Math Figures Prism Generator
8 cm3 cm5 cm

Rectangular, triangular and other prisms, drawn to scale

The Prism Generator draws a prism to scale from the measures you type: a rectangular prism (a box), a prism on a right or isosceles triangle, or one on a regular polygon of 3 to 8 sides. Each measure can be labeled with its number and unit, with text like x, or left off, and the edges round the back are dashed.

Teachers use it for volume and surface area questions, from counting a box’s dimensions to finding a missing edge from a given volume. A triangular prism lies on its side, the way textbooks draw it, unless you stand it up, and any prism standing on its base can lean as an oblique prism.

What you can set

  • Base: a rectangle, a right triangle, an isosceles triangle, or a regular polygon of 3 to 8 sides
  • Standing on its base or lying on its side, for a triangular or polygon base
  • Right or oblique, leaning left or right, with any two of the height, the lean and the slanted edge
  • Each measure typed as a number, a fraction or with √, and labeled with its measure, text like x, or nothing
  • The hypotenuse or slanted side of a triangle base, and the apothem of a polygon base, worked out and labeled if you want
  • Hidden edges dashed or left off, the height, and right-angle squares
  • A unit (cm, m, mm, in, ft, yd, units or your own), rounding for worked-out measures, and corner names
  • Which way the depth goes back, and labels you can drag on the figure

Copying, printing and sharing

Copy the figure straight into a test, worksheet or slide, or download it as a PNG or SVG. Printing the page prints just the figure. Share link copies the page’s address with your settings in it, so anyone who opens it sees this exact figure, and presets save settings you use often in your browser. It’s free, with no sign-up.

Example figures

Frequently asked questions

How do I label the height as x instead of a number?

Type a height so the prism is drawn to scale, then click the label button beside Height and choose Text, and type x. The figure shows x while the prism keeps its shape.

Can I show the hypotenuse of a triangular prism?

Yes. With a right triangle base, the hypotenuse is worked out from the base and the triangle’s height. It isn’t labeled at first; click its label button and choose Measure to show it, or Text to label it x.

How do I draw an oblique prism?

Under Stands, choose Oblique, then give any two of the height, the lean and the slanted edge; the third is worked out. The height is drawn dashed from the top straight down to the base’s extended line. A prism lying on its side can’t be oblique.

Does it work out the volume?

No. It works out missing measures, such as a hypotenuse, an apothem or a slanted edge, but never writes the volume or surface area, so the figure doesn’t give the answer away.

Can I turn off the dashed hidden edges?

Yes. Under Lines, turn off Hidden edges to leave only the edges you would see from the front.

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