Show us a pattern, with the Golden Ratio!
Create a golden ratio pattern by drawing Fibonacci squares, adding quarter circle spirals, measuring proportions with a ruler, and decorating the spiral.
Step-by-step guide to create a golden ratio pattern
Step 1
Choose your starting unit size (for example 1 cm or 1 inch) and tell an adult which you picked.
Step 2
Lay your paper in landscape orientation so the spiral has room to grow.
Step 3
Use the ruler to lightly draw a 1 by 1 unit square near the center of the paper.
Step 4
Use the ruler to draw a second 1 by 1 unit square directly to the right of the first so they share a full side.
Step 5
Measure and draw a 2 by 2 unit square directly below the two 1 by 1 squares so its top side lines up with their bottom side.
Step 6
Measure and draw a 3 by 3 unit square to the left of the 2 by 2 and the two 1 by 1 squares so its right side aligns with their left edge.
Step 7
Measure and draw a 5 by 5 unit square above the 3 by 3 and 2 by 2 squares so its bottom side aligns with their top edges.
Step 8
Measure and draw an 8 by 8 unit square to the right of the 5 by 5 and 3 by 3 squares so its left side aligns with their right edges (stop earlier if your paper is too small).
Step 9
Place the compass point at the correct corner of the smallest 1 by 1 square and draw a quarter-circle arc from one corner to the opposite corner.
Step 10
Repeat drawing a quarter-circle arc inside each larger square so the arcs join and form a smooth spiral moving outward.
Step 11
Use the ruler to measure the side length of each square and write each measurement next to its square.
Step 12
Divide each larger square length by the previous square length (ask an adult for help if needed) and write down each ratio to see how they approach the golden ratio.
Step 13
Color and decorate the squares and the spiral with patterns and colours to make your golden ratio design pop.
Step 14
Take a photo of your finished golden ratio pattern 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 a compass, ruler, or graph paper?
If you don't have a compass use a pencil tied to a length of string anchored with a pushpin for drawing the quarter-circle arcs, substitute a credit card or book edge as a straightedge for the ruler when drawing square sides, and use graph paper or pre-cut sticky-note squares instead of measuring each unit.
My squares don't line up or the spiral arcs don't meet — how can we fix that?
Erase the light pencil lines and carefully re-measure each shared side with the ruler so the 1×1, 2×2, 3×3, etc. squares align exactly, then re-anchor the compass at the correct corner of each smallest square before redrawing each quarter-circle so the arcs join smoothly (or pick a smaller unit size if the paper is too small).
How can we change this activity to suit younger kids or make it harder for older kids?
For younger children, pre-draw or use 1-inch sticky-note squares and have them color and trace the quarter-circle arcs, while older kids can use smaller unit sizes, add more Fibonacci-based squares, calculate and write each ratio as instructed, or recreate and extend the spiral digitally for greater precision.
How can we improve or personalize our golden ratio pattern before taking the photo for DIY.org?
Personalize by assigning a color or pattern to each square based on its side length, decorate with paints or collage materials, write the measured side lengths and calculated ratios neatly next to each square as part of the design, and add a contrasting background to make the spiral pop before photographing it.
Watch videos on how to create a golden ratio pattern
How to draw The Fibonacci Spiral and the Golden Rectangle. With the squares 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34
4 Videos
How to draw The Fibonacci Spiral and the Golden Rectangle. With the squares 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34
How to Make a Golden Rectangle
How to Make a Golden Spiral | Fibonacci Sequence
The Golden Ratio In Drawing:Applying It To A Face
Facts about geometry and the golden ratio
🔢 The golden ratio (phi) is about 1.618 — a special number artists and mathematicians love!
➕ The Fibonacci sequence goes 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5... where each number is the sum of the two before it.
🌻 Sunflowers and pinecones often show spirals that follow Fibonacci numbers so seeds pack tightly.
🌀 A Fibonacci (or golden-style) spiral can be drawn by adding quarter-circle arcs inside squares whose sides are Fibonacci numbers.
📐 The ratio of consecutive Fibonacci numbers gets closer and closer to the golden ratio — try measuring it with a ruler!
