The Greenhouse Effect
Free printable greenhouse effect diagram — showing how sunlight warms the Earth and greenhouse gases trap some of the heat, with labels. Download a high-resolution PDF or PNG for Letter paper.
How the greenhouse effect works
The greenhouse effect is the way certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the Sun, keeping the Earth warm enough for living things. Here is what happens at each labeled part of the diagram:
| Step | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sunlight arrives | Energy from the Sun travels through the atmosphere and reaches the Earth's surface. |
| The ground warms up | The surface absorbs the sunlight, warms up, and then gives off heat. |
| Greenhouse gases trap heat | Gases such as carbon dioxide absorb some of the rising heat and send it back down, keeping the Earth warm. |
| Some heat escapes | The rest of the heat passes through the atmosphere and escapes into space. |
Companion worksheet
A free fill-in worksheet with an answer key, built from the labels above — students match each step to its description, then answer a couple of short questions. Great for a quick check after using the diagram.
How to print
Choose Download PDF for a ready-to-print file that fits US Letter paper (8.5 × 11") in landscape, or Download PNG for the high-resolution image.
Frequently asked questions
What is the greenhouse effect?
It is the process by which gases in the atmosphere trap some of the Sun's heat, keeping the Earth warm enough to support life. Too much greenhouse gas traps extra heat and warms the planet.
What are greenhouse gases?
Gases in the atmosphere that trap heat, such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor.
What paper size should I print this on?
The diagram is sized for standard US Letter paper (8.5 × 11") in landscape orientation. Use "Download PDF" for a print-ready file that fits the page automatically.