A pentagon is a five-sided, closed shape. All of the lines are straight and equal in length. A ruler is an invaluable tool to use as you attempt to accurately draw the shape. By drawing the baseline at the bottom of the shape perfectly perpendicular to a side line, you can create a perfect, 90-degree right angle.

Draw a 2.5 cm (1 inch) horizontal line. This will be the bottom base of the shape.

Draw a 2.5 cm (1 inch) vertical line straight up from the left endpoint of the baseline. These two lines form the right angle. Draw a small curve in the corner of the lines if you need to denote the right angle.

  • A pentagon is a five-sided, closed shape.
  • Draw a 2.5 cm (1 inch) vertical line straight up from the left endpoint of the baseline.

Draw a 2.5 cm (1 inch) line up from the right endpoint of the baseline.

  • Draw a 2.5 cm (1 inch) line up from the right endpoint of the baseline.

Measure the halfway point -- 1.25 cm (1/2 inch) -- on the baseline. Mark it lightly. Sketch a 5 cm (2 inch) vertical line up from the midpoint. This line will serve as a guide line, which you will erase when you have completed the shape.

Draw a 2.5 cm (1 inch) diagonal line from the endpoint of the left side line. The diagonal line should end exactly on the vertical guide line.

Draw a 2.5 cm (1 inch) diagonal line from the endpoint of the right side line. This diagonal line also should end exactly on the vertical guide line. The two diagonal lines together should form a peak.

Erase the vertical guideline.

Draw one short dash across each of the five lines to denote that they are equal in length, and that the pentagon is therefore equilateral.