JEEVisionary rocket logoJEEVisionaryIIT Mission Control
Join
3D lab · 3D geometry

Skew Lines and Shortest Distance in 3D

Steer a second line in 3D and see when two lines are skew, parallel or intersecting, with the shortest distance and the common perpendicular.

Last updated: 26 October 2026

Direct answer

Steer a second line in 3D and see when two lines are skew, parallel or intersecting, with the shortest distance and the common perpendicular.

Two lines in space can meet, be parallel, or be skew (neither). The pink segment is the common perpendicular: the shortest path between them.

Simulation

Try it

Skew Lines and Shortest Distance in 3D

3D geometry

Drag to rotate, two fingers or right-drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom. The toolbar has views, cutaway, measure and “show the maths”.

What's happening? Two lines in space can meet, be parallel, or be skew (neither). The pink segment is the common perpendicular: the shortest path between them.
Learn more

Study this lab with

Study

Watch and try

Terms used on this page

Skew lines

Full lab glossary →

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What is the shortest distance between two skew lines?

d = |(a₂ − a₁)·(b₁ × b₂)| / |b₁ × b₂|.

How do you check if two lines intersect?

They are not parallel and the shortest distance is zero.

<link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/concepts-lab.min.css?v=20261027b">
WA✎
Sitemap