Net of a Triangular Prism — free printable diagram

What the net of a triangular prism looks like

A net is a 3D shape opened out flat, so that folding it back up rebuilds the solid. The net of a triangular prism is three rectangles in a row with a triangle at each end. Folded, it makes a solid with 5 faces, 9 edges and 6 vertices.

Solid

Triangular prism

Net is made of

three rectangles in a row with a triangle at each end

Faces

5

Edges

9

Vertices (corners)

6

Shape of each end

Triangle

• A prism keeps the same cross-section all the way along. This one has a triangle at each end, joined by 3 rectangles — so 3 + 2 = 5 faces in total.
• Every triangular prism has 9 edges (3 × 3) and 6 vertices (2 × 3), whatever size it is drawn at.
• Euler's formula holds for any solid with flat faces: faces + vertices − edges = 5 + 6 − 9 = 2. It is a quick way to check a count.
• Not every arrangement of the right pieces folds up correctly, so it is worth cutting a net out and testing it rather than assuming it works.
• The area of the net is the surface area of the solid, which is why nets are usually introduced just before surface area.