Anatomy of the Letter S
The letter S is all about curves. Unlike many letters in the alphabet, it doesn’t rely on stems or straight lines. Instead, the entire structure flows through one continuous S-shaped stroke called the spine. That spine twists from top to bottom, creating the distinctive shape and the open spaces inside the letter.
Uppercase LETTER S
The uppercase S is built from one flowing curve that moves from the top right down to the bottom left.
- Spine: The main curved stroke that forms the body of the letter
- Counters (open): The open white spaces created by the upper and lower curves
- Terminal: The endpoints of the stroke at the top and bottom. These may be blunt in sans serif styles, serifed, or shaped into teardrops in more decorative fonts
- Serifs (optional): Small finishing strokes on the stem or at the end of the leg in serif styles.
💡Pro Tip: Because the S is made entirely from curves, it’s one of the trickiest letters to draw well. Smooth transitions and balanced spacing make all the difference between an elegant S and one that feels wobbly.
LowerCase LETTER S
The lowercase s follows the same basic idea but in a more compact form.
- Spine: The continuous curved stroke that shapes the letter
- Counters: The open spaces inside the curves are usually tighter than in the uppercase version
- Terminals: The finishing ends of the stroke. Simple endings are called terminals, while tapered or decorative ones are often called finials.
- Serifs (optional): Small finishing strokes at the base of the stem or the end of the shoulder in serif styles
💡Pro Tip: Draw the letter S with a smaller top loop and a larger, more open bottom loop. If the top and bottom loops are identical, it can look stiff, unnatural, or top-heavy. This is true for upper and lowercase.
HELPFUL LINKS
HELPFUL LINKSWant to learn how to draw each letter in three foundational styles?
Ready to get more playful with your styles? Check out the links below!
- Hand Lettering the Alphabet: A-Z. A free video series covering how to draw every letter in three foundational styles.
- The Anatomy of Letters: An A–Z Guide
- Ready to level up? Check out my 12 Playful Lettering Styles.
Happy drawing!
