Create publication-quality diagrams directly in LaTeX using TikZ. This comprehensive guide covers basic shapes to complex technical illustrations, including flowcharts, graphs, circuits, and scientific diagrams.
Prerequisites: Basic LaTeX knowledge
Time to complete: 40-45 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
What you’ll learn: TikZ syntax, libraries, drawing techniques, and practical examples

​
Introduction to TikZ

​
What is TikZ?

TikZ (TikZ ist kein Zeichenprogramm - TikZ is not a drawing program) is a powerful package for creating graphics programmatically in LaTeX. It provides:

Precise Control

Exact positioning and measurements

Consistency

Matching document fonts and styles

Programmable

Loops, variables, and calculations

Integration

Seamless LaTeX integration

​
Basic Setup

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tikz}

% Load common libraries
\usetikzlibrary{
    arrows.meta,      % Arrow styles
    positioning,      % Relative positioning
    shapes.geometric, % Additional shapes
    calc,            % Coordinate calculations
    patterns,        % Fill patterns
    decorations.pathmorphing, % Path decorations
    backgrounds,     % Background layers
    fit,            % Fitting nodes
    chains,         % Chain positioning
    shadows         % Drop shadows
}

\begin{document}

% Inline TikZ
\begin{tikzpicture}
    \draw (0,0) -- (2,1);
\end{tikzpicture}

% Centered figure
\begin{figure}[htbp]
    \centering
    \begin{tikzpicture}
        % Drawing commands here
    \end{tikzpicture}
    \caption{TikZ diagram}
\end{figure}

\end{document}

​
Basic Drawing

​
Coordinates and Paths

\begin{tikzpicture}[scale=1.5]
    % Cartesian coordinates
    \draw[->] (-0.5,0) -- (4,0) node[right] {$x$};
    \draw[->] (0,-0.5) -- (0,3) node[above] {$y$};
    
    % Points
    \fill (1,1) circle (2pt) node[below] {$(1,1)$};
    \fill (3,2) circle (2pt) node[right] {$(3,2)$};
    
    % Path with multiple segments
    \draw[thick, blue] (0,0) -- (1,1) -- (2,0.5) -- (3,2);
    
    % Curved path
    \draw[thick, red] (0,2) .. controls (1,3) and (2,1) .. (3,2.5);
    
    % Closed path
    \draw[thick, green, fill=green!20] 
        (0.5,0.5) -- (1.5,0.5) -- (1,1.5) -- cycle;
        
    % Polar coordinates
    \draw[purple] (0,0) -- (45:2) node[midway, above] {$(45:2)$};
    
    % Relative coordinates
    \draw[orange, thick] (2,1) -- ++(1,0.5) -- ++(0.5,-0.5);
\end{tikzpicture}

​
Nodes and Labels

\begin{tikzpicture}[
    every node/.style={font=\sffamily},
    main node/.style={circle, draw, minimum size=1cm}
]
    % Basic nodes
    \node (A) at (0,0) {Simple text};
    \node[draw] (B) at (3,0) {Boxed text};
    \node[circle, draw] (C) at (6,0) {Circle};
    
    % Styled nodes
    \node[main node, fill=blue!20] (D) at (0,2) {D};
    \node[rectangle, draw, rounded corners, fill=red!20] (E) at (3,2) {Rect};
    \node[ellipse, draw, fill=green!20] (F) at (6,2) {Ellipse};
    
    % Node connections
    \draw[->] (A) -- (B);
    \draw[->] (B) -- (C);
    \draw[<->, thick] (D) -- (E);
    \draw[->, dashed] (E) -- (F);
    
    % Labels on edges
    \draw[->] (D) -- (A) node[midway, left] {edge};
    \draw[->] (F) -- (C) node[near start, right] {label};
\end{tikzpicture}

​
Flowcharts and Diagrams

​
Basic Flowcharts

\begin{tikzpicture}[
    node distance=2cm,
    startstop/.style={rectangle, rounded corners, draw, fill=red!30, minimum width=3cm, minimum height=1cm},
    process/.style={rectangle, draw, fill=blue!30, minimum width=3cm, minimum height=1cm},
    decision/.style={diamond, draw, fill=green!30, minimum width=3cm, minimum height=1cm, aspect=2},
    io/.style={trapezium, trapezium left angle=70, trapezium right angle=110, draw, fill=yellow!30, minimum width=3cm, minimum height=1cm},
    arrow/.style={thick, ->, >=stealth}
]
    % Nodes
    \node[startstop] (start) {Start};
    \node[io, below=of start] (input) {Input data};
    \node[process, below=of input] (process1) {Process data};
    \node[decision, below=of process1] (decision) {Valid?};
    \node[process, below=of decision] (process2) {Generate output};
    \node[startstop, below=of process2] (stop) {End};
    
