| Hand: back of the hand | Child | 120 × 145 mm | full size | full size |
| Hand: back of the hand | Small | 136 × 165 mm | full size | full size |
| Hand: back of the hand | Medium | 148 × 180 mm | full size | full size |
| Hand: back of the hand | Large | 161 × 195 mm | full size | full size |
| Foot (top) | Small | 106 × 170 mm | full size | full size |
| Foot (top) | Medium | 119 × 190 mm | full size | full size |
| Foot (top) | Large | 131 × 210 mm | full size | full size |
| Wrist cuff band | Small | Small (150 × 47 mm) | full size | full size |
| Wrist cuff band | Medium | Medium (170 × 53 mm) | full size | full size |
| Wrist cuff band | Large | Large (190 × 59 mm) | full size | scaled to 97% |
Heights are measured from the wrist (or ankle) line to the tip of the middle finger (or longest toe). Print at 100% (Actual size) to keep them true.
What you can print
| Sheet | What is on it | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Design at full size | The outline with the design in black | Planning, or copying on to skin by eye |
| Practice sheet | The design in grey to trace, beside a blank outline | Tracing first, then drawing freehand |
| Motif sheet | 12 motifs in grey, each beside an empty box | Learning one motif at a time |
| Stencil | Every line as a narrow cut slot with small bridges | Cutting a reusable stencil |
Motifs on the practice sheet: Paisley (keri), Rosette, Lotus, Leaf, Feather, Swirl, Leafy vine, Dot trio, Arches, Finger band, Lattice, Bracelet band.
Styles in brief
| Style | What to look for | Designs here |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic style | A bold diagonal trail of flowers and leaves with open skin around it | Diagonal trail, Floral vine |
| Indian and Pakistani bridal style | Fine detail over the whole palm, fingers and wrist | Bridal net (jaal), Mandala centre, Paisley centre at the bridal level |
| Geometric style | Straight lines, diamonds and lattices | Geometric lattice, Finger bands and cuff |
| Minimal | Fingertips, a small flower or a single band | Minimal fingertips, Swirls and leaves at the simple level |
These are broad labels that galleries use; real henna art varies from family to family and artist to artist. Our designs are our own drawings, made for practice and ideas.
A note on safety
In the US, the FDA approves henna only as a hair dye, not for direct application to the skin, and warns that so-called “black henna” is often darkened with a coal-tar hair dye containing PPD (p-phenylenediamine), which can cause dangerous skin reactions in some people (FDA fact sheet on temporary tattoos, henna/mehndi and “black henna”, content current as of 15 October 2024).
Tips for practising
- Practise on paper with a fine pen or an empty cone before you work on skin.
- Draw the outline of each motif first, then the inner lines, then the dots.
- Turn the paper so every stroke is a comfortable one.
- Fill the fingertips last, so you do not smudge the lines.
More to draw and print: the Mandala Maker for round symmetric designs, the Rangoli Design Generator and Kolam Design Generator for floor designs, and the Tattoo Stencil Maker to turn your own drawing into a true-size stencil.
More free tools
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Frequently asked questions
What is henna?
Henna is a dye made from the dried, powdered leaves of the henna plant, Lawsonia inermis. Its dye molecule, lawsone, stains skin, hair and nails a red-brown colour that is darkest on the hands and feet. The plant is believed to have come from the Middle East and North Africa and is now grown around the world.
Is mehndi the same as henna?
Mehndi is the name used across South Asia for henna and for the art of drawing designs with it. Henna designs and mehndi designs mean the same patterns: this page covers both.
When is henna worn?
Henna is worn for weddings and festivals in many cultures: the night of the henna before a wedding, Eid and Hari Raya, Diwali (Deepavali) and many family celebrations. It is a symbol of joy in Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.
What is “black henna”?
In the US, the FDA approves henna only as a hair dye, not for direct application to the skin, and warns that so-called “black henna” is often darkened with a coal-tar hair dye containing PPD (p-phenylenediamine), which can cause dangerous skin reactions in some people (FDA fact sheet on temporary tattoos, henna/mehndi and “black henna”, content current as of 15 October 2024). Ask what is in any paste before it goes on skin, and avoid “black henna”.
Which design is best for beginners?
Minimal fingertips, the paisley centre and the lotus at the simple level use a few clear shapes. Print the motif sheet and practise each motif until the line is smooth, then move on to the medium and bridal levels.
What is a bridal mehndi design?
A bridal design covers the palm, fingers and wrist with fine detail, such as the full net (jaal), the mandala centre or the lattice at the bridal level. Choose Both to print the left and right hands.
What do the motifs mean?
The motifs are shapes found across henna art: the teardrop paisley (often called keri in South Asia), the lotus, leafy vines, round rosettes, peacock-style feathers, dots and lattices. Meanings differ between families and regions, so we describe the shapes and not their meanings.
How do I use the stencil?
Print it on paper or card, or on stencil film your printer can take, and cut out every black-outlined shape with a craft knife. The small gaps between cuts are bridges: leave them, so the stencil stays in one piece.
Will the outline fit my hand?
Measure your hand from the wrist crease to the tip of your middle finger and choose the closest size. If an outline is too big for the paper, the sheet says so and prints it scaled down.
Can I use the designs for my business?
Yes. The designs are our own drawings: use them for practice, for clients and in things you sell. You do not have to credit us.
Is it free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, no watermark and no limit.
Is anything uploaded?
No. The sheets are drawn by JavaScript in your browser and nothing leaves your device. Nothing is saved when you close the page.