# Introduction to tilemaps

> Learn about how to create a tilemap, and the different layouts of tilemaps.


**An example of a 2D farming game that uses rectangular tilemap. The environment is laid out on a rectangular grid.:**
![](/api/media?file=/engine/6000.3/media/images/tilemap_example_rectangular.jpg)

Build the game world and levels of your 2D project by painting tiles onto the scene.

> **Note:**
>
> To use tilemaps, make sure the 2D Tilemap Editor package is installed in your project. For more information, refer to [set up your project for 2D games](/engine/6000.3/manual/unity2d/2d-game-development/setup-project-2d-game.md).

To paint with tiles, follow these steps:

1. [Create a tile palette](/engine/6000.3/manual/unity2d/tilemaps/create-tile-palette/assets.md), which is a collection of tile assets you paint with. Tile assets are rectangular, isometric, or hexagonal sprites.
2. Create a tilemap, which is the area you paint the tiles onto, then paint your tiles. For more information, refer to [Paint tiles into the scene](/engine/6000.3/manual/unity2d/tilemaps/create-tilemap/create-tilemap.md).

## Render Pipeline Compatibility

Tilemaps are supported by all render pipelines that support 2D projects.

## Types of tilemap

Unity supports the tilemaps with the following tile layouts:

* Rectangular. This is the default.
* Hexagonal. This type of tilemap is often used for strategy games. You can align the hexagons so they have a point at the top, or a flat edge at the top.
* Isometric. This type of tilemap uses a 2D grid to create the illusion of 3D height and depth.


**A rectangular tilemap, a flat top hexagonal tilemap, a point top hexagonal tilemap, and an isometric tilemap:**
![](/api/media?file=/engine/6000.3/media/images/tilemap_shapes.png)

## Additional resources

* [Tilemap API documentation](/engine/6000.3/script-reference/unityengine/tilemaps/tilemap.md)
* [2D Tilemap Extras](https://docs.unity3d.com/Packages/com.unity.2d.tilemap.extras@latest)