How to Draw a Checkered Flag (Easy Step by Step)
A checkered flag is the one that waves at the end of a race, and it is fun to draw because it is just a pole and a grid of little squares. You only need straight lines, a small circle, and a few gentle waves. Once the wavy outline is down, the grid fills in almost by itself.
- Easy
- 10 minutes
- 7 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawing
In this article (7 sections)
How to draw a checkered flag step by step
How to Draw a Checkered Flag · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: The tall pole
Draw one long straight line going up and down. Make it nice and tall, because the whole flag will hang from it.
Step 2: The round top
At the very top of the pole, draw a small circle like a ring. It sits right on the end of the pole.
Step 3: The flat base
At the bottom of the pole, draw a short flat line going left and right, like the bottom of a letter T. This helps the flag stand up.
Step 4: The wavy flag outline
Starting at the pole near the top, draw a wavy line across to the right. Then draw a straight line down, and a wavy line back to the pole along the bottom. Let the waves go up and down like a ribbon in the wind.
Step 5: Up and down lines
Draw three lines going from the top wave to the bottom wave. Space them out evenly, and keep each one nearly straight.
Step 6: Left wavy lines
In the left part of the flag, draw three wavy lines going across from the pole to the second up and down line. Copy the wave of the top edge so they all curve the same way.
Step 7: Right wavy lines
Now do the same on the right side. Draw three wavy lines from the second up and down line across to the right edge, so the flag is split into little squares.
All done!
Go over your lines with a marker, then color it in.
Finished your checkered flag? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a rocket or how to draw a shooting star next.
Tips for drawing a checkered flag
- Draw the top and bottom waves of the flag first, so every line inside can follow the same curve.
- Keep the up and down lines evenly spaced. Look at the gaps between them and try to make the squares about the same size.
- Make the wavy lines curve the same way as the top edge. If one goes the opposite way, the flag will look flat instead of waving.
Free checkered flag coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this checkered flag 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 checkered flag drawing
Color the squares like a chessboard, black and white one after another, and make the pole gray or silver. For a creative twist, use your favorite two colors instead of black, like a red and yellow flag for your own race team.
Checkered flag fun fact for kids
In car racing, a black and white checkered flag is waved at the finish line to tell drivers that the race is over.
Questions about drawing a checkered flag
What shapes do I need to draw a checkered flag?
You need a long straight line for the pole, a small circle for the top, and a flat line for the base. The flag itself is a wavy outline with lines inside that make a grid of squares.
How do I make my flag look like it is waving?
Draw the top and bottom edges as gentle up and down waves, not straight lines. Then bend the lines across the flag to match those waves.
How do I get my checkered squares even?
Draw the up and down lines first and keep the gaps equal. Then add the wavy lines across, spacing them the same distance apart.
