3D Shape Nets

Build solids from a flat net

A net is the flattened, two-dimensional pattern that folds up into a three-dimensional solid. This generator prints a clean, branded net for the shape you choose, with solid lines showing where to cut and dashed lines showing where to fold. Small glue tabs are added along the joining edges so pupils can stick the model together neatly. It is a hands-on way to connect 2D shapes with the 3D solids they form, and it makes a satisfying maths or craft activity for the classroom or home.

Choose your shape

• Cube — six equal squares in a cross arrangement.
• Cuboid — a rectangular box with three pairs of matching faces.
• Square pyramid — a square base with four triangular sides.
• Triangular prism — three rectangles with two triangular ends.

Each net is sized to fit the page, so the finished model is big enough to handle easily.

Reading the lines

The legend at the top of the sheet shows the convention: solid lines are cut lines and dashed lines are fold lines. Pupils cut around the whole outline first, including the glue tabs, then score and fold every dashed line before applying glue to the tabs. Folding all the creases before gluing makes the solid much easier to assemble and gives crisper edges.

How to use it

1. Pick the 3D shape you want to build.
2. Toggle glue tabs and face labels on or off to suit the year group.
3. Add Name & Date fields if you are using it as a class set.
4. Preview the live PDF, then download or print on A4 or US Letter.

Teaching ideas

Use the nets to explore the properties of solids — count faces, edges and vertices once the model is built, or unfold a finished shape to revisit the flat net. Print several different shapes for a sorting and comparing task, or hide the labels and challenge pupils to predict which solid each net will make before they fold it.