How to Draw a Crab (Easy Step by Step)
A crab is a fun drawing because it is mostly ovals, circles and curved lines. You will draw a wide oval body, two heart-shaped claws, two round eyes on stalks, and six bendy legs. Once the body is down, the rest is easy to build around it.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 9 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a crab step by step
How to Draw a Crab · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: The round body
Draw a big wide oval in the middle of your page. This is the crab's shell and body, so make it nice and roomy.
Step 3: Heart-shaped claws
Above each side of the body, draw a heart shape with a dip in the top. That dip is the gap in the claw. From the outside of each heart, draw a long curve down to the side of the body.
Step 4: Claw arms
Near the bottom of each heart, draw a short curved line across the claw. Then draw a curved line from the middle of that line down to the body to finish the arm.
Step 5: Eye stalks
Draw two short straight lines going up from the top of the body. Put a small dot at the top of each one.
Step 6: The eyes
Draw a circle around each dot at the top of a stalk. Make both circles the same size.
Step 7: Side legs
Draw two curved legs on each side of the body, starting at the oval and bending out and down like little hooks.
Step 8: Bottom legs
Draw one more leg on each side near the bottom of the body. Start at the oval and curve it down and slightly outward.
Step 9: A happy smile
Near the middle of the body, draw a small curve like a smile. Lift both ends up.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your crab? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a fish or how to draw a narwhal next.
Tips for drawing a crab
- Draw the body oval first and make it wide, so there is plenty of room for the legs and claws to fit around it.
- The claws are the trickiest part. Draw the heart shape slowly, and do not worry if the two claws are not exact twins.
- Draw the legs as curves that start at the edge of the oval and bend down. Keep the same number on each side so your crab looks balanced.
Free crab coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this crab coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your crab drawing
Red or orange is the classic crab color, with white for the eyes and black for the pupils. For a creative twist, give your crab a rainbow shell or put it on a sandy beach with blue waves.
Crab fun fact for kids
Most crabs walk sideways. Their legs bend in a way that makes moving side to side easier than going forward.
Questions about drawing a crab
What shapes do I need to draw a crab?
You need a big oval for the body, two small circles for the eyes, and two heart shapes for the claws. The arms and legs are just curved lines.
How do I make my crab look cuter?
Add a smile and a dot in the middle of each eye. Coloring the claws a bright color also helps.
How do I draw crab claws?
Draw a heart shape with a dip at the top to make the pinching gap. Then connect it to the body with curved lines for the arm.
