How to draw a cell - a free cell drawing guide
Draw and label a detailed plant or animal cell using paper, pencils, and colors, identifying nucleus, membrane, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, and mitochondria.
Photos of cell drawing examples
Step-by-step guide to draw a cell
How to Draw an Animal Cell - Step by Step - With a Small Test - Draw and Learn
Step 1
Decide whether you will draw a plant cell or an animal cell.
Step 2
Write the name of your chosen cell as the title at the top of the page.
Step 3
Lightly sketch the outer shape with your pencil: a rounded rectangle for a plant cell or an oval for an animal cell.
Step 4
Draw the cell membrane as a thin line just inside the outer shape.
Step 5
Lightly shade or dot the space inside the membrane to show the cytoplasm.
Step 6
Draw a large circle for the nucleus and add a smaller circle inside for the nucleolus.
Step 7
Draw three to six bean-shaped mitochondria and add squiggly lines inside each one.
Step 8
If you chose a plant cell draw several small oval chloroplasts with tiny stacks inside them; if you chose an animal cell write “No chloroplasts in animal cells” near your drawing.
Step 9
If you chose a plant cell draw a big central vacuole as a large oval; if you chose an animal cell draw a few small scattered vacuoles.
Step 10
Color each organelle a different color so they stand out from each other.
Step 11
Draw straight lines from each organelle to a clear spot for its label.
Step 12
Write the name beside each label for at least: nucleus; cell membrane; cytoplasm; mitochondria; chloroplasts (or note that chloroplasts are absent if you drew an animal cell).
Step 13
Take a photo of your finished cell and share your creation on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have colored pencils or a camera to finish and share the cell drawing?
If you don't have colored pencils, use crayons, markers, or watercolor paints to color each organelle differently, and if you don't have a camera use a smartphone or flatbed scanner to take a photo of your finished cell to upload to DIY.org.
My outer shape or label lines look messy—how can I fix common drawing problems in the steps?
If your rounded rectangle or oval from Step 3 is too dark, gently erase and redraw it lightly with your pencil, and use a ruler or pencil-first guideline to make straight label lines before inking and coloring.
How can I change this activity for different age groups?
For younger kids, use a printed plant or animal cell template and stickers for organelles and only label nucleus and membrane, while older kids can add extra organelles, draw the suggested 3–6 mitochondria and multiple chloroplasts, and write one-sentence functions beside each label.
What are some ways to enhance or personalize the finished cell before sharing it on DIY.org?
Make a mixed-media or 3D version by using colored clay or felt for organelles and glitter or tiny stacks for chloroplasts, photograph the finished piece, and add a short caption describing each labeled organelle's role when you post to DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to draw a cell
How to Draw an Animal Cell Diagram -Homework Help | DoodleDrawArt
4 Videos
How to Draw an Animal Cell Diagram -Homework Help | DoodleDrawArt
How to draw Animal cell step by step tutorial for beginners !
How to Draw Human Cell Step by Step
How to Draw Plant Cells
Facts about cell biology for kids
🧬 The nucleus is the cell's control center and stores most of its DNA — millions of instructions packed tiny!
⚡ Mitochondria are the cell's powerhouses that help make energy so cells can move, grow, and think!
🌿 Chloroplasts catch sunlight and turn it into food — some plant cells have dozens or even hundreds of them!
💧 Cytoplasm is mostly water and fills the cell, letting organelles float and work like boats in a pond!
🧫 Your body is made of about 30–40 trillion cells — that's a huge team of tiny helpers!
