Random Shape Generator
Generate random 2D shapes with their names and side counts, filtered by family.
What this tool does
This picks random 2D shapes from 24 named forms across four families: polygons, quadrilaterals, curved shapes and stars. Each is drawn as a vector with its name and side count, so it works as a teaching aid rather than only as decoration.
Draws shapes as real vectors and labels each with its name and number of sides.
Exports the whole set as a single SVG, which stays sharp at any size for a printed worksheet or a classroom display.
How to use it
- Tap a family chip, or leave it on Any.
- Pick how many shapes you want, and drag the size slider if they are going on a worksheet or on a screen at the back of a room.
- Press Generate, or press G, and adjust until the set suits.
- Click a shape to copy its name, or download the whole set as SVG.
Why use this generator
Shapes are a staple of worksheets, games and design exercises. Random shapes with names and side counts provide material for teaching and practice.
Why we built it
We built the random shape generator with real vector shapes and named side counts, so it works as a teaching aid. Measure shapes with the perimeter calculator and the area calculator.
Handy alongside this: the Random Football Score Generator, the Random Letter Generator and the Random Phone Number Generator.
Who this tool is for
- Teachers using shapes in lessons
- Designers wanting random geometry
- Parents making games for children
When to use it
- Making a geometry worksheet.
- Setting a drawing or design challenge.
- Playing shape-naming games.
- Generating props for classroom activities.
The four families
| Family | What it covers | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Polygons | Regular shapes with straight sides | Triangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon |
| Quadrilaterals | Four-sided shapes with distinct properties | Square, rhombus, kite, trapezium |
| Curved | Shapes with no straight edges | Circle, ellipse, semicircle, crescent |
| Stars and points | Concave shapes with points | Five-pointed star, arrow, cross |
The quadrilateral family is the one worth separating out. Square, rectangle, rhombus, parallelogram, trapezium and kite all have four sides, and the difference between them is exactly what gets tested - so a generator that lumps them in with pentagons is less useful for teaching.
Distinctions worth being precise about
A rhombus has four equal sides with opposite angles equal - a pushed-over square. A kite has two pairs of adjacent equal sides, which is a different thing entirely, and the two get confused constantly because both look like a diamond.
A trapezium (trapezoid in US usage) has exactly one pair of parallel sides. A parallelogram has two. Every square is a rectangle, every rectangle is a parallelogram, and every parallelogram is a quadrilateral - the categories nest, which is the part that makes the terminology feel slippery.
UK and US terminology diverges here: what the UK calls a trapezium, the US calls a trapezoid, and vice versa. Worth checking which convention your syllabus uses.
Using these in teaching
- Turn labels off to make identification flashcards, and back on for the answer sheet.
- Use the family filter to match the lesson - quadrilaterals alone are a whole topic.
- The SVG export prints at any size without going fuzzy, which matters for a wall display.
- The side count shown beneath each shape gives you a second question for free.
- Set a seed so every group gets the same set and results are comparable.
What you give it, and what you get back
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Family | Which shape family to draw from. |
| Count | How many shapes. |
| Output | Vector shapes with names and sides, exportable as one SVG. |
Issues you may run into
| What you see | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| An irregular shape is needed | Only regular polygons are drawn. | Draw it by hand. |
| A name differs from my region | UK and US terms vary. | Check the name used in your curriculum. |
| Shapes cannot be resized | They are fixed in proportion. | Scale the exported SVG. |
Assumptions and limitations
- Shapes are 2D only. No solids, nets or three-dimensional forms.
- Regular polygons only - there are no irregular or scalene variants.
- Shapes are drawn at a fixed proportion and cannot be resized individually.
- UK and US quadrilateral terminology differs; the UK convention is used here.
- 24 shapes in total, so long runs will repeat.
Frequently asked questions
What shapes are included?
24 named shapes across four families - regular polygons from triangle to dodecagon, the six main quadrilaterals, curved shapes including circle and crescent, and star and point shapes including the arrow and cross.
Can I filter by type of shape?
Yes - polygons, quadrilaterals, curved shapes, or stars and points. Quadrilaterals are separated out because the differences between them are usually a topic in their own right.
Can I use these in a worksheet?
Yes. Turn the labels off for an identification exercise and on for the answer sheet, and use the SVG export so the shapes stay sharp when printed at any size.
What format is the download?
SVG, which is a vector format. It stays crisp at any size and opens in any browser or design tool, unlike a bitmap that blurs when enlarged.
What is the difference between a rhombus and a kite?
A rhombus has four equal sides with opposite angles equal. A kite has two pairs of adjacent equal sides. Both look like a diamond, which is why they get confused, but only the rhombus has all four sides the same length.
Can I get the same shapes again?
Yes. Enter any word as a seed and the same seed produces the same set, which is useful when every group in a class needs identical shapes.