34 Types of Geometric Shapes to Learn

Shapes are all around us, from the pages of our books to the buildings we live in. However, understanding these shapes can sometimes feel tricky.

Don’t worry—I’m here to help! In this blog post, I’ll explain the different types of geometric shapes in a way that’s easy to grasp.

You’ll learn about basic shapes like squares and circles and more complex ones like polygons and 3D figures.

By the end, you’ll have a solid grasp of geometry basics, which can help in everything from math class to everyday problem-solving.

Let’s start our shape adventure together!

2D Geometric Shapes (Flat Shapes)

These shapes have length and width but no depth.

1. Triangle

A triangle is a polygon with three sides and three angles. It is one of the simplest geometric shapes and forms the basis of many more complex structures.

• Example: Equilateral triangle, right triangle.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Triangles are widely used in construction (e.g., trusses) and art due to their stability and simplicity.

Properties:

• Has 3 sides and 3 angles.
• The sum of all angles in a triangle is always 180°.
• It can be categorized into equilateral, isosceles, or scalene based on the lengths of sides.

2. Square

A square is a polygon with four equal sides and four right angles. It is a regular quadrilateral and one of the most common shapes in geometry.

• Example: The faces of a cube are squares.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Squares are used in tiling, architecture, and game boards due to their symmetry and uniformity.

Properties:

• All four sides are equal.
• Each angle is 90° (right angle).
• The opposite sides are parallel.

3. Rectangle

A rectangle is a quadrilateral with equal opposite sides and four right angles. It is commonly used in design and architecture.

• Example: A door or window frame is usually rectangular.
• Applications in Geometry and the Real World: Rectangles are used in art, floor plans, and packaging design because they efficiently use space.

Properties:

• Opposite sides are equal in length.
• Each angle is 90°.
• Opposite sides are parallel.

4. Circle

A circle is a set of points in a plane that are equidistant from a central point. It is one of the most symmetrical shapes with no corners or edges.

• Example: Wheels, coins, and plates are typically circular.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Due to their rotational symmetry, circles are used in everything from mechanical design (gears) to art and architecture.

Properties:

• All points on the circle are equidistant from the center.
• There are no sides or angles.
• The ratio of circumference to diameter is constant (π ≈ 3.14159).

5. Oval

An oval, also called an ellipse, is a stretched circle whose shape is determined by two focal points. Ovals are often found in nature and design.

• Example: The shape of an egg or a running track.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Ovals are commonly found in architecture, automotive design, and orbital paths in space science.

Properties:

• Has a longer axis (major axis) and a shorter axis (minor axis).
• Symmetrical along both axes.
• No corners or straight edges.

6. Pentagon

A pentagon is a five-sided polygon. In its regular form, all sides and angles are equal. Pentagons are often seen in patterns and symbols.

• Example: The shape of the Pentagon building in Washington, D.C.
• Applications in Geometry and the Real World: Pentagons create complex designs in tiling patterns and architecture.

Properties:

• Has 5 sides and 5 angles.
• The sum of the internal angles is 540°.
• It can be regular (all sides equal) or irregular.

7. Hexagon

A hexagon is a six-sided polygon. In its regular form, all sides and angles are equal. Hexagons are found in both natural and man-made structures.

• Example: The honeycomb structure in a beehive.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Hexagons are commonly seen in nature and are used in tiling, road networks, and architectural designs.

Properties:

• Has 6 sides and 6 angles.
• The sum of the internal angles is 720°.
• It can be regular (all sides equal) or irregular.

8. Heptagon

A heptagon is a seven-sided polygon that is less commonly seen in everyday life but used in geometry to construct certain shapes.

• Example: A 50-pence coin is a heptagon.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Heptagons are used in coin design and tiling patterns to create unique, symmetrical structures.

Properties:

• Has 7 sides and 7 angles.
• The sum of the internal angles is 900°.
• It can be regular or irregular.

9. Octagon

An octagon is an eight-sided polygon commonly used in design and architecture due to its symmetry.

• Example: Stop signs are usually octagonal.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Octagons are used in traffic signs, tiling, and architectural elements for aesthetic balance.

Properties:

• Has 8 sides and 8 angles.
• The sum of the internal angles is 1080°.
• It can be regular or irregular.

10. Nonagon

A nonagon is a nine-sided polygon that is less commonly used but appears in certain geometrical constructs and design elements.

• Example: Nonagonal patterns can be found in some tiling designs.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Nonagons are used in unique architectural designs and in geometric problem-solving.

Properties:

• Has 9 sides and 9 angles.
• The sum of the internal angles is 1260°.
• Can be regular or irregular.

11. Decagon

A decagon is a ten-sided polygon with equal sides and angles when regular. Decagons are less common in daily life but have unique applications in design.

• Example: Some coins and decorative tiling use decagonal patterns.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Decagons are used in design elements and in theoretical geometry.

