Why use hexagonal grids? 7 use cases and benefits
Blog post from Felt
Hexagonal grids have gained popularity over square grids for displaying distance, movement, and relationships on maps due to their balanced and isotropic structure. Unlike square grids, which connect to four neighbors and can introduce directional bias, hexagonal grids connect to six evenly spaced neighbors, providing a more uniform and unbiased spatial framework. This makes them ideal for geographic information system (GIS) applications, urban planning, transportation, telecommunications, site selection, spatial analysis, and even gaming, where they offer advantages such as tessellation, reduced bias, and efficient space coverage. Tools like Felt facilitate the creation and visualization of hexagonal grids by offering intuitive interfaces and features like H3 spatial indexing, automatic binning, and dynamic zoom, enhancing the ability to uncover insights and streamline data analysis. Hexagonal grids' ability to provide a more natural representation of geographic features and movement patterns makes them a versatile choice for various applications, allowing for more accurate and comprehensive spatial analysis.