    % Alternative path
    \node[process, right=3cm of decision] (error) {Handle error};
    
    % Connections
    \draw[arrow] (start) -- (input);
    \draw[arrow] (input) -- (process1);
    \draw[arrow] (process1) -- (decision);
    \draw[arrow] (decision) -- node[left] {Yes} (process2);
    \draw[arrow] (decision) -- node[above] {No} (error);
    \draw[arrow] (error) |- (input);
    \draw[arrow] (process2) -- (stop);
\end{tikzpicture}

​
State Diagrams

\begin{tikzpicture}[
    >=stealth,
    node distance=3cm,
    state/.style={circle, draw, minimum size=1.5cm, font=\small},
    initial/.style={state, fill=green!30},
    final/.style={state, double, fill=red!30},
    transition/.style={->, thick}
]
    % States
    \node[initial] (idle) {Idle};
    \node[state, right=of idle] (loading) {Loading};
    \node[state, right=of loading] (active) {Active};
    \node[state, below=of active] (error) {Error};
    \node[final, below=of idle] (terminated) {Done};
    
    % Transitions
    \draw[transition] (idle) -- node[above] {start} (loading);
    \draw[transition] (loading) -- node[above] {success} (active);
    \draw[transition] (loading) -- node[right] {fail} (error);
    \draw[transition] (active) -- node[right] {complete} (terminated);
    \draw[transition] (error) -- node[below] {retry} (loading);
    \draw[transition] (error) -- node[left] {abort} (terminated);
    \draw[transition, bend left=30] (active) to node[above] {reset} (idle);
    
    % Self loop
    \draw[transition] (active) to[loop above] node {update} (active);
\end{tikzpicture}

​
Graphs and Trees

​
Graph Structures

\begin{tikzpicture}[
    node distance=2cm,
    vertex/.style={circle, draw, fill=blue!20, minimum size=8mm},
    edge/.style={thick}
]
    % Vertices
    \node[vertex] (A) {A};
    \node[vertex, right=of A] (B) {B};
    \node[vertex, below right=of A] (C) {C};
    \node[vertex, below left=of A] (D) {D};
    \node[vertex, below=of C] (E) {E};
    
    % Edges
    \draw[edge] (A) -- (B);
    \draw[edge] (A) -- (C);
    \draw[edge] (A) -- (D);
    \draw[edge] (B) -- (C);
    \draw[edge] (C) -- (D);
    \draw[edge] (C) -- (E);
    \draw[edge] (D) -- (E);
    
    % Edge labels
    \draw[edge] (B) -- node[above right] {5} (E);
\end{tikzpicture}

​
Tree Structures

\begin{tikzpicture}[
    level distance=1.5cm,
    level 1/.style={sibling distance=4cm},
    level 2/.style={sibling distance=2cm},
    level 3/.style={sibling distance=1cm},
    treenode/.style={circle, draw, fill=green!30, minimum size=8mm},
    edge from parent/.style={draw, ->, >=stealth}
]
    % Binary tree
    \node[treenode] {8}
        child {
            node[treenode] {3}
            child {
                node[treenode] {1}
            }
            child {
                node[treenode] {6}
                child {
                    node[treenode] {4}
                }
                child {
                    node[treenode] {7}
                }
            }
        }
        child {
            node[treenode] {10}
            child[missing] {}
            child {
                node[treenode] {14}
                child {
                    node[treenode] {13}
                }
                child[missing] {}
            }
        };
\end{tikzpicture}

​
Scientific Diagrams

​
Mathematical Diagrams

\begin{tikzpicture}[scale=1.5]
    % Axes
    \draw[->] (-0.5,0) -- (4,0) node[right] {$x$};
    \draw[->] (0,-0.5) -- (0,3) node[above] {$y$};
    
    % Grid
    \draw[gray, very thin] (0,0) grid (3.5,2.5);
    
    % Function plots
    \draw[blue, thick, domain=0:3.5, samples=100] 
        plot (\x, {0.5*\x*\x - \x + 1});
    \draw[red, thick, domain=0:3.5, samples=100] 
        plot (\x, {sin(\x r) + 1});
    \draw[green, thick, domain=0.1:3.5, samples=100] 
        plot (\x, {ln(\x) + 1});
        
