Geometric Net

Pronunciation: /ˌdʒi.əˈmɛt.rɪk nɛt/ Explain

A geometric net is a 2-dimensional shape that folds into a 3-dimensional shape, usually a polyhedron. Each side of the polyhedron is a polygon. The simplest nets have four sides and are called tetrahedra.

There can be multiple nets that fold into the same 3-dimensional figure. Here are a few examples of nets of cubes:

Not every 2-dimensional figure of polygons can be folded into a 3-dimensional shape. Here are some figures with six squares that are not nets of cubes:

Printable Nets

Example	Name	Printable Net
	Cube	net_cube.pdf
	Cuboctahedron	net_cuboctahedron.pdf
	Dodecahedron	net_dodecahedron.pdf
	Elongated Triangular Pyramid	net_elong_triangular_pyramid.pdf
	Great Stellated Dodecahedron	net_g_stelltd_dodecahedron.pdf
	Icosahedron	net_icosahedron.pdf
	Icosidodecahedron	net_icosidodecahedron.pdf
	Octagonal Antiprism	net_octagonal_antiprism.pdf
	Octagonal Prism	net_octagonal_prism.pdf
	Pentagonal Antiprism	net_pentagonal_antiprism.pdf
	Pentagonal Prism	net_pentagonal_prism.pdf
	Pentagonal Pyramid	net_pentagonal_pyramid.pdf
	Regular Octahedron	net_regular_octahedron.pdf
	Rhombicuboctahedron	net_rhombicuboctahedron.pdf
	Rhombidodecahedron	net_rhombidodecahedron.pdf
	Rombicosidodecahedron	net_rombicosidodecahedron.pdf
	Snub Cube	net_snub_cube.pdf
	Snub Dodecahedron	net_snub_dodecahedron.pdf
	Square Antiprism	net_square_antiprism.pdf
	Square Pyramid	net_square_pyramid.pdf
	Stella Octangula	net_stella_octangula.pdf
	Stellated Dodecahedron	net_stellated_dodecahedron.pdf
	Tetrahedron	net_tetrahedron.pdf
	Triangular Pentahedron	net_triang_pentahedron.pdf
	Triangular Dipyramid	net_triangular_dipyramid.pdf
	Truncated Dodecahedron	net_trunc_dodecahedron.pdf
	Truncated Icosidodecahedron	net_trunc_icosidodecahedron.pdf
	Truncated Cube	net_truncated_cube.pdf
	Truncated Cuboctahedron	net_truncated_cuboctahedron.pdf
	Truncated Icosahedron	net_truncated_icosahedron.pdf
	Truncated Octahedron	net_truncated_octahedron.pdf
	Truncated Tetrahedron	net_truncated_tetrahedron.pdf

References

1. McAdams, David E.. All Math Words Dictionary, geometric net. 2nd Classroom edition 20150108-4799968. pg 85. Life is a Story Problem LLC. January 8, 2015. Buy the book
2. Malkevitch, Joseph. Nets: A Tool for Representing Polyhedra in Two Dimensions. Feature Column: Monthly Essays on Mathematical Topics. American Mathematical Society. Last Accessed 7/11/2018. http://www.ams.org/featurecolumn/archive/nets.html.

Cite this article as:

McAdams, David E. Geometric Net. 12/21/2018. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem LLC. http://www.allmathwords.org/en/g/geometricnet.html.

Revision History

12/21/2018: Reviewed and corrected IPA pronunication. (McAdams, David E.)
7/10/2018: Removed broken links, updated license, implemented new markup, implemented new Geogebra protocol. (McAdams, David E.)
2/6/2010: Added "References". (McAdams, David E.)
9/25/2008: Initial version. (McAdams, David E.)