Hexagon Template
Print hexagons at the exact size you need. Type the size as the side length, the width across the flats or the width from point to point, in inches, cm or mm: the other two are worked out for you (flat to flat = 1.732 × side, point to point = 2 × side). For English paper piecing, add a 1/4 in, 3/8 in, 7.5 mm or 1 cm seam allowance: the cutting line is drawn exactly that far outside the finished hexagon, which stays as a dashed line. Choose flat-top or pointy-top hexagons and a sheet of templates packed tightly on the page (18 one-inch hexagons on a US Letter page, 11 with a 1/4 in allowance), a honeycomb sheet where the cells share their edges, or one big hexagon with its three measurements drawn on it. Add size labels, centre dots or a honey or pastel fill. 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) and measure the check bar. With a seam allowance, cut fabric on the solid line; the dashed line is the finished hexagon (the paper piece).
Size
Sheet
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How to print a hexagon template
- Type the size and choose whether it is the side, the width flat to flat or the width point to point.
- Pick a sheet: templates to cut, a honeycomb sheet, or one hexagon with its measurements.
- For English paper piecing, choose a seam allowance. Leave it on None for the paper pieces themselves.
- Download the PDF and print at 100% (Actual size). Measure the check bar to be sure.
- Cut on the solid lines. With a seam allowance, the dashed line is the finished hexagon.
What you can use it for
- English paper piecing (EPP) papers and fabric cutting templates
- Hexagon quilts such as a flower garden
- Classroom shape and tessellation lessons
- Bee and honeycomb crafts and party decorations
- Board game and tabletop map tiles
- Garden, tile and wall layout mock-ups
Hexagon sizes for English paper piecing
| Side | Flat to flat | Point to point | Cut size with 1/4 in allowance (flat to flat) | Per Letter page | Per Letter page with 1/4 in | Per A4 page with 1/4 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 in | 0.866 in (22 mm) | 1 in (25.4 mm) | 1.366 in (34.7 mm) | 68 | 28 | 30 |
| 3/4 in | 1.299 in (33 mm) | 1 1/2 in (38.1 mm) | 1.799 in (45.7 mm) | 30 | 16 | 18 |
| 1 in | 1.732 in (44 mm) | 2 in (50.8 mm) | 2.232 in (56.7 mm) | 18 | 11 | 11 |
| 1 1/4 in | 2.165 in (55 mm) | 2 1/2 in (63.5 mm) | 2.665 in (67.7 mm) | 11 | 5 | 6 |
| 1 1/2 in | 2.598 in (66 mm) | 3 in (76.2 mm) | 3.098 in (78.7 mm) | 6 | 4 | 5 |
| 2 in | 3.464 in (88 mm) | 4 in (101.6 mm) | 3.964 in (100.7 mm) | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 in | 5.196 in (132 mm) | 6 in (152.4 mm) | 5.696 in (144.7 mm) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Counts are for flat-top templates with a 4 mm gap between cutting lines. Pointy-top can fit a different number; the info line under the preview shows the count for your settings.
Side, flat to flat and point to point
| Measurement | What it is | From the side s |
|---|---|---|
| Side | One edge | s |
| Flat to flat | Width between two opposite edges | √3 × s ≈ 1.732 s |
| Point to point | Width between two opposite corners | 2 × s |
| Apothem | Centre to the middle of an edge | √3 ÷ 2 × s ≈ 0.866 s |
| Perimeter | All six edges | 6 s |
| Area | Inside the hexagon | 3√3 ÷ 2 × s² ≈ 2.598 s² |
| Cutting side with allowance a | Edges moved out by a | s + 2a ÷ √3 |
Honeycomb sheets
| Side | Whole cells (flat top, Letter) | Whole cells (pointy top, Letter) | Whole cells (flat top, A4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 in | 95 | 96 | 99 |
| 1 in | 20 | 21 | 20 |
| 1 1/2 in | 9 | 6 | 6 |
| 2 in | 4 | 3 | 4 |
In a honeycomb sheet the cells share their edges, so it is ready for colouring, games or a bee craft. For a seamless honeycomb pattern on screen instead, use the Honeycomb Pattern Generator.
Which tool to use
| You want | Use |
|---|---|
| Hexagons to print and cut at an exact size | Hexagon Template (this page) |
| A seamless honeycomb pattern for screens, or a hex tile count | Honeycomb Pattern Generator |
| A square-block quilt with a cutting list | Quilt Pattern Maker |
| A hexagonal prism or pyramid to fold | 3D Shape Nets |
Also handy: the Quilt Pattern Maker, the 3D Shape Nets and Isometric Graph Paper.
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Frequently asked questions
How is a hexagon measured?
Three ways. The side length is one edge. Flat to flat is the width between two opposite edges: 1.732 (√3) × the side. Point to point is the width between two opposite corners: 2 × the side. A hexagon with 1 in sides is 1.732 in flat to flat and 2 in point to point. Type whichever you know; the tool works out the rest.
What size are English paper piecing hexagons?
EPP hexagons are named by their side length: a 1 in hexagon has 1 in sides. Popular sizes run from 1/2 in to 2 in, with 3/4 in and 1 in the most used for flower garden quilts. The table below gives the widths and how many fit on a page.
How much seam allowance do I need for EPP?
Most quilters use 1/4 in to 3/8 in of fabric around the paper. Choose it under Seam allowance: the solid line is your fabric cutting line and the dashed line is the finished hexagon, the size of the paper piece. The cutting line is exactly the allowance outside every edge.
Is the seam allowance just a bigger hexagon?
Yes, and the size is exact: moving each edge out by the allowance makes a larger regular hexagon whose side is the finished side + 2 × allowance ÷ √3. For a 1 in hexagon with a 1/4 in allowance, the cutting hexagon has 1.289 in sides and is 2.232 in flat to flat.
Flat top or pointy top?
It is the same hexagon turned by 30°. Flat top has an edge at the top and bottom; pointy top has a corner at the top. Pick whichever fits your layout or packs more on the page.
How many hexagons fit on a page?
It depends on the size and the allowance: 18 one-inch hexagons on US Letter, 11 with a 1/4 in allowance. The templates are packed in offset rows with a 4 mm gap between cutting lines, and the info line under the preview gives the count.
Is the print accurate?
Yes, when printed at 100% (Actual size). Every corner is calculated, and our tests read the PDF back and check every hexagon’s position and size to within 0.2 mm on US Letter and A4. Measure the check bar before cutting.
Can I print one large hexagon?
Yes. Choose One hexagon with its measurements: the side, flat-to-flat and point-to-point lines are drawn from its own corners. Up to 3.75 in side fits on US Letter.
Is it free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, no watermark and no limit.
Is anything uploaded?
No. The templates are drawn by JavaScript in your browser and nothing you type is sent anywhere.