Rock Cycle Diagram
Free printable rock cycle diagram showing igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock and the processes that connect them — with labels and flow arrows. Download PDF or PNG for Letter paper.
The rock cycle, step by step
The rock cycle is the slow, never-ending process by which rock changes from one type to another. Here is what happens at each labeled part of the diagram:
| Step | What it does |
|---|---|
| Igneous rock | Forms when melted rock (magma or lava) cools and hardens. |
| Weathering and erosion | Wind, water and ice break rock into small pieces and carry them away. |
| Deposition | The small pieces, called sediment, settle and pile up in layers. |
| Sedimentary rock | Layers of sediment are pressed and cemented together over long periods of time. |
| Heat and pressure | Buried deep underground, rock is squeezed and heated without melting. |
| Metamorphic rock | Rock that has been changed by heat and pressure into a new form. |
| Melting | Rock gets hot enough to melt back into magma. |
| Magma | Molten (melted) rock beneath the Earth's surface. |
| Cooling and crystallization | Magma cools and forms crystals, becoming igneous rock again. |
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 rock cycle?
The rock cycle is the never-ending process by which rocks change from one type to another — igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic — through weathering, deposition, heat, pressure and melting.
What are the three types of rock?
Igneous rock (cooled magma or lava), sedimentary rock (compacted layers of sediment), and metamorphic rock (rock changed by heat and pressure).
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.