How to Draw a Koala
Step by Step

How to Draw a Koala Step by Step

Follow the red lines in each picture. Red shows the new part you add in that step, and black shows what you’ve already drawn.

Step 1: Draw the Koala’s Head

Start in the upper middle of your paper. Draw a big, rounded shape that is a little wider than it is tall, with a slightly flatter bottom. This is your koala’s head. Don’t worry about making it perfect, because a slightly wobbly shape looks more natural.

Step 2: Draw the Fluffy Ears

Koalas are famous for their big, fluffy ears. On the top left and top right of the head, draw two large ear shapes. Make the outer edges bumpy and jagged to show soft fur. Each ear should be about half the size of the head.

Step 3: Draw the Nose and Cheeks

In the center of the face, draw a large oval nose that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, a bit like an upside-down egg. A big nose is what makes a koala look like a koala! Then draw two small flat ovals low on each side of the face for the cheeks.

Step 4: Draw the Eyes, Eyebrows and Smile

On each side of the nose, just above the cheeks, draw an oval eye. Color in the eyes but leave two small white circles in each one. These shiny highlights make your koala look happy and alive. Add a tiny curved eyebrow above each eye. Finally, draw a short line under the nose and a small “w” shaped smile.

Step 5: Add the Fur Tuft

At the very top of the head, between the ears, draw a small tuft of fur using two or three short, pointy curved lines. This little detail gives your koala a fluffy, playful look.

Step 6: Draw the Chest Fur

Below the chin, draw two jagged lines going down, like a small upside-down “V” made of fur. This is the soft, fluffy fur on the koala’s chest.

Step 7: Draw the Body and Arms

From each side of the head, draw a long curved line going down and slightly outward. These lines form the koala’s round body and the outside of its arms. Keep the body short and chubby for a cute look.

Step 8: Draw the Paws and Claws

At the bottom of each arm, draw a small rounded paw resting in front of the body. Add tiny curved claws to each paw. Koalas have strong claws that help them grip tree branches.

Step 9: Draw the Feet and Toe Pads

Now let’s sit your koala down! On each side of the body, draw a big round foot facing forward. Inside each foot, draw one large oval pad and three or four small oval toe pads above it. Connect the feet with a curved line at the bottom to finish the body.

Step 10: Draw the Tree Branch

Under the koala, draw two long, slightly slanted lines that go across the page. This is the tree branch your koala is sitting on. Let the branch go a little higher on the right side.

Step 11: Add Bark Texture

Make the branch look like real wood. Draw short dashes along the branch and a small oval knot with a curved line around it. Close the left end of the branch with a short curved line.

Step 12: Add Small Twigs

Extend the branch upward on the right side and draw a thin twig coming off it. Add a few tiny broken twig stubs on the top and bottom of the branch.

Step 13: Draw Eucalyptus Leaves

Koalas love eucalyptus leaves, since it’s almost the only food they eat! Draw groups of long, pointed leaves on the twigs. Add one line down the middle of each leaf for the vein. Place leaves on the left, right and under the branch.

Step 14: Clean Up the Outlines

Now go over your drawing. Erase any extra pencil lines, then trace your final lines with a black marker or dark pencil. Your koala on a branch is already looking great!

Step 15: Draw the Tree Trunk and Canopy

To finish the scene, draw a tall tree trunk on the left side of the page with a few lines for bark. Draw branches spreading out from the top, and add a bumpy, cloud-like line across the top of the page for the leafy canopy.

Step 16: Your Koala Drawing Is Done!

Trace over the tree with your marker and erase any leftover pencil lines. Congratulations, you’ve just learned how to draw a koala! Now it’s time to bring it to life with color.

How to Color Your Koala Drawing

Use these colors for a natural, cute look:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ears too small: Koala ears are big. Make each ear about half the size of the head.
• Nose too small: The nose should be the biggest feature on the face. A small nose makes it look like a bear or a mouse.
• Eyes too far apart: Keep the eyes close to the sides of the nose.
• Forgetting the eye highlights: Without white shine spots, the eyes look flat.
• Body too long: A short, round body looks much cuter than a tall one.
• Pressing too hard at the start: Sketch lightly, then darken only the final lines.

Tips for a Cuter Koala

• Make the head bigger than the body. Big heads are the secret to cute cartoon animals.
• Use round shapes everywhere and avoid sharp corners.
• Add pink cheeks for an extra sweet look.
• Try a different pose: a koala hugging a tree trunk, a sleeping koala, or a mom koala with a baby on her back.

Fun Koala Facts for Kids

• Koalas are not bears. They are marsupials, which means mothers carry their babies in a pouch.
• A baby koala is called a joey. It stays in its mother’s pouch for about six months.
• Koalas live in eastern and south-eastern Australia.
• They eat almost nothing but eucalyptus leaves.
• Koalas sleep for about 18 to 22 hours a day!
• Koalas have fingerprints that look very similar to human fingerprints.

FAQs

Is drawing a koala easy for kids?

Yes! This koala is made from simple shapes like circles, ovals and curved lines. Kids aged 5 and up can follow along, and younger children can do it with a little help.

How long does it take to draw a koala?

About 15 to 20 minutes for the full drawing with the tree. If you only draw the koala (steps 1–9), it takes around 10 minutes.

What is the easiest way to start a koala drawing?

Start with the head. Draw a wide, rounded shape first, then add the big fluffy ears. Once the head is done, the rest of the koala is easy to build.

What color is a koala?

Koalas are mostly gray with white or cream fur on the chest and inside the ears. Their noses are black.

Can I draw a koala without the tree?

Of course! Just stop after Step 9 and you’ll have a cute sitting koala. You can also draw a simple ground line under its feet instead of a branch.