How to Draw a Ruler (Easy Step by Step)
A ruler is a fun first drawing because it is built from one long rectangle and a row of straight lines. Add two dots and a curve for a smile and it turns into a happy little character. Everything in it uses lines, circles, and dots.
- Easy
- 8 minutes
- 4 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a ruler step by step
How to Draw a Ruler · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: The ruler body
Draw a long, tilted rectangle with softly rounded corners. Make it about twice as long as it is tall.
Step 2: The hanging hole
Near the top right end, inside the rectangle, draw a small circle for the hole. Leave the middle of the circle empty so it looks like a ring.
Step 3: Marks and eyes
Along the top edge, just inside the ruler, draw short lines that point down, taking turns between long and short all the way across. Then draw two round dots in the middle of the ruler for eyes.
Step 4: The smile
Draw a small curved smile below the eyes, halfway between them.
All done!
Go over your lines with a marker, then color it in.
Finished your ruler? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a calculator or how to draw a notebook next.
Tips for drawing a ruler
- Draw the rectangle lightly first, then go over it. Tilting your paper makes it easier to get the slanted shape.
- The marks are the trickiest part. Draw a long one, then a short one, and keep going so they look like a pattern.
- Keep the eyes in the middle of the ruler and the smile small and curved below them so the face looks sweet.
Free ruler coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this ruler 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 ruler drawing
Try a bright yellow or a see-through blue for the ruler, and a darker color for the marks. For a creative twist, make each section between the marks a different rainbow color.
Ruler fun fact for kids
Many school rulers are 12 inches long, and 12 inches make one foot.
Questions about drawing a ruler
What shapes do I need to draw a ruler?
You need a long rectangle with rounded corners, a small circle for the hole, short straight lines for the marks, two dots for eyes, and a small curve for the smile.
How do I make the marks even?
Start at one end of the top edge and work across. Try to leave the same space between each mark, and take turns between long and short.
How do I make my ruler look cuter?
Add two round dot eyes in the middle and a small curved smile below them.
