Circle maze generator with answer keys
Round mazes that start at the top of the outer wall and finish at the star in the middle. The circle shape is already selected: pick a size, check the page, then print a batch or save it as a vector PDF.
All pages in this batch
Circle maze sizes
Each level adds rings. More rings mean more cells, a longer answer route and more dead ends to back out of. The numbers below are averages over 30 generated mazes per level.
| Level | Ages | Rings | Cells | Answer route | Dead ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 3–5 | 3 | 43 | 17 | 5 |
| Easy | 5–7 | 5 | 91 | 36 | 10 |
| Medium | 7–9 | 8 | 235 | 78 | 26 |
| Hard | 9–12 | 12 | 475 | 164 | 50 |
| Expert | 12+ | 16 | 859 | 250 | 89 |
Answer route: cells on the one correct path from the entrance to the centre.
Examples at four sizes
Real circle mazes from this generator. Click one to load it, with its seed, into the maker above.
How a circle maze is built
A circle maze, often called a theta maze, is a grid of rings around a centre cell. The first ring has six cells. Further out, a ring is split into twice as many cells whenever the cells would otherwise get too wide, so the corridors stay about the same width from the middle to the edge.
The generator then opens walls between cells until every cell is connected and there is exactly one route between any two of them. The entrance is a gap at the top of the outer wall and the finish is the star in the centre. On answer pages that route is drawn in red.
Because the goal is in the middle, a circle maze is easy to explain to young children: get to the star in the middle
. The curved corridors still make it harder than it looks, because a branch that seems to head inwards can lead back out to the edge.
Tips for printing circle mazes
- Two per page for small sizes. Starter and Easy circles stay clear at half a page, which halves the photocopying. From Hard upwards, print one per page so the inner rings are not cramped.
- Bold walls for young children. The inner rings have the narrowest curves; bold walls make them easier to follow with a crayon.
- A different maze for every child. A batch of 12 gives each maze its own seed, so neighbours do not share an answer. Put the keys at the end to hold them back.
- Mixing shapes. A batch uses one shape. For a mixed set, make a second batch in another shape, for example on the maze shapes page, and print both.
Not sure which size to pick? The maze difficulty by age guide compares all five levels. For tactics to teach, see how to solve a maze.
Circle maze FAQ
What is a circle maze called?
A maze made of rings of curved cells around a centre is often called a theta maze. Maze Lab draws it with a round outer wall, an entrance at the top and the finish in the middle.
Where does a circle maze start and finish?
The entrance is the gap at the top of the outer wall, marked with an arrow. The finish is the star in the centre cell.
Do circle mazes have only one solution?
Yes. Every maze here is a perfect maze: all cells are connected and there is exactly one route from the entrance to the centre, with no loops.
Which circle maze size suits my child?
Start with 3 rings (Starter) for ages 3 to 5, 5 rings for 5 to 7 and 8 rings for 7 to 9. Older children and adults can try 12 or 16 rings.
Can I print circle mazes with answer keys?
Yes. Choose answer keys after each page, all at the end (four to a page) or none. The answer route is drawn in red.
Can I put circle and square mazes in one PDF?
Not in one batch: a batch uses one shape. Make a second batch in another shape and print both, or keep both share links together.
Does this need an account?
No. Mazes are generated in your browser. Nothing is uploaded and there is no sign-up.