Start with a straightforward circle for the body

The easiest way to draw a piggy bank is to build it from basic shapes. Begin by drawing a large circle in the center of your paper — this will be the pig's body. You don't need it to be perfect; a slightly wobbly circle works fine and actually looks more charming.

Use a pencil so you can erase if you need to adjust the size. Make the circle large enough that you'll have room to add the pig's head, legs, and snout without crowding them together. This foundation shape is what everything else will attach to, so take a moment to get it roughly the size you want before moving forward.

Add the head and snout

Draw a smaller circle overlapping the top-left or top-right of the body circle — this is the pig's head. The head should be about half the size of the body, positioned so it looks like the pig is facing slightly to one side or straight ahead.

For the snout, draw a small oval or circle at the front of the head, pointing slightly downward or forward. This is what makes it look like a pig. Add two small dots inside the snout for nostrils. The snout is the detail that tells viewers this is a pig and not just any round animal.

Create four sturdy legs

Draw four short, thick rectangles or cylinders underneath the body circle — one at each corner. Pig legs are stubby, so keep them short and wide rather than long and thin. Space them evenly so the piggy bank looks balanced and stable.

You can make the legs slightly curved instead of perfectly straight if you want a softer look. The bottom of each leg can be a small rectangle to represent the hoof. Make sure the legs are positioned so they would actually support the weight of the body if this were a real pig.

Add ears and a curly tail

On top of the head, draw two small triangles or rounded shapes for ears. Pig ears are floppy, so you can angle them outward or let them hang down slightly. Some people draw them standing straight up — either way works, and it's your choice based on what looks good to you.

For the tail, draw a spiral or corkscrew shape coming out of the back of the body. Start at the rear of the circle and curl the line around itself several times, getting smaller as you go. A curly tail is the classic pig detail and makes the drawing when ready recognizable as a pig rather than another animal.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with a large circle for the body and a smaller circle for the head, overlapping slightly at the top.
  • Add a small oval snout with two dots for nostrils to make it clearly look like a pig.
  • Draw four short, sturdy rectangles underneath for legs, spaced evenly so the bank looks balanced.
  • A curly spiral tail and two small ear triangles complete the pig shape and make it recognizable.
  • Add a coin slot on top of the body by drawing a thin rectangle, and two small circles for eyes to finish the face.

Draw the coin slot and facial features

On the top of the body circle, draw a thin vertical rectangle — this is the slot where coins go in. Make it narrow enough that a coin would fit through, but not so wide that it looks strange. This detail is what makes it a piggy bank rather than just a pig drawing.

Add two small circles or dots on the head for eyes, positioned on either side of the snout. You can make them straightforward dots or draw small circles with a dot inside for more expression. A straightforward curved line above each eye creates eyebrows and gives the pig personality and character.

Shade and color your piggy bank

Once the outline is complete, you can add shading or color to bring your drawing to life. If you're using pencil, add light shading to one side of the body and head to make it look three-dimensional. Shade the underside of the legs and the shadowed side of the snout slightly darker than the rest.

If you're using markers or colored pencils, pink is the traditional piggy bank color, but you can use any color you like. Add a darker shade on the shaded side to create depth and dimension. A small highlight — a white or light spot — on the body or snout makes it look shiny and finished.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be good at drawing to make a piggy bank look right?

No. The basic shapes — circles, rectangles, and a spiral — are straightforward enough that anyone can draw them. Imperfect circles and wobbly lines actually make the piggy bank look friendlier and more charming than a perfectly geometric one.

What if I want to make my piggy bank look 3D instead of flat?

Draw the body as an oval instead of a circle, tilted slightly. Add shading on one side to show depth, and position the legs so they look like they're supporting weight. You can also draw the snout pointing slightly toward the viewer instead of straight forward.

Can I draw a piggy bank from a different angle?

Yes. Try drawing it from the side so you see one eye and the snout in profile. Or draw it from above, looking down at the coin slot. Each angle changes which details are visible, but the basic shapes stay the same.

Where should I put the coin slot so it looks realistic?

The slot works best on top of the body, running front to back. Some piggy banks have the slot on the side or even on the snout, so there's no single right answer — draw it wherever looks good to you and makes sense for your design.