Isometric drawing shows a three-dimensional object on flat paper without perspective. Parallel edges stay parallel and every edge keeps its true length, which is why technicians and game artists like it.
How the grid works
Isometric paper is a grid of equilateral triangles. In the standard (vertical) orientation, one set of lines runs straight up and down and the other two sets run at 30 degrees above and below horizontal. Those three directions are your axes: one for height, one for width and one for depth.
Draw a cube in six steps
- Pick a starting point where three grid lines meet.
- Draw one vertical line up from the point. This is a vertical edge of the cube.
- From the bottom of that line, draw two lines to the upper left and upper right along the 30 degree grid lines, each the same length as the vertical line.
- From the top of the vertical line, draw two more lines along the same directions to form the top of the cube. Close the top by joining the ends.
- Draw verticals down from the left and right corners of the top.
- Join the bottoms of those verticals back to the starting point's lines to close the shape.
Use the grid intersections to count length. If each edge is three triangle sides long, count three along each axis.
Common mistakes
- Drawing at the wrong angle. Follow the grid lines rather than guessing 30 degrees.
- Mixing perspective with isometric. In isometric, edges do not shrink with distance.
- Using circles. A circle becomes an ellipse in isometric view. Start with boxes and add curves once you are comfortable.
Lines or dots?
Lines help beginners because you can trace along them. Dots are lighter and leave a cleaner drawing, which suits experienced artists. Both give the same structure.
Where to go next
Try stacking cubes to make steps, then draw simple furniture such as a table or a bookshelf. When you want to shade your drawings, imagine a light source and darken the same side of every box.
Print a sheet from the isometric paper generator, or try isometric dots.