Create hex grids for maps and diagrams
Hexagonal graph paper replaces the square grid with a honeycomb of six-sided cells, which is the reason tabletop RPG designers and wargamers favor it for tactical maps. Unlike a square grid, every hex has six equidistant neighbors, so diagonal movement costs the same as orthogonal movement and combat ranges stay consistent in every direction. That same geometry makes hex paper the standard choice for organic chemistry ring diagrams, honeycomb-pattern textile charts, and any spatial-planning task where uniform adjacency matters. Our generator builds the grid directly in your browser, so you control hex size, orientation, and color before exporting a print-ready file.
Choose hex size and orientation
- Unit System: Choose millimeters (mm) or inches; every size field updates immediately.
- Hex Orientation: Select pointy-top (⬢) or flat-top (⬣) hexagons depending on your map style.
- Hex Size: Set the radius (center to vertex distance) from 5mm to 50mm, or 0.2in to 2in in imperial mode.
- Line Weight: Choose stroke thickness from extra-thin (0.1mm) to thick (0.8mm) for hexagon edges.
- Colors: Pick a custom line color from the palette and a background color that suits your map or diagram.
- Paper & Orientation: Select A4, A3, A5, or Letter, and set page orientation (landscape works well for wide maps).
- Page Margins: Adjust margins from 0 to 50mm and optionally center the grid within them.
- Preview: Check hex density and spacing on screen before committing to a download.
- Export: Download as PDF, PNG, or SVG once the grid looks right.
Hex controls
- Dual Orientation: Both pointy-top and flat-top hex grids are supported with a single toggle.
- Precise Sizing: Control hex radius from 5mm to 50mm (0.2in to 2in) for any map or diagram scale.
- Adjustable Line Weight: Five stroke options from 0.1mm to 0.8mm keep thin sketch lines or bold cut lines available.
- Custom Colors: Choose the hex line color and background color independently from a curated palette.
- Configurable Margins: Set page margins up to 50mm and center the grid horizontally or vertically.
- Instant Preview: See your hex grid update in real time as you change any setting.
- Print-Ready Output: Vector PDF and SVG stay crisp at any print size or zoom level.
Tabletop, games, and chemistry
- RPG Battle Maps: Design tactical combat grids for D&D, Pathfinder, and other tabletop wargames.
- Overworld & Campaign Maps: Sketch regional maps where hex cells represent a day's travel or a terrain zone.
- Board Games: Prototype hex-based strategy games, tile-placement games, and territory-control games.
- Organic Chemistry: Draw molecular structures, benzene rings, and carbon-chain diagrams with consistent angles.
- Video Game Level Design: Plan hex-tile map layouts and strategic level geometry before building in an engine.
- Tessellation & Pattern Studies: Create honeycomb patterns, quilting layouts, and geometric art studies.
Readable hex lines
- Standard RPG Scale: Use 12.7mm (0.5 inch) hex size to match 1-inch miniatures on a battle mat.
- Larger Miniatures: For 28mm-scale miniatures, a 15mm hex radius gives more breathing room per figure.
- Pointy-Top: Better for maps emphasizing vertical movement, like dungeon corridors and tower interiors.
- Flat-Top: Better for horizontal landscape maps, overworld travel, and wide terrain features.
- Thin Lines for Overlays: Use a 0.1mm or 0.2mm line weight when the hex grid will sit under hand-drawn or painted terrain.
Pointy-top vs flat-top
- Pointy-top: Hex points face up/down — common for vertical movement maps and many RPG boards.
- Flat-top: Flat edges face up/down — often preferred for landscape-oriented boards and some board-game layouts.
- Pick for the map, not habit: Switching orientation changes how columns and rows nest; regenerate a test sheet before printing a campaign set.
Understanding Hex Grid Geometry
- Radius as Hex Size: In a regular hexagon, the radius (center to any vertex) equals the length of each edge — that single number is all our tool needs to build the grid.
- Row and Column Offsets: Pointy-top hexes stack in offset horizontal rows; flat-top hexes stack in offset vertical columns. Choosing the right orientation avoids awkward half-hexes at the map edge.
- Six Equal Neighbors: Every interior hex touches exactly six others at equal distance, which is why hex grids measure movement and range more fairly than square grids with diagonals.
- Scale Consistency: Keeping the same hex radius across an entire campaign map ensures distances and travel times stay comparable from sheet to sheet.