Why Hex Maps Are the Best for Tabletop RPGs

Maps in tabletop RPGs are much more than a visual guide, it is an essential game element. It introduces the path of discovery, sets the tone for exploration, helps players understand their surroundings, and gives game-masters the structure they need to run the world smoothly.

For many game masters, hex maps stand out as a smart choice, especially when it comes to open world travel and exploration-heavy campaigns. 

Here’s why hex maps might just be the best tool in your GM toolkit.

1. Hex Maps Offer Smoother, More Natural Movement

One of the common issues with square grids is diagonal movement. It doesn’t follow the same rules as moving up, down, or sideways, which can be confusing and often leads to awkward rules or arguments at the table. Hex maps fix this by design. Since each hex has six equal sides, every movement  covers the same distance. 

This makes overland travel much easier to manage and more realistic. Players can focus on exploring the world instead of stopping to figure out how far they’ve actually moved. 

2. Perfect for Exploration-Driven Campaigns

Hex maps are perfect for campaigns where exploration is the focus. In this style of play often called a “hex crawl”. Each hex represents a small, manageable section of the world, usually a few miles across. Players decide which direction to go, and each hex holds the potential for something new: ancient ruins, hidden NPCs, sudden ambushes, or long-lost secrets. 

This approach encourages players to take the lead, explore at their own pace, and uncover the world piece by piece. It naturally supports player choice, strategic thinking, and storytelling that unfolds in real time. Instead of guiding players down a fixed path, hex maps let them choose where to go and how to get there, giving them the freedom to shape their own adventure.

3. Better Terrain and Distance Realism

One of the great things about hex maps is how easily you can make terrain matter. Each hex can represent a different type of land — like forests, mountains, or deserts and you can decide how easy or hard it is to travel through each one.

For example, maybe your players can move quickly across grasslands, but they have to slow down when crossing dense forests. Climbing through mountains might take a whole day, while swamps could be slower and come with extra dangers like random encounters or getting lost.

This adds depth to the game, making the map more than just a visual tool. Travel becomes a real part of the adventure, where players have to think about the route they take, how long it will take, and what risks they might face along the way. It brings your world to life in a way that feels natural and grounded.

4. Easier and Smarter Worldbuilding

For game-masters, hex maps make worldbuilding a lot more manageable. You don’t have to create an entire world all at once. You can start small and build out as the players explore. Focus on just the area around them, and add new hexes when they decide to go somewhere new. 

This flexible, piece-by-piece approach makes it easy to plan ahead, improvise on the fly, or adjust things as the story unfolds. Want to randomly decide what’s in a hex? You can. Need to hide a dungeon, place an ancient ruin, or add a rare resource? That’s not a problem because Hex maps make worldbuilding feel less overwhelming and way more creative.

But Wait, What About Square Grids?

There’s a reason square grids are so common: they’re ideal for combat maps, dungeons, and structured environments like towns or interiors. They make it easy to count tiles, draw straight walls, and position creatures precisely during tactical encounters.

So while hex maps might be the best for exploration, square grids are still essential for combat-heavy scenes.

Everyone has their own preference, some GMs love the freedom of hex maps, while others prefer the precision of squares. I suggest, Use both and try it yourself.

The Best of Both Worlds

With Master of Realms you can create high quality maps specifically for tabletop RPGs, it makes map creation fast, easy, and fun.

It supports both hex and square grid maps, so you don’t have to choose one over the other. Try each style for yourself, switch between them as needed, and decide what fits your campaign best. (Note: Square grid is currently a work in progress)

With Master of Realms, you can:

✅ Decide your grid size.

✅ Switch between Hex and Square grid anytime.

✅ Change colour of your grid according you prefrence.

✅ Adjust transparency of grid.

✅ Make grid On/Off anytime.

If you’re a worldbuilder, Master of Realms gives you the flexibility to experiment, adapt, and bring your campaign to life without needing to be an artist.

Head over to Master of Realms, build a map in both hex and square formats, and see for yourself which one feels better for your world.

Drop a comment and let us know..

Are you Team Hex or Team Square?