Tessellations

A tessellation is a pattern of shapes that fit together perfectly. The shapes cover a surface with no gaps and no overlaps. Think of floor tiles or a honeycomb made by bees. Tessellations can be simple or very fancy. They are used in art, math, and design.

Shapes That Tessellate

Not every shape can tessellate. Triangles, squares, and hexagons are the only regular shapes that can tessellate on their own. A honeycomb uses hexagons because they fit together so well. You can also mix shapes to create interesting patterns.

Tessellations in Art

A famous artist named M.C. Escher loved tessellations. He made drawings of fish, birds, and lizards that fit together with no gaps. Tessellations are used in tile floors, quilts, and stained glass windows. They turn simple shapes into beautiful art.

Fun Facts

• The word tessellation comes from a Latin word for small square tile.
• Bees build their honeycomb in hexagon shapes because it uses the least wax.
• Some tessellations can have three, four, or more different shapes.

Did You Know?

A soccer ball is covered in pentagons and hexagons that nearly tessellate on a curved surface.