    % Labels
    \node[blue] at (3,2.2) {$f(x) = \frac{1}{2}x^2 - x + 1$};
    \node[red] at (2,0.3) {$g(x) = \sin(x) + 1$};
    \node[green] at (3.2,1.3) {$h(x) = \ln(x) + 1$};
    
    % Points of interest
    \fill[blue] (2,1) circle (2pt) node[above right] {$(2,1)$};
\end{tikzpicture}

​
Physics Diagrams

\begin{tikzpicture}[
    force/.style={->, thick, blue},
    mass/.style={rectangle, draw, fill=gray!30, minimum width=1.5cm, minimum height=1.5cm}
]
    % Free body diagram
    \node[mass] (m) {$m$};
    
    % Forces
    \draw[force] (m.north) -- ++(0,2) node[above] {$N$};
    \draw[force] (m.south) -- ++(0,-2) node[below] {$mg$};
    \draw[force] (m.east) -- ++(1.5,0) node[right] {$F$};
    \draw[force] (m.west) -- ++(-1,0) node[left] {$f$};
    
    % Surface
    \draw[thick] (-3,-0.75) -- (3,-0.75);
    \foreach \x in {-3,-2.5,...,3} {
        \draw (\x,-0.75) -- (\x-0.25,-1);
    }
    
    % Angle for inclined plane
    \begin{scope}[xshift=6cm]
        \draw[thick] (0,0) -- (4,0) -- (4,2) -- cycle;
        \node[mass, rotate=26.57] at (2.5,1.25) {$m$};
        \draw[force] (2.5,1.25) -- ++(0,-2) node[below] {$mg$};
        \draw[force, rotate=26.57] (2.5,1.25) -- ++(0,1.5) node[above] {$N$};
        \node at (0.5,0.15) {$\theta$};
    \end{scope}
\end{tikzpicture}

​
Advanced Techniques

​
Loops and Automation

\begin{tikzpicture}
    % Grid of nodes using foreach
    \foreach \x in {0,1,2,3,4} {
        \foreach \y in {0,1,2,3} {
            \node[circle, draw, fill=blue!\x0!green!\y0] 
                at (\x,\y) {\tiny \x,\y};
        }
    }
    
    % Radial pattern
    \begin{scope}[xshift=7cm, yshift=2cm]
        \foreach \angle in {0,30,...,330} {
            \draw[thick, color=red!\angle!blue] 
                (0,0) -- (\angle:2);
            \fill[color=red!\angle!blue] 
                (\angle:2) circle (2pt);
        }
    \end{scope}
    
    % Connected graph
    \begin{scope}[yshift=-5cm]
        \foreach \i in {1,...,6} {
            \node[circle, draw, fill=orange!30] 
                (n\i) at ({360/6 * (\i-1)}:2) {\i};
        }
        \foreach \i in {1,...,6} {
            \foreach \j in {\i,...,6} {
                \draw[gray] (n\i) -- (n\j);
            }
        }
    \end{scope}
\end{tikzpicture}

​
Styles and Scopes

\begin{tikzpicture}[
    % Define custom styles
    my node/.style={
        circle, 
        draw=#1, 
        fill=#1!20, 
        minimum size=1cm,
        font=\bfseries
    },
    my edge/.style={
        thick,
        ->,
        >=stealth,
        #1
    },
    important/.style={
        my node=red,
        drop shadow
    },
    normal/.style={
        my node=blue
    }
]
    % Use custom styles
    \node[important] (A) at (0,0) {A};
    \node[normal] (B) at (3,0) {B};
    \node[normal] (C) at (3,3) {C};
    \node[important] (D) at (0,3) {D};
    
    % Styled edges
    \draw[my edge={red, dashed}] (A) -- (B);
    \draw[my edge={blue}] (B) -- (C);
    \draw[my edge={green, bend left}] (C) -- (D);
    \draw[my edge={orange, bend right}] (D) -- (A);
    
    % Scope with different settings
    \begin{scope}[xshift=6cm, scale=0.8, opacity=0.7]
        \node[my node=purple] (E) at (0,0) {E};
        \node[my node=cyan] (F) at (2,2) {F};
        \draw[my edge={thick}] (E) -- (F);
    \end{scope}
\end{tikzpicture}

​
Decorations and Patterns

\begin{tikzpicture}[
    decoration={
        snake,
        amplitude=.5mm,
        segment length=3mm
    }
]
    % Different decorations
    \draw[decorate, thick] (0,0) -- (3,0) node[right] {snake};
    
