How to Draw a Compass (Easy Step by Step)
A compass is a fun thing to draw because it is made almost entirely of circles and one skinny diamond. You will draw a big round case, a small ring on top, and a tilted needle in the middle. It looks like a real tool when you are done.
- Easy
- 10 minutes
- 7 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a compass step by step
How to Draw a Compass · 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 outer case
Draw a big round circle in the middle of your page. This is the body of the compass, so make it nice and large.
Step 3: The top ring
Draw a small circle on top of the big circle, like a little handle. Let the bottom of it touch the top of the big circle.
Step 4: The inner circle
Draw a second circle inside the big one, leaving an even gap all the way around. It makes a frame for the compass face.
Step 5: The needle shape
Inside the inner circle, draw a long, skinny diamond that leans to the right. Draw one side from the upper right tip down to the lower left tip, then draw the other side beside it.
Step 6: The center dot
Draw a small round dot right in the middle of the needle. Color it in so it looks like the pin that holds the needle.
Step 7: Marks and needle tip
Draw a short line at the top, bottom, left, and right inside the inner circle to mark the directions. Then draw a short line from the center dot up toward the top tip of the needle.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your compass? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw binoculars or how to draw a key next.
Tips for drawing a compass
- Draw the big circle first and take your time. The inner circle should sit inside it with an even gap, so go slowly.
- The needle is the trickiest part. Draw two lines that lean the same way to make a long, skinny diamond.
- Keep the four direction marks short and the same length. Draw the top and bottom ones first, then the left and right ones.
Free compass coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this compass 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 compass drawing
Try gold or silver for the case and red for one half of the needle, with blue for the other half. For a creative twist, add a tiny treasure map or a trail of footprints around your compass.
Compass fun fact for kids
A compass needle is a tiny magnet, and it points toward the north because the whole Earth acts like a giant magnet.
Questions about drawing a compass
What shapes do I need to draw a compass?
You need two big circles, one inside the other, and a small circle for the ring on top. A long diamond makes the needle, and a dot and a few short lines finish it.
How do I draw a perfect circle?
Practice a few times by drawing in the air first. You can also trace around a cup or a lid, then go over the line with your pencil.
How do I make my compass look more real?
Color half of the needle red and the other half blue. You can also try gold or silver for the case, so it looks like a real compass.
