# How do you write a letter O? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 28, 2023, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940 "2023-01-28T13:29:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/41 "2023-01-29T01:35:49Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > And since someone mentioned number 8’s… I draw them starting at the very top drawing the left half, when I get to the bottom, I continue around and draw the right half going up. Lower circle is larger than the upper. This is not very clear. It sounds like you’re saying you first draw the left half of both the top and bottom loop (like a rounded capital E) from top to bottom, and then secondly draw the right half of both the top and bottom loop (like a number 3) from bottom to top, but surely that’s not what you really mean? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/42 "2023-01-29T01:38:04Z")
I’m not sure there’s any other way to read that. That’s what I understood. Sounds like one sensible way to do it. ---
**Author:** ![cincinnatus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cincinnatus/32/7990_2.png) [@cincinnatus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cincinnatus)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/43 "2023-01-29T01:53:23Z")
Boy, all you people. Counter-clockwise? How about if you’re Australian? ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/44 "2023-01-29T02:16:03Z")
Yeah, that’s how I do it. I changed to that way three years ago when I started my current job, which entails writing 9-digit client numbers and 10-digit authorization numbers all day long. I found my previous method of a “figure eight” pattern, crossing over in the middle, wasn’t giving me a consistent shape. I also changed my 9’s to drawing the top circle first, then a slightly curved stem from the bottom up. Yes, I know it’s weird. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/45 "2023-01-29T02:23:26Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > > [@BigT](#): > > > > Edit: and for an 8, I draw an S and then connect the end back to the start. ⁢ > > Yeah, same here on the 8. I looked at my kid’s notes – because apparently are doing a quick introduction to cursive (3rd grade) – and her “O” is the same as I was taught – I’m not sure what specific method is being used. Googling “cursive o worksheet” I only see the counterclockwise method from a cursory perusal. Was this how you were taught, or your own personal style? My own cursive is a lot different than what I was taught, so I totally get doing it the way that feels most comfortable and sensible to you. ⁢ I mean, I can’t know for sure, but I went to a Montessori school where the teachers demonstrated and watched you individually as you initially learned to write. If I had drawn the O incorrectly, I’m pretty sure I would have been corrected. They were very exacting on learning it the right way. There are some letters I intentionally changed from how I was taught, but they were all capitals (e.g. F, T, W, Q and L). I don’t remember ever changing a lowercase letter. I have no memory at all of ever reversing direction at the top of the o as shown in your example. ---
**Author:** ![SeaSun](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seasun/32/14820_2.png) [@SeaSun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaSun)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/46 "2023-01-29T04:07:52Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > he wrote all the 8s as two Os stacked I do it that way too…I like how they look better that way. And yes, it can be tedious if you’re writing a lot of 8’s. 😆 > [@Shoeless](#): > > also put a dash through the middle of my Z’s to avoid confusing them with 2’s. I think for a while I also did the dash through my 7’s but stopped doing that at some point. Same. Dash on my Z’s, even though they look different than my 2’s. Used to do dash on 7’s too, but dropped doing it at some point…will do now and again though, if I’m feelin’ fancy. And as for the O…counterclockwise. I was wondering if right-handed or left-handed made a difference on the O…I’m right handed. Edit to add: I see some lefties here say counter, so I guess it doesn’t matter. 4’s open or closed…depends on what my hand feels like doing. Mostly open though I think. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/47 "2023-01-29T04:39:32Z")
> [@cincinnatus](#): > > Boy, all you people. Counter-clockwise? > > How about if you’re Australian? Counterclockwise starting at around eleven o’clock with a little curl outside where I started from the look of it. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/48 "2023-01-29T05:07:45Z")
I was taught that way, too. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/49 "2023-01-29T05:09:06Z")
Counter-clockwise, starting at 12 o’clock. Likely the way I was taught in writing classes in grade school. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/50 "2023-01-29T05:20:39Z")
Actually, on further experimentation, mine does start about 12 if I write it on its own. A little left of that if it has a preceding letter. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/51 "2023-01-29T10:27:01Z")
Mine are counterclockwise from about 11. But Os can present all sorts of difficulties - from about 2:15 into this: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/pV1IP4N9ajg/hqdefault.jpg "Classic Two Ronnies Fork Handles Sketch") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV1IP4N9ajg) ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Blaylock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_blaylock/32/3235_2.png) [@Bob\_Blaylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Blaylock)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2023, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/52 "2023-01-30T00:47:35Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > Around the time I was taking programming classes, I developed the habit of putting a slash through 0s to disambiguate from Os.   I’ve had the same habit, going back long before I met you.   I do a zero in one movement, starting at the lower left, make a clockwise circle, then, without lifting the pen, I do a stroke up and right to put the slash across it.   In many contexts, I also put serifs on ones and uppercase Is, to make them distinct.  Also on lowercase Ls, on those rare occasions that I deign to write lowercase letters.   And to answer what you asked me last night, I just now noted that when I write an O, I go clockwise. ---
**Author:** ![Nyvaak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nyvaak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nyvaak)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2023, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/53 "2023-01-30T01:06:38Z")
Counterclockwise, starting at the top, in the middle. But understand that I apparently write weird. Students in classes where I write on the board are always commenting on where I start letters or (mostly) numbers and the direction in which I go. ---
**Author:** ![Ynnad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4491bb/32.png) [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2023, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/54 "2023-01-30T01:26:51Z")
I have absolutely no idea whatsoever. If I try to write one right now while I am thinking about I don’t think the observation would be reliable answer. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2023, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/55 "2023-01-30T01:57:27Z")
> [@Ynnad](#): > > I have absolutely no idea whatsoever. If I try to write one right now while I am thinking about I don’t think the observation would be reliable answer. ⁢ The trick I use in such situations is just to start writing some sentences, and then notice how I wrote something. That’s how I figured out that I write o’s differently in cursive. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/56 "2023-02-02T21:14:17Z")
O – counterclockwise 4 – closed 7 – generally without the crossing line, but once in a while with it if clarity is an issue 8 – start at top right corner, go left, then down left to right, then back up right to left ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2023, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/57 "2023-02-03T18:48:06Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > I was about to answer “clockwise”, because that’s how it seemed in my mind’s eye, then I wrote a little, and found I actually draw counterclockwise also. Glad you said this, because same. ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2023, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/58 "2023-02-03T18:57:01Z")
O - anticlockwise S - start from the bottom and go up - the opposite of what they wanted us to do at school. 8 - start at the bottom 9 o’clock, go down, round and up. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/59 "2023-02-06T05:08:49Z")
This is interesting. I’m left-handed and expected to be an outlier due to that, but like nearly everyone else I do write Os counter-clockwise. But I **am** probably in the minority of writing Vs from right to left… ---
**Author:** ![Hatchie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hatchie/32/3983_2.png) [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2023, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940/60 "2023-02-07T00:12:11Z")
Lefthanded, counterclockwise. My quirk is putting hats on the small “a”. I started doing this deliberately when I was 20. Now it’s automatic. I wanted to improve my penmanship, and it didn’t work but my "a"s do have hats. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-write-a-letter-o/978940.md?page=4)