Properties:

• Has 10 sides and 10 angles.
• The sum of the internal angles is 1440°.
• Can be regular or irregular.

12. Parallelogram

A parallelogram is a quadrilateral in which opposite sides are parallel and equal in length. It is commonly used in practical applications like design and architecture.

• Example: The shape of a slanted rectangle or diamond.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Parallelograms are used in tiling, construction, and artwork due to their symmetry and balance.

Properties:

• Opposite sides are parallel and equal.
• Opposite angles are equal.
• The sum of the internal angles is 360°.

13. Rhombus

A rhombus is a quadrilateral with all four sides equal in length but with opposite angles equal rather than all being 90°. It is a versatile shape used in design and geometry.

• Example: A diamond-shaped kite.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Rhombuses are used in decorative tiling, kites, and many other geometric designs.

Properties:

• All sides are equal.
• Opposite angles are equal.
• The sum of the internal angles is 360°.

14. Trapezoid (Trapezium)

A trapezoid is a quadrilateral with at least one pair of opposite sides parallel. Because of its unique shape, it is widely used in architectural and design applications.

• Example: A bridge support or roof slope.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Trapezoids are often used in design, architecture, and tiling patterns.

Properties:

• Has one pair of parallel sides.
• The sum of the internal angles is 360°.

15. Kite

A kite is a quadrilateral with two distinct pairs of equal adjacent sides. Due to its symmetrical properties, it is used in design and crafting.

• Example: The shape of a flying kite.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Due to their aerodynamic shape, kites are used in aviation design, crafting, and artwork.

Properties:

• Two pairs of adjacent sides are equal.
• One pair of opposite angles are equal.
• The sum of the internal angles is 360°.

16. Semicircle

A semicircle is half of a circle formed by cutting a circle along its diameter. It is often used in geometry and design due to its smooth, curved shape.

• Example: The shape of a protractor or an arch.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Semicircles are used in architecture, design, and measurement tools like protractors.

Properties:

• Has one curved side (half a circle) and one straight side (the diameter).
• The sum of the angles along the diameter is 180°.

17. Quadrilateral

A quadrilateral is any four-sided polygon, including squares, rectangles, parallelograms, and more. It is a foundational shape in geometry.

• Example: A basic four-sided figure.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Quadrilaterals are foundational in design, architecture, and problem-solving in geometry.

Properties:

• Has 4 sides and 4 angles.
• The sum of the internal angles is always 360°.

3D Geometric Shapes (Solid Shapes)

These shapes have length, width, and depth.

18. Cube

A cube is a 3D shape with six equal square faces, eight vertices, and twelve equal edges. It is one of the simplest and most symmetrical 3D shapes in geometry.

• Example: Dice, Rubik’s cube.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Cubes are used in architecture, design, and gaming because of their symmetry and equal dimensions.

Properties:

• 6 equal square faces.
• 12 equal edges.
• 8 vertices, each connecting three edges.

19. Cuboid

A cuboid is a 3D shape with six rectangular faces. Unlike a cube, the faces of a cuboid can have different dimensions.

• Example: Bricks, boxes, books.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Cuboids are commonly seen in packaging, construction, and design because of their versatility in storing and stacking.

Properties:

• 6 rectangular faces.
• 12 edges (opposite edges are equal).
• 8 vertices, each connecting three edges.

20. Sphere

A sphere is a perfectly round 3D shape where every point on the surface is equidistant from the center. It has no edges or vertices.

• Example: Basketball, planet Earth.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Spheres are used in ball sports, astronomy (planets), and in design where uniform curvature is needed.

Properties:

• No edges, faces, or vertices.
• All points on the surface are equidistant from the center.
• Has a constant diameter.

21. Cylinder

A cylinder is a 3D shape with two identical circular faces connected by a curved surface. It has no vertices and is often used in everyday objects.

• Example: Cans, water pipes.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Cylinders are used in engineering, construction (pipes), and packaging due to their efficient shape.

Properties:

• 2 circular faces.
• 1 curved surface connecting the faces.
• No vertices.

22. Cone

A cone is a 3D shape with a circular base and a single vertex where the sides taper to a point. It is often used in both geometry and design.

• Example: Traffic cones, ice cream cones.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Cones are used in architecture (towers, domes), and design elements, as well as in everyday items like ice cream cones.

Properties:

• 1 circular base.
• 1 vertex where the sides meet.
• 1 curved surface.

23. Pyramid

A pyramid is a 3D shape with a polygonal base and triangular faces that meet at a single point called the apex. The base can be any polygon, making pyramids versatile in geometry.

• Example: The Great Pyramid of Giza.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Pyramids are used in architecture and art due to their stable structure and aesthetic appeal.

Properties:

• Polygonal base (can vary in shape).
• Triangular faces.
• Apex where all triangular faces meet.

