Possible Cube
A single closed cube with equal edges, shared corners and six faces.
1 editable solid pieces
Build it. Connect it. Check it.
These twenty drawings are constructed from solid pieces rather than imported illustrations. Compare the closed possible cube with the conflicting joints of the impossible cube, or inspect the ascending cycle in the impossible staircase. Open any construction in the impossible shapes detector to move its pieces and examine the connections.
Five possible assemblies
Possible Rectangular Box
One closed rectangular prism with three independently adjustable dimensions.
1 editable solid pieces
Possible Staircase
Six solid treads rise along an open flight without returning to their starting level.
6 editable solid pieces
Possible Open Arch
Three regular rectangular beams surround a genuinely empty opening.
3 editable solid pieces
Separated Solid Primitives
A cylinder, sphere, cone and pyramid remain separate closed objects. Their empty gaps stay empty.
4 editable solid pieces
Fifteen impossible constructions
Penrose Triangle — Solid Beam Study
Three individually valid rectangular beams imply a closed loop whose 3D joint equations cannot close.
3 editable solid pieces
Reutersvärd Triangle — Nine Cube Study
Nine separate cubes follow the classic three-direction arrangement. The intended equal-step loop fails 3D closure.
9 editable solid pieces
Impossible Cube — Beam Construction
Twelve rectangular beams form a hollow cube frame. The rear upright and bottom rail pass in front of the nearer frame, reversing two continuous edges.
12 editable solid pieces
Impossible Staircase — Penrose Study
Sixteen solid treads form a closed route with a positive rise at every step. A complete ascending cycle has no consistent levels.
16 editable solid pieces
Impossible Trident / Blivet
The classic Blivet: three cylindrical prongs at one end become two rectangular arms at the other. Follow the six contours to see solid material turn into empty space.
editable solid pieces
Tribox — Impossible Square
Four solid beams make the square-frame variation of the Penrose triangle; their implied connections fail 3D closure.
4 editable solid pieces
Impossible Pentagon — Beam Study
Five square-ended beams follow three orthogonal axes, with full-width corner overlaps and an impossible depth return.
5 editable solid pieces
Impossible Hexagon — Beam Study
Six square-ended beams preserve a hollow centre while the required depth offsets conflict around the loop.
6 editable solid pieces
Impossible Crate — Cube Variant
Twelve rectangular beams form a tall hollow crate. Two rear members pass in front of the nearer frame while their corner connections imply the opposite depth order.
12 editable solid pieces
Impossible Window — Frame Study
A crossed solid window frame preserves four openings but requires an inconsistent depth return at the outer joints.
6 editable solid pieces
Impossible Arch — Joinery Study
Six square-ended beams form a tall hollow arch with full-width joins and an impossible closing depth requirement.
6 editable solid pieces
Impossible Ladder — Frame Study
Five real rungs sit within a hollow frame whose intended depth connections cannot all agree.
9 editable solid pieces
Impossible Gate — Joinery Study
Four upright beams and an outer frame retain their gaps; the enclosing depth cycle remains inconsistent.
8 editable solid pieces
Double Tribar — Six Beam Study
A six-piece subdivision of the classic tribar retains the same impossible three-axis return.
6 editable solid pieces
Impossible Beam Loop — Eight Beam Study
Eight square-ended beams form a stepped hollow loop with full-width corner overlaps and incompatible depth order.
8 editable solid pieces