    \draw[
        decoration={coil, segment length=4mm},
        decorate, thick
    ] (0,1) -- (3,1) node[right] {coil};
    
    \draw[
        decoration={zigzag, segment length=4mm},
        decorate, thick
    ] (0,2) -- (3,2) node[right] {zigzag};
    
    \draw[
        decoration={random steps, segment length=3mm},
        decorate, thick
    ] (0,3) -- (3,3) node[right] {random};
    
    % Text along path
    \draw[
        decoration={
            text along path,
            text={This text follows the curve!}
        },
        decorate
    ] (5,0) .. controls (6,2) and (7,2) .. (8,0);
    
    % Arrow decorations
    \draw[
        thick,
        decoration={
            markings,
            mark=at position 0.25 with {\arrow{>}},
            mark=at position 0.5 with {\arrow{>}},
            mark=at position 0.75 with {\arrow{>}}
        },
        postaction={decorate}
    ] (5,3) circle (1);
\end{tikzpicture}

​
Best Practices

​
Optimization Tips

TikZ best practices:
  1. Use styles - Define reusable styles for consistency
  2. Name nodes - Makes connections easier
  3. Use calculations - Let TikZ compute positions
  4. Layer wisely - Background, main, foreground
  5. Externalize - Compile complex diagrams separately
  6. Comment code - Especially for complex diagrams
  7. Use libraries - Don’t reinvent the wheel
  8. Test incrementally - Build diagrams step by step

​
Common Pitfalls

Avoid these TikZ mistakes:
  1. Hardcoded positions - Use relative positioning
  2. Repeated code - Use loops and styles
  3. Complex paths - Break into smaller parts
  4. Missing libraries - Load required libraries
  5. Scale issues - Test at final size
  6. Memory problems - Externalize large diagrams
  7. Forgotten semicolons - Every command needs one

​
Complete Examples

​
Network Diagram

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tikz}
\usetikzlibrary{positioning, shapes.geometric, shadows, backgrounds}

\begin{document}

\begin{tikzpicture}[
    node distance=2cm,
    server/.style={
        rectangle, draw, fill=blue!20,
        minimum width=2cm, minimum height=1.5cm,
        drop shadow, font=\small
    },
    client/.style={
        rectangle, draw, fill=green!20,
        minimum width=1.5cm, minimum height=1cm,
        drop shadow, font=\small
    },
    database/.style={
        cylinder, draw, fill=orange!20,
        minimum width=2cm, minimum height=1.5cm,
        shape border rotate=90,
        drop shadow, font=\small
    },
    cloud/.style={
        cloud, draw, fill=gray!20,
        minimum width=3cm, minimum height=2cm,
        drop shadow, font=\small
    },
    connection/.style={thick, ->, >=stealth},
    label/.style={font=\footnotesize, fill=white, inner sep=2pt}
]
    % Core components
    \node[cloud] (internet) {Internet};
    \node[server, below=3cm of internet] (loadbalancer) {Load Balancer};
    
    % Web servers
    \node[server, below left=2cm and 1cm of loadbalancer] (web1) {Web Server 1};
    \node[server, below right=2cm and 1cm of loadbalancer] (web2) {Web Server 2};
    
    % Application servers
    \node[server, below=of web1] (app1) {App Server 1};
    \node[server, below=of web2] (app2) {App Server 2};
    
    % Databases
    \node[database, below right=2cm and 0cm of app1] (db1) {Primary DB};
    \node[database, right=1cm of db1] (db2) {Replica DB};
    
    % Clients
    \node[client, left=3cm of internet] (client1) {Client 1};
    \node[client, above left=1cm and 2cm of internet] (client2) {Client 2};
    \node[client, above right=1cm and 2cm of internet] (client3) {Client 3};
    
    % Connections
    \draw[connection] (client1) -- (internet);
    \draw[connection] (client2) -- (internet);
    \draw[connection] (client3) -- (internet);
    
    \draw[connection, <->] (internet) -- node[label] {HTTPS} (loadbalancer);
    
    \draw[connection] (loadbalancer) -- (web1);
    \draw[connection] (loadbalancer) -- (web2);
    
    \draw[connection] (web1) -- (app1);
    \draw[connection] (web2) -- (app2);
    
    \draw[connection] (app1) -- (db1);
    \draw[connection] (app2) -- (db1);
    \draw[connection, <->] (db1) -- node[label] {Sync} (db2);
    
