Parts of a Wave Diagram
Free printable parts of a wave diagram — a labeled illustration showing the crest, trough, wavelength, amplitude and rest position. Download a high-resolution PDF or PNG for Letter paper.
The parts of a wave
A wave carries energy from one place to another. These are its main parts. Here is what happens at each labeled part of the diagram:
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| Crest | The highest point of a wave. |
| Trough | The lowest point of a wave. |
| Wavelength | The distance from one crest to the next crest. |
| Amplitude | The height of the wave from the rest position up to a crest. |
| Rest position | The level line the wave moves up and down from. |
Companion worksheet
A free fill-in worksheet with an answer key, built from the labels above — students match each part 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 parts of a wave?
The main parts are the crest, the trough, the wavelength, the amplitude and the rest position.
What is the difference between wavelength and amplitude?
Wavelength is the distance from one crest to the next, while amplitude is the height of the wave from the middle to a crest.
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.