How to make a simple flowchart with shapes and arrows
When you need to explain a process or a decision, a flowchart gets the message across far better than paragraphs of text. You don’t need special software — rectangles, circles and arrows are enough for a simple flowchart. This article walks you through making one with Shape Maker.
The basic flowchart shapes
Each shape in a flowchart has a specific role. These four are all you need to get started.
| Shape | Meaning | How to make it in Shape Maker |
|---|---|---|
| Circle / oval | Start or end | Circle tool |
| Rectangle | A step (something to do) | Rectangle tool |
| Diamond | A decision (branches into yes / no) | Rotate a square by 45° |
| Arrow | Direction of flow | Arrow tool |
Step by step
1. Choose the canvas orientation
If the flow runs top to bottom, use a tall canvas (for example 800 wide by 1200 high). For left-to-right flows, a wide canvas (1200 by 800) is easier to read. To add a background color, untick “Transparent background” and pick a color.
2. Place the start and end circles
Use the Circle tool to draw circles near the top and bottom of the canvas. Hold Shift while dragging for a perfect circle.
3. Lay out the steps as rectangles
Draw one rectangle per step with the Rectangle tool. Keeping them the same size makes the chart look tidy, so try to drag each new rectangle to roughly the same size as the first.
4. Use a diamond for decisions
Shape Maker doesn’t have a dedicated diamond tool, but a rotated square works perfectly. Hold Shift while drawing with the Rectangle tool to get a square, then click it with the Select tool and drag the rotation handle above it. Rotation snaps to 45° steps, so it is easy to land exactly on 45°.
5. Add text
Click on a shape with the Text tool, then replace the placeholder in the panel’s text box with something like “Receive the order”. If the text ends up hidden behind a shape, select the text and press “To front”.
6. Connect everything with arrows
Drag from shape to shape with the Arrow tool to connect the flow. Add small “Yes” and “No” labels next to the arrows coming out of each diamond.
7. Save it as an image
In the Download section, choose PNG and 2x resolution, then save. PNG keeps text sharp, which is ideal for documents and slides.
Tips for a readable flowchart
- Keep a consistent direction: top to bottom or left to right. Use backward arrows only for loops such as “try again”.
- Give colors a meaning: for example, blue for steps, yellow for decisions and green for start and end.
- Use one stroke width: matching the outline and arrow widths makes the chart feel unified.
- Keep labels short: put long explanations in the surrounding text and limit each shape to a few words.
Things to keep in mind
- Shapes and text are separate objects. When you move a shape, move the text on top of it as well.
- Shape Maker currently clears your work when the page is reloaded, so download your flowchart as soon as it is done.
Summary
Remember four things — circles to start and end, rectangles for steps, diamonds for decisions, arrows to connect — and you can build a flowchart in minutes. The trick for diamonds is a square rotated by 45°. If you want to share diagrams on social media, see Tips for simple social media graphics.