Water Cycle Diagram
Free printable water cycle diagram showing evaporation, condensation, precipitation, collection and more — with labels and flow arrows. Download a high-resolution PDF or PNG for Letter paper.
The water cycle, stage by stage
The water cycle is the continuous journey water takes between the oceans, the air and the land. Here is what happens at each labeled part of the diagram:
| Stage | What it does |
|---|---|
| Evaporation | The sun heats water in oceans, lakes and rivers and turns it into invisible water vapor that rises into the air. |
| Transpiration | Plants release water vapor into the air through their leaves. |
| Condensation | High in the sky the vapor cools and turns into tiny droplets that form clouds. |
| Precipitation | When the droplets grow heavy enough, water falls back to Earth as rain, snow, sleet or hail. |
| Collection | The fallen water gathers in oceans, lakes, rivers and streams. |
| Runoff | Water flows downhill across the land into rivers, lakes and the ocean. |
| Groundwater | Some water soaks into the soil and is stored underground. |
Companion worksheet
A free fill-in worksheet with an answer key, built from the labels above — students match each stage 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 water cycle?
The water cycle is the continuous process by which water moves between the oceans, the air and the land — evaporating, condensing into clouds, falling as precipitation, and collecting again.
What are the stages of the water cycle?
The main stages are evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, collection, runoff and groundwater.
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.