Gear Paint - Draw Gears and Watch Them Turn

Overview

Gear Paint is a browser drawing tool where you create gears by dragging and watch them mesh and rotate together.

The first gear acts like a motor and turns automatically. Later gears move only when another gear transfers force to them.

No installation or login is required. It is free to use on smartphones, tablets, and computers.

How to use

Press the point where you want the center of a gear.
Keep dragging. The distance from the start point controls the gear size.
Change the drag direction to change the number of teeth.
Release your finger or mouse to create the gear.
Place later gears near the first or another moving gear and adjust the position until the teeth mesh.

Gear size

A longer drag creates a larger gear.

A gear is not created when the drag is too short.

Number of teeth

The drag angle changes the number of teeth. Rotate the drag direction while watching the preview outline.

The first gear

Only the first gear turns automatically. After a reset, the first gear you draw becomes the driving gear.

Later gears do not have their own motor. They rotate when they mesh with a moving gear.

When gears do not mesh

Leave a small gap so the tooth tips do not overlap too deeply.

Try gears with different sizes or tooth counts until their tooth spacing is similar.

If the gears overlap too much, reset or redraw them with a little more space.

Ways to play

Combine large and small gears and compare their rotation speeds
Build a straight gear train or a ring
Watch the rotation direction alternate from gear to gear
Compare gears with few and many teeth
See how far you can transmit rotation

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is it free?: Yes. It is free to use.
Q. Do I need to install an app or log in?: No. Open it directly in your browser.
Q. Why does only the first gear turn automatically?: The first gear is the power source that transfers rotation to the other gears.
Q. Why is a gear not turning?: Place it so its teeth lightly mesh with the first gear or another moving gear. Rotation will not transfer if the gears are too far apart or overlap too deeply.
Q. Can I use it on a smartphone?: Yes. It works on smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Q. May I use screenshots?: Yes. You may use screenshots in videos, websites, social media, and blogs.

Use at school and home

Gear Paint can be used for creative play and for observing relationships between gear size, tooth count, speed, and rotation direction.

Because no typing or registration is required, it also works well for short tablet activities.

The site owner accepts no responsibility for trouble, damage, or disputes caused by using or introducing Gear Paint. Please use it at your own discretion and responsibility.