    % Background regions
    \begin{pgfonlayer}{background}
        \fill[yellow!20, rounded corners] 
            ([shift={(-0.5,0.5)}]loadbalancer.north west) 
            rectangle 
            ([shift={(0.5,-0.5)}]db2.south east);
        \node[above] at (loadbalancer.north) {Data Center};
    \end{pgfonlayer}
\end{tikzpicture}

\end{document}

​
Data Flow Diagram

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tikz}
\usetikzlibrary{arrows.meta, positioning, shapes, decorations.pathmorphing}

\begin{document}

\begin{tikzpicture}[
    >=latex,
    node distance=2.5cm,
    process/.style={
        rectangle, draw, fill=blue!30,
        minimum width=3cm, minimum height=1cm,
        rounded corners, font=\small\sffamily
    },
    data/.style={
        trapezium, draw, fill=green!30,
        trapezium left angle=70,
        trapezium right angle=110,
        minimum width=2.5cm, minimum height=0.8cm,
        font=\small\sffamily
    },
    storage/.style={
        rectangle, draw, fill=orange!30,
        minimum width=2.5cm, minimum height=0.8cm,
        path picture={
            \draw ([xshift=0.1cm]path picture bounding box.north west) 
                -- ([xshift=-0.1cm]path picture bounding box.north east);
        },
        font=\small\sffamily
    },
    flow/.style={thick, ->, >=stealth},
    label/.style={font=\footnotesize, above, sloped}
]
    % Input layer
    \node[data] (input) {Raw Data};
    
    % Processing pipeline
    \node[process, below=of input] (validate) {Validate};
    \node[process, below=of validate] (transform) {Transform};
    \node[process, below=of transform] (analyze) {Analyze};
    
    % Storage
    \node[storage, right=3cm of validate] (raw) {Raw Storage};
    \node[storage, right=3cm of transform] (processed) {Processed DB};
    \node[storage, right=3cm of analyze] (results) {Results Cache};
    
    % Output
    \node[data, below=of analyze] (output) {Reports};
    \node[process, right=of output] (visualize) {Visualize};
    \node[data, right=of visualize] (dashboard) {Dashboard};
    
    % Main flow
    \draw[flow] (input) -- node[label] {Stream} (validate);
    \draw[flow] (validate) -- node[label] {Valid} (transform);
    \draw[flow] (transform) -- node[label] {Clean} (analyze);
    \draw[flow] (analyze) -- node[label] {Insights} (output);
    
    % Storage connections
    \draw[flow, dashed] (validate) -- node[label] {Archive} (raw);
    \draw[flow, dashed] (transform) -- node[label] {Store} (processed);
    \draw[flow, dashed] (analyze) -- node[label] {Cache} (results);
    
    % Visualization flow
    \draw[flow] (output) -- (visualize);
    \draw[flow] (visualize) -- (dashboard);
    \draw[flow, bend right] (results) to node[label, below] {Query} (visualize);
    
    % Error handling
    \node[process, left=2cm of transform, fill=red!30] (error) {Error Handler};
    \draw[flow, red, bend right] (validate) to node[label, below] {Invalid} (error);
    \draw[flow, red, bend right] (transform) to node[label, below] {Failed} (error);
    \draw[flow, red] (error) |- (input);
    
    % Decorations
    \node[above=0.5cm of input, font=\large\bfseries] {Data Processing Pipeline};
    
    % Legend
    \begin{scope}[xshift=8cm, yshift=-3cm]
        \node[process, minimum width=2cm] (l1) at (0,0) {Process};
        \node[data, minimum width=2cm] (l2) at (0,-1) {Data};
        \node[storage, minimum width=2cm] (l3) at (0,-2) {Storage};
        \draw[flow] (3,0) -- node[above] {Flow} (4.5,0);
        \draw[flow, dashed] (3,-1) -- node[above] {Store} (4.5,-1);
        \node[above=0.3cm of l1, font=\bfseries] {Legend};
    \end{scope}
\end{tikzpicture}

\end{document}

​
Next Steps

Explore more LaTeX visualization:

PGFPlots

Advanced plotting and charts

Circuit Diagrams

Electronic circuit drawings

Chemical Structures

Molecular diagrams

3D Graphics

Three-dimensional drawings
Pro tip: Start simple and build complexity gradually. Use the TikZ manual (texdoc tikz) as your reference - it’s comprehensive with excellent examples. Consider externalizing complex diagrams to speed up compilation of your main document.