How to Draw a Cheetah (Easy Step by Step)
This cheetah is a cuddly sitting pose built from just a few simple shapes: a big oval head, round ears, oval arms and feet, and a curved striped tail. The spots and the long tear lines on the face are what make it look like a real cheetah. Kids can add as many spots as they like.
- Easy
- 15 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 cheetah step by step
How to Draw a Cheetah · 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 big head
Draw a big round oval for the head, a little wider than it is tall. Leave plenty of room below it for the body.
Step 3: Round ears
Add a small half circle on each top corner of the head so the ears peek out from behind it. Make both ears about the same size.
Step 4: Nose and smile
Draw a small rounded triangle nose in the middle of the face and fill it in. Under it, add a little wavy smile made of two tiny curves.
Step 5: Tear lines and spots
Draw two long curved tear lines running down from the cheeks beside the nose. Add little dots on the cheeks, then start the body with short curved lines under the head and a few dots for tummy spots. Add a few short marks near the bottom and on the right for the feet and tail to come.
Step 6: The arms
Draw a tall skinny oval on each side of the body for the arms. Tuck the top of each oval against the body.
Step 7: Big feet
At the bottom, draw a wide flat oval on each side for the feet. Add a short line from the right foot out toward the tail marks.
Step 8: The striped tail
Start by the right foot and draw a long curved tail that sweeps out and up. Add a second line beside it to make the tail thick, then add a small dark tip and a few stripes across.
Step 9: Forehead spots
Finish with three small dots on the forehead, one in the middle and one on each side, just below the top of the head.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your cheetah? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw an ostrich or how to draw a donkey next.
Tips for drawing a cheetah
- Draw the head oval first and lightly, because the ears and face lines all hang off it.
- The tear lines are the trickiest part. Make them two curves that look like a pair of parentheses, and keep them about the same length.
- Add spots last and spread them out so none touch. Mix big and small dots to look natural.
Free cheetah coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this cheetah 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 cheetah drawing
Color the body golden yellow and the spots dark brown or black, with the ear insides in soft pink. For a creative twist, give your cheetah rainbow spots.
Cheetah fun fact for kids
The cheetah is the fastest land animal. It can run about 60 miles per hour in short bursts.
Questions about drawing a cheetah
What shapes do I need to draw a cheetah?
You need a big oval for the head, two small half circles for ears, and ovals for the arms and feet. A long curved shape makes the tail.
How do I make my cheetah look cuter?
Keep the head big and the body small, and draw a small happy smile. Adding lots of round spots makes it look extra friendly.
How do I draw cheetah spots?
Press your pencil down and make small filled dots, some big and some small. Spread them over the forehead, cheeks, and tummy.
