Hexagonal Grid Paper
Hexagonal grid paper is printed with a honeycomb of regular hexagons that tile the page without gaps. Download hex grid templates in 7 sizes and 6 spacings for board-game maps, chemistry diagrams and design — free as PDF, PNG or SVG.
Key takeaways
- Every hexagon has six equal sides and touches six neighbours at the same distance.
- The spacing controls the hexagon size, from fine 2 mm cells to large 1 in tiles.
- All hex grid downloads are free and print at true scale.
Choose the finished page
Match the paper size to your printer, then pick portrait or landscape.
Configure the grid
Pick a theme, then fine-tune spacing, line color, dot size, opacity and margins.
Start from a practical setting
Jump to a ready template, then fine-tune the settings from there.
Hexagonal Grid Paper Templates
Ready-made hexagonal grid paper pages — click a card to load the preset, or grab the PDF and PNG directly.
How to use hexagonal grid paper
What is hexagonal grid paper?
Hexagonal grid paper is printed with a honeycomb of regular hexagons that tile the page without gaps. Each hexagon has 6 sides, and the cells share edges so they pack tightly. Game designers, cartographers and chemists use hex grids for board maps, territory layouts and molecular sketches.
Why hex grids beat square grids for maps
On a square grid, diagonal neighbours are further away than side neighbours. On a hex grid, all six neighbours are the same distance, so movement and range feel fairer in board games and more natural for territory maps.
Choosing a hex size
The spacing is roughly the size of one hexagon. Smaller values like 5 mm suit detailed maps and chemistry, while 1 cm tiles are easier to label for board games. The row stagger changes how the cells nest but not the hexagon diameter.
Pointy-top vs flat-top hexagons
Pointy-top hexagons point upward and stagger left to right, which suits tall, vertical maps. Flat-top hexagons point sideways and suit wide, landscape maps. Both tile the same area; the choice is about which direction reads best.
Hexagonal Grid Paper sizes and spacing
| Option | What it gives you | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 mm | Dense honeycomb | Strategic overview maps |
| 10–12 mm | Balanced density | RPG encounter maps |
| 15–20 mm | Fewer, larger cells | Miniatures and labelled regions |
Where hexagonal grid paper is used
Board games and maps
- Design RPG encounter and overworld maps
- Lay out hex wargame terrain
- Plan territories where every neighbour is equal — Isometric Grid Paper
Chemistry
- Sketch benzene rings and molecular structures
- Draw aromatic and carbon frameworks
- Practise bond angles and geometry
Design
- Draft honeycomb and tiling patterns
- Plan quilting and mosaic layouts — Triangle Grid Paper
- Prototype hex-based interfaces
Hex grid vs Square grid
| Feature | Hex grid | Square grid |
|---|---|---|
| Neighbour distance | All six neighbours equal | Diagonals further than sides |
| Movement feel | Fair in every direction | Faster on diagonals |
| Best for | Maps, games, chemistry | Maths, graphs, engineering |
Hexagonal Grid Paper examples
Hexagonal Grid Paper Downloads
84 templates across 7 paper sizes and 6 spacings. Each card links the PDF, PNG and SVG for that exact grid.
A4 — 210 × 297 mm (8.27 × 11.69 in)
Letter — 216 × 279 mm (8.5 × 11 in)
A3 — 297 × 420 mm (11.69 × 16.54 in)
A2 — 420 × 594 mm (16.54 × 23.39 in)
Legal — 216 × 356 mm (8.5 × 14 in)
Tabloid — 279 × 432 mm (11 × 17 in)
Poster — 457 × 610 mm (18 × 24 in)
How to print hexagonal grid paper
- Choose a paper size and hexagon size.
- Pick a line color for your map or diagram.
- Download the PDF for printing, or the SVG to edit the cells.
- Print at 100% scale so the hexagons stay regular and evenly spaced.
FAQ
What is hexagonal grid paper used for?
It is used for board game maps, war games, chemistry diagrams and any layout where every neighbouring cell is the same distance away.
How many sides does each hexagon have?
Six. The cells are regular hexagons with six equal sides, and they tile the page so each cell touches six others.
Is hex grid paper the same as graph paper?
No. Graph paper uses squares, where diagonal neighbours are further than side neighbours. Hex grids keep all six neighbours at the same distance.
Which spacing should I use for a hex grid?
The spacing is roughly the size of one hexagon. Smaller values like 5 mm suit detailed maps, while 1 cm suits board game tiles.
Are these hex grid downloads free?
Yes. All hexagonal grid PDF, PNG and SVG files are free to download and print with no login.
How do I measure the size of a hexagon?
Measure from the centre to any corner — that radius equals the length of one side. The spacing setting in the generator is roughly this radius, so a 5 mm setting gives hexagons about 5 mm per side.