24. Square Pyramid

A square pyramid has a square base with four triangular faces that meet at the apex. It is a specific type of pyramid used in many classical structures.

• Example: The Louvre Pyramid in Paris.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Square pyramids are seen in architecture, monuments, and geometric modeling due to their balanced structure.

Properties:

• Square base.
• 4 triangular faces.
• Apex where all triangular faces meet.

25. Triangular Pyramid

A triangular pyramid, also known as a tetrahedron, has a triangular base with three additional triangular faces. It is the simplest type of pyramid.

• Example: Molecular structures, pyramid-shaped dice.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Triangular pyramids are used in chemistry (molecular structures) and in gaming as dice or models.

Properties:

• Triangular base.
• 3 triangular faces.
• Apex where all triangular faces meet.

26. Prism

A prism is a 3D shape with two identical polygonal faces connected by rectangular faces. The shape of the polygon base defines the type of prism.

• Example: Glass prisms used to disperse light.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Prisms are used in optics (glass prisms), and in architectural designs where uniformity is needed.

Properties:

• Two identical polygonal faces.
• Rectangular faces connecting the bases.
• No vertices between the faces, but vertices exist at the base.

27. Triangular Prism

A triangular prism has two triangular faces connected by three rectangular faces. It is commonly used in optics and design.

• Example: Glass triangular prism for light refraction.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Triangular prisms are used in physics experiments and architecture due to their unique light-refracting properties.

Properties:

• 2 triangular faces.
• 3 rectangular faces connecting the triangles.
• 6 vertices.

28. Rectangular Prism

A rectangular prism is a prism with two rectangular faces and four additional rectangular faces connecting them. It is also referred to as a cuboid.

• Example: Shoebox, building blocks.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Rectangular prisms are widely used in construction, design, and packaging due to their simplicity and efficient shape.

Properties:

• 2 rectangular faces.
• 4 additional rectangular faces connecting the bases.
• 8 vertices.

29. Pentagonal Prism

A pentagonal prism has two identical pentagonal faces connected by five rectangular faces. It is often used in architecture and design.

• Example: Some modern architectural buildings use pentagonal designs.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Pentagonal prisms are used in unique architectural designs and as a base for 3D geometric modeling.

Properties:

• 2 pentagonal faces.
• 5 rectangular faces.
• 10 vertices.

30. Tetrahedron

A tetrahedron is a 3D shape with four triangular faces. It is the simplest type of polyhedron and is used in both geometry and molecular chemistry.

• Example: Carbon atoms in diamond structure.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Tetrahedrons are used in chemistry (molecular structures), gaming (dice), and architecture.

Properties:

• 4 triangular faces.
• 6 edges.
• 4 vertices.

31. Dodecahedron

A dodecahedron is a polyhedron with twelve pentagonal faces. It is one of the five Platonic solids and is used in both theoretical geometry and design.

• Example: Some gaming dice have dodecahedron shapes.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Dodecahedrons are used in 3D modeling, architecture, and theoretical geometry.

Properties:

• 12 pentagonal faces.
• 30 edges.
• 20 vertices.

32. Icosahedron

An icosahedron is a 3D shape with 20 triangular faces. It is another Platonic solid used in geometric modeling and design.

• Example: The structure of some viruses and gaming dice.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Icosahedrons are used in molecular biology, game design, and 3D modeling.

Properties:

• 20 triangular faces.
• 30 edges.
• 12 vertices.

33. Ellipsoid

An ellipsoid is a 3D shape that is a stretched sphere, having different lengths along its axes. It can be seen in both nature and geometry.

• Example: The shape of Earth is an ellipsoid.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Ellipsoids are used in astronomy (planetary shapes), physics, and 3D modeling.

Properties:

• Smooth curved surface.
• Varying lengths along three axes.
• No vertices or edges.

34. Torus

A torus is a donut-shaped 3D shape, with a hole in the center and a circular cross-section. It is frequently used in geometry and design.

• Example: Inner tubes, donuts.
• Applications in Geometry and Real World: Toruses are used in mechanical design, architecture, and even in theoretical mathematics.

Properties:

• Circular surface with a hole in the middle.
• No edges or vertices.
• Circular cross-section.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve explored various geometric shapes, from simple squares to complex polyhedrons, I hope you feel more confident about geometry.

Remember, these shapes aren’t just math concepts – they’re all around us in the real world. Next time you’re out, try spotting different shapes in buildings, nature, or even your own home. It’s a fun way to practice what you’ve learned!

Why does this matter? Understanding shapes can boost your problem-solving skills and spatial awareness. It’s useful in many fields, from art to engineering.

What’s next? Keep learning! Try drawing these shapes or making 3D models. And if you enjoyed this guide, why not share it with a friend who might find it helpful?

Let’s spread the love for geometry together!