Cuts · Platonic solids

Tetrahedron

3D model · 4 faces · 10 mm circumsphere

The simplest solid that encloses a volume: four equilateral triangles, meeting three at each of four vertices. It is the only Platonic solid that is its own dual: join the centres of its four faces and you get a second tetrahedron.

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About the tetrahedron

The simplest solid that encloses a volume: four equilateral triangles, meeting three at each of four vertices. It is the only Platonic solid that is its own dual: join the centres of its four faces and you get a second tetrahedron.

Sphalerite and tetrahedrite grow as tetrahedra, which is where tetrahedrite gets its name. Of the five solids it fills the least of its own circumsphere.

Tetrahedron specifications

Taken from the delivered model and checked against its mesh every time this page is built.

CategoryPlatonic solids
Faces4 equilateral triangles, all congruent
Vertices4, 3 faces meeting at each
Edges6, each 8.165 mm
Schläfli symbol{3,3}
DualItself: the tetrahedron is self-dual
Dihedral angle70.529°, the same on every edge
Size8.165 x 7.071 x 6.667 mm, resting on a face
Circumsphere10.000 mm across, through every vertex
Midsphere5.774 mm across, touching every edge
Insphere3.333 mm across, touching every face
Surface area115.47 mm²
Volume64.15 mm³
Sphere fill12.3% of its circumsphere
Isoperimetric quotient0.302 (a sphere is 1)
Weight at this size1.13 ct in diamond, 1.03 ct in moissanite
OrientationMillimetres, Y up, one face resting on the ground plane, centred on the Y axis
FilesSTEP, 3DM, STL, OBJ, FBX, GLB. 3D files only, no cutting files

Tetrahedron: questions

What files come with the Tetrahedron 3D model?

Six formats: STEP (the exact solid for CAD), 3DM for Rhino, STL and OBJ meshes, FBX for Blender, 3ds Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, Unity and Unreal, and GLB for the web and AR. All are in millimetres at real-world scale, with 4 flat faces.

Is there a cutting file for the Tetrahedron?

No. The Platonic solids are sold as 3D models only, with no faceting design, tier table or diagram.

How big is the Tetrahedron model?

It measures 8.165 x 7.071 x 6.667 mm resting on a face, with every vertex on a sphere 10 mm across. All five Platonic solids share that sphere, so they nest and sit together at true relative size. Scale it uniformly to any size: for a 10 mm edge, scale by 1.2247.

How is the Tetrahedron model oriented?

Y up, with one face resting on the ground plane and the centroid on the Y axis. The midpoint of one edge of the resting face lies on the +X axis, which keeps the cube square to the axes.

Can I 3D print or cast the Tetrahedron model?

Yes. The mesh is watertight and manifold, with outward normals and no duplicate vertices, so it prints and casts without repair. Use the STEP file when you need the exact solid in CAD.

More Platonic solids

Get the Tetrahedron files

6 formatsMillimetresWatertight

Tetrahedron 3D files

The tetrahedron as exact geometry: 4 flat faces, real-world scale, ready for CAD, rendering, printing and casting. The Platonic solids are sold as 3D files only.

  • STEPExact faceted solid for CAD
  • 3DMRhino, closed mesh on its own layer
  • STLWatertight mesh for printing and casting
  • OBJMesh for modelling and rendering
  • FBXBlender, 3ds Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, Unity, Unreal
  • GLBWeb, AR and quick previews
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