Identifying Nets Worksheets | Worsheets library - Free Printable

Let’s go row by row and match the 3D shape on the left with its correct net (the flat pattern that folds into it).

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Row 1: Cylinder

A cylinder has:
- Two circular bases (top and bottom)
- One rectangular side that wraps around

Look at the nets on the right:
- First option: star-like shape → no circles → not a cylinder
- Second option: rectangle with two circles attached → YES! That’s the classic cylinder net.
- Third option: triangle made of smaller triangles → that’s for a pyramid or tetrahedron → no

✔ So, check the second box in Row 1.

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Row 2: Cone

A cone has:
- One circular base
- One curved surface that becomes a sector of a circle when flattened

Nets:
- First: L-shape with circles → looks like part of a cube or prism → no
- Second: semicircle + circle → YES! The semicircle folds into the cone’s side, the circle is the base.
- Third: T-shaped blocks → that’s for a cube or rectangular prism → no

✔ Check the second box in Row 2.

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Row 3: Hexagonal Prism

This shape has:
- Two hexagon ends
- Six rectangular sides connecting them

Nets:
- First: long strip with dots and a circle? Doesn’t look right — maybe for a different prism?
- Second: cross-shaped with rectangles → this could be for a cube or square prism → but we need hexagons!
Wait — actually, looking again: none show hexagons clearly? Let’s think...

Actually, the first net in Row 3 has a long rectangle divided into 6 parts (for the 6 sides) and two hexagons? Wait — the image shows a dotted line pattern. Actually, the first net has a central strip of 6 rectangles and two hexagons on the ends? But in the image, it’s drawn with dots — perhaps indicating fold lines.

Wait — let me re-express: A hexagonal prism net should have 2 hexagons and 6 rectangles. Looking at the options:

- First net: appears to be a long rectangle with 6 segments and two shapes on top/bottom — if those are hexagons, then yes. But in the image, they’re shown as circles? Hmm — maybe misdrawn? Or perhaps I’m misreading.

Actually, looking more carefully — the third net in Row 3 is a diamond/star shape — that’s for an octahedron or something else.

Wait — perhaps the first net is intended to be the hexagonal prism? It has a long band (6 rectangles) and two end caps — even if drawn simply, that’s likely it.

But hold on — let’s compare to known nets. Actually, standard hexagonal prism net is two hexagons connected by 6 rectangles in a row. In the image, the first net in Row 3 has a vertical strip of 6 small squares/rectangles and two larger shapes on top and bottom — which might represent the hexagons. Given the other options don’t fit, this must be it.

Alternatively — maybe I made a mistake. Let’s skip and come back.

Actually, looking again: the second net in Row 3 is a “T” shape made of 6 squares — that’s for a cube? No, cube needs 6 squares, but arranged differently. This T-shape can fold into a cube? Actually, some T-shapes can, but not all. But we need a hexagonal prism — so 8 faces total? No — hexagonal prism has 8 faces: 2 hexagons + 6 rectangles = 8 faces. But nets usually show all faces laid out.

Wait — perhaps the first net is correct. Let’s assume for now.

Actually, let’s look at Row 4 and 5 first — maybe easier.

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Row 4: Square Pyramid

This has:
- One square base
- Four triangular sides meeting at a point

Nets:
- First: triangle with dashed lines inside — that’s a tetrahedron (triangular pyramid) → no
- Second: four triangles around a center point — that’s a square pyramid! Yes — the center is the square base, and four triangles fold up.
- Third: rectangle with flaps — that’s for a box or prism → no

✔ Check the second box in Row 4.

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Row 5: Triangular Prism

This has:
- Two triangular bases
- Three rectangular sides

Nets:
- First: pentagon-like shape? No — wait, it’s a house shape? Actually, it’s a rectangle with two triangles on the sides — that’s exactly a triangular prism net!
- Second: diamond/star — that’s for octahedron → no
- Third: large triangle divided into 4 — that’s a tetrahedron net → no

✔ Check the first box in Row 5.

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Now back to Row 3: Hexagonal Prism

We said it needs 2 hexagons and 6 rectangles.

Looking at the nets:

- First net: has a long strip of 6 small rectangles (or squares) and two shapes on top and bottom — if those are hexagons, then yes. In many worksheets, they simplify the drawing. Also, the dotted lines suggest folding.

- Second net: T-shape of 6 squares — that’s for a cube? But cube has 6 faces, all squares. This T-shape can fold into a cube? Actually, yes — some T-tetrominoes can, but here it’s 6 squares — so it’s a hexomino. Some hexominoes fold into cubes. But we need a hexagonal prism — which is not a cube.

Hexagonal prism has 8 faces — so net must have 8 polygons. The first net in Row 3: if you count — the long strip has 6, plus two on ends = 8. Perfect.

The second net has only 6 squares — too few.

Third net is a star — probably 8 triangles? For octahedron.

So yes — first net in Row 3 is correct.

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Final checks:

Row 1: Cylinder → second net ✔
Row 2: Cone → second net ✔
Row 3: Hexagonal Prism → first net ✔
Row 4: Square Pyramid → second net ✔
Row 5: Triangular Prism → first net ✔

All matched!

Final Answer:
Check the following boxes:
- Row 1: second box
- Row 2: second box
- Row 3: first box
- Row 4: second box
- Row 5: first box