3D shapes are shapes with three dimensions, such as width, height and depth.
The side of a 3D shape is called the face. 3D shape faces are flat.
The edges of a 3D shape are where the faces meet.
The corners of a 3D shape are called vertices. Vertex is the singular of vertices.
A regular 3D shape’s faces are all equal. A cube is an example of a regular 3D shape. It has six square faces that are all the same size.
An irregular 3D shape has faces of differing shapes and sizes. A cylinder is an example of an irregular 3D shape. It has three faces, two are circles and one is a rectangle.
A polyhedron is a 3D shape made up of a collection of flat polygons. Polyhedrons can have any number of faces. Triangular prisms and cubes are examples of polyhedrons.
Here is a selection of some of the common 3D shapes and their properties:
3D shapes are taught as part of the geometry strands of the maths curriculum. This strand is geometry - properties of shapes.
3D shapes are first taught in year 1 when children:
- recognise and name common 2-D and 3-D shapes, including: 3-D shapes [for example, cuboids (including cubes), pyramids and spheres].
In Year 2 children:
- identify and describe the properties of 3-D shapes, including the number of edges, vertices and faces
- identify 2-D shapes on the surface of 3-D shapes [for example, a circle on a cylinder and a triangle on a pyramid]
- compare and sort common 2-D and 3-D shapes and everyday objects.
In Year 3 children:
- draw 2-D shapes and make 3-D shapes using modelling materials; recognise 3-D shapes in different orientations and describe them
In Year 5 children:
- identify 3-D shapes, including cubes and other cuboids, from 2-D representations
In Year 6 children:
- recognise, describe and build simple 3-D shapes, including making nets
