Layers of the Earth Diagram
Free printable layers of the Earth diagram — a labeled cutaway showing the crust, mantle, outer core and inner core. Download a high-resolution PDF or PNG for Letter paper.
The Earth's layers, from surface to center
The Earth is built from layers, from the thin rocky crust at the surface to the solid metal core at its center. Here is what happens at each labeled part of the diagram:
| Layer | What it does | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Crust | The thin, solid outer layer of rock where we live — including the land and the ocean floor. | Without the crust, there would be no ground to stand on, no soil to grow food in, and no ocean floors to hold the seas — it is the only part of the Earth where life as we know it can exist. |
| Mantle | A thick layer of hot, slowly-flowing rock beneath the crust; it makes up most of the Earth. | Even though it moves only a few centimeters a year, the mantle's slow flow is what pushes continents apart, builds mountains, and triggers earthquakes — the ground shifting under your feet is the mantle at work. |
| Outer core | A layer of liquid iron and nickel whose movement creates the Earth's magnetic field. | Earth's magnetic field, generated by the churning liquid iron here, acts like a giant invisible shield that deflects harmful radiation from the Sun — without it, life on the surface would be bombarded by particles that strip away the atmosphere. |
| Inner core | A ball of solid iron and nickel at the very center — extremely hot, but solid because of the enormous pressure. | It sounds like a contradiction — hotter than the outer core yet somehow solid — but that paradox is proof of just how staggering the pressure at Earth's center is, squeezing iron atoms so tightly they cannot flow no matter how hot they get. |
Companion worksheet
A free fill-in worksheet with an answer key, built from the labels above — students match each layer 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 are the four layers of the Earth?
From the outside in: the crust, the mantle, the outer core and the inner core.
Why is the inner core solid if it is so hot?
The pressure at the center of the Earth is so great that the iron and nickel stay solid even at extreme temperatures, while the outer core stays liquid.
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.