Pixel circle generator

Why use a pixel circle chart?

Block games are made of squares, so a true circle is impossible. The best you can do is a pixel circle: a pattern of blocks that reads as round from a distance. Freehanding one almost always ends up lumpy or egg-shaped, especially at bigger sizes. A chart shows you exactly where every block goes, so towers, domes, ponds and arenas come out smooth and symmetrical.

How to use the circle generator

1. Set the width. With "Perfect circle" ticked, height follows automatically. Untick it to make an oval.
2. Choose Outline or Filled. Outlines are for walls and rings; filled shapes are for floors, roofs and pools.
3. Set the thickness of the outline, from 1 block up to 20.
4. Read the stats: total blocks and stacks of 64 tell you how many materials to gather.
5. Open the row table to see the block count for every row, then download the PNG to keep on a second screen or your phone.

Building it in game

• Start at the centre. Place a marker block where the lime lines cross, then count outwards along the centre line to the edge.
• Build one quarter. Circles are symmetrical, so once one quarter is right you can mirror it three times.
• Count in fives. The thicker grid lines every five blocks make counting long rows much easier.
• Use a contrasting block for guides, then replace it with your real material once the shape is right.

Popular sizes

• 7 to 11 blocks: wells, small towers, tree trunks and fountains.
• 15 to 25 blocks: watchtowers, lighthouses, silos and domed rooms.
• 31 to 51 blocks: arenas, castle keeps, giant domes and lakes.
• 65 blocks and up: city walls, stadiums and mega-builds. Download the PNG; you'll want it.

Build ideas

Stack circles of shrinking sizes to make a dome or sphere: build a filled circle at the widest point, then smaller circles above and below. Use ovals for racetracks, ship hulls and stadiums. Thick outlines make strong castle towers, and a filled circle dug down a few blocks becomes a perfect pond.

Frequently asked questions