AutoCAD POLYGON Command: How to Draw Regular Polygons

Draws an equal-sided regular polygon as a closed polyline.

Command: POLYGON
Aliases: POL
English name: Polygon

The AutoCAD POLYGON command draws regular polygons with equal sides and angles. You enter the number of sides, then either fit the polygon inside or outside an imaginary circle, or define it by the two endpoints of one edge.

Inscribed puts the vertices on the circle; circumscribed makes the midpoints of the sides touch the circle. For a hex nut where you know the across-flats size, circumscribed gives the correct result.

The polygon is created as a single closed polyline.

How to use it

Type POLYGON or POL and press Enter.
Enter the number of sides, for example 6 for a hexagon.
Pick the center point, or type E (Edge) to draw by side length.
Choose I (inscribed) or C (circumscribed).
Type the radius or pick it with the cursor.

Options

Edge (E): Defines the polygon by the two endpoints of one side.
Inscribed in circle (I): Places the vertices on a circle of the given radius.
Circumscribed about circle (C): Makes the side midpoints tangent to a circle of the given radius.

Notes and tips

The number of sides can range from 3 to 1024.
If you pick the radius with the cursor, the cursor also sets the rotation; typing the radius keeps the bottom edge horizontal.
The last number of sides and the I/C choice are offered as defaults next time.