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S in Old English Letters

By Maya Chen, lettering designer and type educator · Checked by Jordan Hale · · How we review content

Capital S
Lowercase s

Rendered in the UnifrakturMaguntia typeface, an open-source font. It is a reference shape, not a hand-drawn letter.

S is a letter with two lowercase forms. The round s is used at the end of a word, while the long s, written ſ and similar to an f without a full bar, is used at the beginning and the middle in traditional German Fraktur. The capital S is among the harder capitals, with a double curve that can look like an ornamental ribbon.

Outline version to colour or trace

Open in the Old English text generator →

How to draw a Old English capital S

  1. 1Draw the upper curve of the capital as a thin arc at about 45 degrees, starting at the top right and moving left.
  2. 2Pull a thick diagonal spine through the middle, slanting from upper left to lower right with the pen's full edge.
  3. 3Draw the lower curve as another thin arc that returns to the left, ending in a diamond foot.
  4. 4Add a flourish at the top terminal and check that the spine is clearly the heaviest part of the letter.

Tip: Make the spine steeper than you think. A flat spine gives the capital S a slumped look, while a steeper one makes it appear to stand on the line.

How to draw a Old English lowercase s

  1. 1For the round s, draw a small upper curve with a thin hairline start and a short angled facet.
  2. 2Add a short, angled spine to the lower right with a flat edge, making the shape resemble a small 8-like form.
  3. 3Close the lower curve and finish with a small diamond foot, keeping the letter narrower than the o.
  4. 4For the long s, draw a tall stem with a hook at the top and no crossbar, and use it in the middle or start of a word.

Tip: Compare the long s with f. The f has a crossbar through the stem, and the ſ does not, or has only a small nib on the left. Check this in a word like less.

What makes S awkward or easy

The S is awkward because its form is a reversing curve, which does not match the straight stems around it, and the capital's ornate shape can be misread as other letters. The long ſ is a trap in its own right, since modern readers mistake it for f.

Variations

German Fraktur traditionally uses the long ſ at the start and middle of words and the round s at the end, with specific rules for compounds. Textura used both forms as well, though practice varied. If you are lettering a name for a tattoo, use the round s only, as modern readers expect it.

Common mistakes with Old English S

  • The long s is used in a modern word and is read as f.

    Use the round s unless you are deliberately reproducing historical orthography.

  • The capital S spine is thin and the shape looks weak.

    Pull the spine with the full width of the nib so it dominates the letter.

  • The round s is as wide as the o next to it.

    Narrow the shape, so it sits comfortably between the surrounding letters.

Ideas for Old English S

S is an obvious initial for names like Sofia, Samuel or Selma, and for mastheads such as The Sentinel. A capital S in blackletter is popular on band logos and sports caps, and the round lowercase s can help balance a word in a tattoo.

Printable Old English S sheet

Trace the outlines, then fill the empty rows with your own letters.

Old English letter S s Name: ____________________ · coolletteringgenerator.com

Old English S you can copy and paste

Both the capital S and the lowercase s have normal mathematical Fraktur forms. The long ſ is a separate character, U+017F, outside the Fraktur block. Fraktur: 𝔖 (U+1D516) and 𝔰 (U+1D530). Bold Fraktur: 𝕾 (U+1D57E) and 𝖘 (U+1D598).

Old English S: questions

What is the long s in blackletter?
It is a lowercase s written as ſ, which resembles an f without a full crossbar. In traditional German Fraktur it is used at the start and in the middle of words, and the round s appears at the end. Modern lettering often avoids it.
Should I use the long s on a tattoo?
Usually not. Most readers will take ſ for an f and see a spelling mistake. The round s is safer. If you want the historical form, ask your artist to help check how a reader would interpret the word. A tattoo artist who knows blackletter will usually suggest the round form for exactly this reason.
Why is the capital S hard to read?
It is drawn with a double curve and a diagonal spine, plus ornaments that can hide the structure. Keep the spine clear and the curves open, and avoid adding too many flourishes. Check at small size. A single swelling and a clean hairline at each end are enough ornament.

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