Square and Rectangle Lines of Symmetry Worksheets
A line of symmetry is a fold line that makes both halves match exactly. Test the whole shape, not just its area.
Matching halves make a line of symmetry
Imagine folding a shape along a straight line. If the two halves fit exactly on top of each other, that line is a line of symmetry. The edges and corners must match; equal areas alone are not enough.
Find four lines in a square
A square has a vertical line and a horizontal line through its center. Each diagonal also works: folding from one corner to the opposite corner makes the two triangular halves match. These are four different lines, not eight rays.
Square: four lines of symmetry.
One vertical, one horizontal, and two diagonals.
Cut out a paper square and test each fold. Open the paper after every fold so the original shape remains easy to see.
A non-square rectangle has two
The longer rectangle on this sheet has a vertical and a horizontal line of symmetry through its center. Its diagonals do not make the corners and edges match when folded. A diagonal divides it into equal-area triangles, but it is not a symmetry line.
Draw the line through the whole shape
Place the line through the center and extend it from one side of the shape to the other. For a square diagonal, join opposite corners. Small pencil inaccuracies can be discussed by comparing the intended fold, rather than counting every uneven mark as a different idea.
Check the drawing itself
The answer key gives the number and directions of the lines. It does not supply a finished drawing. An adult should check the position of every line and whether any required line is missing. Writing “4” beside a square does not replace drawing its four symmetry lines.
About these two activities
This sheet reuses one original square and one original non-square rectangle. New numbers keeps these same two diagrams; it does not create new shapes. Draw directly on each diagram.
This is selected symmetry practice for these two shapes. It does not assess triangles, circles, irregular figures, or shapes with no symmetry. A square is also a rectangle, but the word rectangle in the second activity refers to the visibly longer, non-square rectangle.
Make a practice set
Choose what to print. Selecting both shows the answer key on screen and prints the questions followed by the answers.
After the practice
Choose one drawn line and explain how folding would make the halves match.
Drawing activityHalves, Thirds, and Fourths
Divide rectangles into equal parts and shade one part.
3 problems · Answer key included
Drawing activityQuadrilateral Families
Explain rectangle and square families, then draw a different quadrilateral.
3 problems · Answer key included
More about shapes · Grade 4 worksheets
Grade 4 selected skill connection: 4.G.A.3. See the Common Core grade guidance. This worksheet does not cover every requirement in the standard.