New to the Pinewood Derby? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. If you’re just joining Scouting or helping your Cub Scout build their very first car, this is the perfect place to begin. The Pinewood Derby is one of Scouting’s most exciting traditions, combining creativity, craftsmanship, and a little friendly competition.

Before race day, you and your Scout will design, shape, sand, paint, and decorate your car using the official Pinewood Derby kit. One of the most important steps is choosing your car’s shape. The shape affects how air flows over the body, how weight is distributed, and how the car performs on the track.

We’ll walk you through a few basic Pinewood Derby car designs—from simple wedge styles to sleek racer bodies—that are easy to sketch, cut, and customize. Each one offers different advantages for speed and stability, and all are great for beginners learning the basics of car design.

So grab your block, sketch out a few ideas, and start building. The race to fun and creativity begins long before the cars hit the track.

Pinewood Derby season is upon us! When I started actually thinking about it, one of the first questions in my mind was, “How do people choose a car shape?” I did a lot of research and realized (after I had decided to make up my shape, which turned out to be the Fish-shape) that there are so many free templates (and paid templates) online! But with so many car designs, how does one decide what car shape to use? To make your Pinewood Derby car-building experience much easier, we've put together a short list of essential car shapes you can customize using decals and paint to make your own!

1. The Wedge
2. The Arrow
3. The Fish
4. The Stockcar
5. The Semi

The wedge is a classic Pinewood Derby car shape—and for good reason. It’s one of the easiest designs to build, making it perfect for first-time Scouts and parents. With just one angled cut, you can turn your standard block into a sleek, aerodynamic racer that performs well on nearly any track.

The wedge design reduces air resistance and provides a smooth path for airflow, helping your car reach top speed. It’s also a great foundation for creativity. You can keep the clean, minimalist look or use the wedge as a base for custom paint, decals, or themed add-ons.

Its simplicity means less room for mistakes and more time to focus on details like weight placement, wheel alignment, and polishing—small touches that make a big difference. The wedge may be simple, but it consistently ranks among the most reliable and race-ready Pinewood Derby car designs.

The Arrow design takes the classic Pinewood Derby wedge and pushes it one step further. With a pointed nose, narrow midsection, and flared back end, this shape looks fast even before it hits the track. Its sharp, aerodynamic profile helps air glide smoothly over the car, giving it a clean, streamlined finish that performs well in races.

Because so much wood is removed during shaping, the Arrow design naturally ends up lighter than most cars. That’s actually an advantage—it gives you more freedom to add weights exactly where they make the biggest difference. Strategic weight placement toward the rear of the car can improve momentum and stability as it rolls down the track.

If you’re wondering how to fine-tune that balance, or how much weight to add for top performance, we’ve covered it in detail in our Pinewood Derby Tips and Tricks blog. Check it out before you start cutting, and you’ll be ready to build a fast, competition-ready Arrow that looks as sharp as it races.

This Pinewood Derby template has become a fan favorite—and it’s easy to see why. It builds on the low-profile front of the wedge design but adds smooth, curved sides that give it a dynamic, fish-like appearance. The shape looks fast, balanced, and aerodynamic, making it both fun to design and competitive on the track.

Many builders take this design a step further by adding a top fin, transforming the car into a shark ready to “swim” past the finish line. The wide back end provides stability, while the curves reduce drag and give plenty of surface area for creative paint and detailing.

The shark shape also doubles as an excellent base for NASCAR-inspired Pinewood Derby cars. With a few simple adjustments—like custom decals, number stickers, and bold racing stripes—you can turn this design into a professional-looking speed machine.

It’s a great option for Scouts who want a mix of performance and personality.

Think classic cop car shape—boxy, bold, and built for fun. The stock car design has been around for decades, and it never goes out of style. With its squared front and steady frame, it’s easy to cut and shape while still offering great performance on the track. This design is perfect for Scouts who love a traditional, old-school racing look.

Painting this one is where the creativity really shines. Go for the classic black-and-white police car, complete with lights and decals. Or lean into nostalgia and paint it in the old-school Dale Earnhardt Wrangler blue-and-yellow with the famous #3. You can even channel the Dukes of Hazzard vibe with bold orange and racing numbers on the sides.

Because of its solid shape, the stock car design also allows for flexible weight placement—ideal for balancing speed and stability. It’s a timeless Pinewood Derby favorite that looks great and races strong year after year.

Science tells us that a lower front and higher back help air flow smoothly over your Pinewood Derby car, improving aerodynamics and speed. But sometimes, style wins the day—and a truck design is worth every bit of that trade-off. With its taller profile and squared edges, the truck shape stands out on the track and gives your Scout’s car a bold, rugged look.

You can even take a creative spin on it. Start with a semi-truck design, then hollow out the back to create a pickup truck version that looks tough and ready for hauling imaginary loads down the Derby lane. It’s an eye-catching choice that leaves plenty of room for customization, from headlights and exhaust pipes to metallic paint or flame decals.

Sure, it might not be the most aerodynamic option, but it’s packed with character—and it’s fun to build. Like Joe Diffie sang, “Pickup Man” fans know there’s just something about a truck that always steals the show.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or putting the final touches on your design, ScoutShop.org has everything you need for a successful Pinewood Derby build. Shop the Official Pinewood Derby Car Kit to get started, or browse paints, peel-n-stick decals, graphite, and glow-in-the-dark wheels to customize your car’s look and performance.

From precision tools to creative add-ons, you’ll find all the official Pinewood Derby accessories in one place—tested, approved, and made for Scouts. Build, design, and race with confidence knowing your car meets official Scouting America standards.

Make your Pinewood Derby experience fun, fast, and stress-free. Find your supplies today at ScoutShop.org—your one-stop shop for all things Pinewood Derby.