Why plot primes on a spiral?
A golden-angle spiral spreads the numbers evenly so patterns in where primes fall - bands and gaps - stand out far better than a straight line.
// maths › Sequences & Patterns
Prime Spiral
Prime numbers lifted onto a golden-angle spiral so the gaps and clusters become visible in 3D.
primes on a golden-angle spiral
Drag to rotate · scroll to zoom · right-drag to pan
Frequently asked questions
What is a prime number?
A whole number greater than 1 whose only factors are 1 and itself, like 2, 3, 5, 7, 11. Every other whole number is built by multiplying primes.
Where are primes used in real life?
They are the backbone of online security: RSA encryption relies on multiplying two large primes, which is easy, while factoring the result is practically impossible.
Is there a largest prime?
No - Euclid proved over 2000 years ago that primes never run out. The largest one found so far has tens of millions of digits.
Why do primes look random but aren't?
Their exact positions are unpredictable, yet they thin out in a smooth, well-understood way described by the prime number theorem.