Tape Diagram Generator Bar Model & Strip Diagram
Make a tape diagram (bar model / strip diagram) online — type your numbers and get a clean, to-scale bar model for part-part-whole, comparison, ratio, and fraction problems. Free SVG/PNG download, plus an AI mode for word-problem illustrations.
Tape Diagram Examples
Part-whole, comparison, ratio, and fraction bar models — drawn to scale by the exact engine
Part-Part-Whole
The classic part-part-whole bar model — two parts joined into one bar with a brace for the total.
Three Labeled Parts
Any number of parts, each drawn to scale and labeled — perfect for grouping and addition problems.
Comparison Bar Model
Two bars stacked for comparison, with the difference automatically marked — built for “how many more” problems.
Fraction — 3/8
A fraction bar split into equal cells with the numerator shaded — clear for 3/8 and any fraction of a whole.
Fraction — 2/3
Equal cells make the denominator obvious and the shaded numerator easy to read — great for fraction-of-a-set.
Ratio Bar Model (3 : 2)
Use the comparison mode for ratios — the bar lengths show the ratio at a glance.
What is a tape diagram?
A tape diagram — also called a bar model or strip diagram — is a rectangle (or set of rectangles) drawn to scale to represent a math problem. The length of each bar stands for a quantity, so the relationships between numbers become visual: parts add up to a whole, longer bars mean larger amounts, and the gap between two bars is their difference. Tape diagrams are central to Singapore math and the Common Core, used from elementary addition all the way through ratios and algebra.
Tape diagram, bar model, or strip diagram — what’s the difference?
They are three names for the same tool. “Tape diagram” is the term used in the Common Core and Eureka/EngageNY curricula, “bar model” comes from Singapore math, and “strip diagram” appears in Texas (TEKS) materials. All three draw quantities as proportional rectangles. This generator makes all of them — pick the mode that matches your problem and the labels and proportions take care of themselves.
Three kinds of tape diagram this tool builds
- Parts (whole): enter two or more part values and the tool draws one bar split into proportional, labeled segments with a brace for the total — ideal for part-part-whole and addition problems.
- Compare: enter two quantities and get two stacked bars drawn to scale, with the difference automatically marked — built for comparison and “how many more” questions, and for showing ratios.
- Fraction: enter a numerator and denominator and the bar is divided into equal cells with the numerator shaded — clear for fractions of a whole and fraction-of-a-set problems.
How to use the tape diagram generator
- Choose a type: Parts, Compare, or Fraction.
- Type your numbers — for parts, a comma-separated list like “5, 3, 2”; for compare, the two quantities; for fractions, the numerator and denominator.
- Add optional labels and a title so the diagram is ready for a worksheet or slide.
- Download a crisp SVG (scales to any size) or a high-resolution PNG. The diagram is drawn exactly to scale in your browser and uses no image credits.
Why bar models help students
Tape diagrams turn an abstract word problem into something a student can see. By drawing the parts and the whole, learners decide whether to add, subtract, multiply, or divide before they touch the numbers — which is exactly the reasoning step that word problems are meant to build. They bridge concrete counting and abstract equations, and the same model scales from first-grade addition to ratio and algebra, so students keep reusing a tool they already understand.
When to use the AI illustration mode
The Tape diagram mode draws exact, to-scale bars from your numbers. Switch to AI illustration when you want a full word-problem picture — a story with characters, annotations, arrows, or a worked solution shown beside the bars — that goes beyond a plain proportional diagram. Use the precise mode for accurate bars, and AI for richer teaching illustrations.
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