Nets of 3D shapes for Class 5

Introduction

• Understanding nets of cuboid shapes is an important part of learning geometry. A cuboid is a 3D shape with six rectangular faces. When we unfold a cuboid into a flat shape, we get what is called a net of cuboid. This net helps us see all the faces of the cuboid at once and understand how they fit together to make the 3D shape. Learning about the nets of a cuboid is helpful for understanding volume, surface area, and how 3D objects are built.There is not just one single way to unfold a cuboid. In fact, there are different nets of a cuboid that all form the same 3D shape when folded.
• Nets of 3D shapes show how solid shapes look when they are opened out flat. These flat patterns are called nets of solid shapes. In this topic, Class 5 students will explore how these 3D shapes unfold into flat 2D diagrams called nets.

  By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Understand cube nets and nets of cuboid
  • Identify nets of a cuboid, cylinder, and cone
  • Practice with net of cuboid examples and diagramsEvaluate how nets fold back into 3D shapes
    
    

  Each part of this topic is explained in a fun and simple way using colorful diagrams, mind maps, and real-life examples. Don’t forget to try the Class 5 Maths worksheets on nets of 3D shapes provided at the end!
  📥 Download the free worksheet and check your answers with the PDF key!

   

  ---

   Table of Contents

  • Introduction to Nets of 3D Shapes

  • What Are Nets of Solid Shapes?

  • Cube Nets

  • Nets of Cuboid | Net of Cuboid | Nets of a Cuboid | Different Nets of a Cuboid

  • Net of a Cylinder

  • Net of a Cone

What Are Nets of Solid Shapes?

A net is a flat, three-dimensional shape that can be folded to create a 2D solid. Imagine opening a cardboard box completely flat; the shape you see is the net of that box. When we unfold 3D shapes like cubes, cuboids, cylinders, or cones, we get 2D diagrams called nets.

These nets help us understand how a solid shape is made from different faces joined together. For example, the net of cuboid shows all the rectangles that make up the cuboid arranged flat in a way that, if folded, will give you back the 3D shape.

Understanding nets is important because they connect 2D and 3D shapes, helping us visualize and create objects from flat materials like paper or cardboard.

 Cube Nets

A cube is one of the simplest 3D shapes to understand using nets. Here are some important facts about a cube:

• It has 6 square faces

• It has 12 edges

It has 8 corners (or vertices)

When unfolded, a cube shows 6 squares arranged in a specific pattern. However, not all arrangements of 6 squares make a cube. There are 11 correct nets of a cube. This means there are exactly 11 different ways to arrange 6 squares in a flat pattern so that they fold back into a cube.

Here are some fun things to explore with cube nets:

• Try drawing all 11 nets

• Cut out paper nets and fold them into cubes

• Identify which patterns of squares cannot fold into a cube and explain why

• Not every net which has 6 square faces can be folded into a cube.

  Examples:

  

Nets of Cuboid

A cuboid is similar to a cube but with rectangular faces instead of all squares. Let’s look at the key facts:

• It has 6 rectangular faces

• It has 12 edges

• It has 8 corners
  
  

When opened flat, a cuboid gives a net of cuboid made up of 6 rectangles. Unlike a cube, where all faces are equal squares, a cuboid’s faces vary in length and width, so its nets show different-sized rectangles.

There are many possible ways to arrange the rectangles to create nets of a cuboid. In fact, there are 54 different nets of a cuboid, but not all these nets will fold properly to make a cuboid.

What are the Different Nets of a Cuboid?

Different nets of a cuboid mean the various ways you can arrange the 6 rectangles flat so that when folded, they form the cuboid. Some nets might look correct but fail to fold into a 3D shape.

Correct vs. Wrong Nets of Cuboid:

✅ Correct nets of cuboid fold neatly into the 3D shape without gaps or overlaps.
❌ Wrong nets may look like cuboids but can’t fold properly because their rectangles don’t connect correctly.

By exploring different nets of a cuboid, students can understand how many shapes like boxes, bricks, and books are constructed. For example, cardboard boxes in stores are made using nets of cuboid.

Why Focus on Nets of Cuboids?

Learning the nets of a cuboid helps kids:

• Visualize how flat shapes make solid objects

• Understand real-world objects’ shapes and structures

• Improve spatial thinking and geometry skills
  
  

Try cutting out different nets of cuboid and folding them. Which ones fold into cuboids? Which don’t? This hands-on activity builds strong math confidence

Not every net which has 6 rectangular faces can be folded into a cuboid.

Examples:

Net of a Cylinder

A cylinder is a curved 3D shape. Here are the facts:

• It has 2 circular faces (top and bottom)

• It has 1 curved face that wraps around (like a label on a can)

When unfolded, the net of a cylinder includes:

• 2 circles (the bases)

• 1 rectangle (the curved surface unfolds into a rectangle)

The figure given below cannot be folded into a cylinder.

Net of a Cone

A cone is another 3D shape with a circular base and a curved surface that narrows to a point.

pesA cone has:

• 1 circular base

• 1 curved surface
  
  

The net of a cone includes:

• A circle (the flat base)

• A sector of a circle (the curved part that forms the side of the cone)
  
  

These parts fold perfectly to make a cone shape, like an ice cream cone or a party hat.

The net given below cannot be folded to a cone.

Fun  Facts about 3D Shape Nets

1. For a cube, there are precisely 11 correct nets—neither more nor less! You can fold all eleven to form a cube.
2. Nets are used in cardboard packaging! Before being folded into shape, every cereal box and shoebox you open was a flat net.
3.  Before creating the final product, engineers use nets to design real 3D objects in software, such as buildings, boxes, tents, and tools.
4. Even with six squares, not every square pattern forms a cube! For it to fold correctly, the arrangement needs to be precise.
5. Juice boxes are cuboids, and their flattened versions are perfect examples of cuboid nets.

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: Every 6-square pattern is a cube net.
Fact: There are only eleven distinct configurations of six squares that can be folded into a cube.

Misconception: Cuboid nets all have the same appearance.
Fact: A cuboid has 54 distinct nets, but not all of them are accurate!

Misconception: Cones and cylinders only unfold into rectangles.
 Fact: Cones unfold into one circle plus one curved sector, whereas cylinders unfold into two circles plus one rectangle.

 Misconception: Math classes are the only ones that use nets.
 Fact: Real-world applications of nets include architecture, video game graphics, and product design.

Misconception: Understanding 3D shapes doesn't require knowledge of nets.
Fact: Nets make it easier to practically visualize, construct, and measure 3D objects!

Things You've Learned!

• A flat configuration of six rectangles that can be folded into a three-dimensional cuboid is called a net of a cuboid.
• A cuboid has 54 possible nets, not all of which are correct, compared to 11 correct nets for a cube.
• We can better understand how 3D shapes are constructed from 2D surfaces by looking at nets of 3D shapes such as cubes, cuboids, cones, and cylinders.
• A cone's net has one circle and a curved sector, while a cylinder's net has two circles and one rectangle.
• Learning nets is beneficial in geometry, art, and engineering and enhances spatial comprehension and visual reasoning.
• While improper nets overlap or leave gaps, proper nets fold neatly into the desired 3D shape.