3 Ways To Hold A Pen - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Grip a Pen: Tips and Techniques for Improvement PDF download Download Article Find the right grip for you Co-authored by Swetha Shenoy

Last Updated: March 8, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Learning the Tripod Grip
    • |
  • Using the Quadropod Grip
    • |
  • Improving Your Grip
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Expert Interview
    • |
  • Expert Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
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  • Things You'll Need
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This article was co-authored by Swetha Shenoy. Swetha Shenoy is a Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist based in New Jersey. She is the founder of The Paisley Corner, a creative hub that provides art workshops & team-building activities for individuals and corporate teams alike. Swetha created The Paisley Corner to spread the joy of creating through her art workshops. She teaches multiple lettering techniques, including hand lettering, brush lettering, and watercolor lettering. Since founding The Paisley Corner 5 years ago, she has taught 2500+ students (adults and kids) at over 200 workshops. Notable corporate clients include Adobe, Shapeways, Rituals, Confetti, MixLife & the New York tri-state area public libraries. Prior to her career as an artist and small business owner, Swetha worked as a Software Engineer at multiple companies. She received a BS in Computer Science from Visvesvaraya Technological University and a MS in Computer Science from University of Illinois, Chicago. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 412,692 times.

Holding your pen properly is essential for writing and drawing with ease. An important part of this is how you grip the pen, which can be done with 3 or 4 fingers.[1] After you find a grip that feels natural to you, practice writing so that you maintain a comfortable hold while moving the pen efficiently. Even if you already have experience using pens, learning the proper way to hold the pen can improve your writing.

How to Hold a Pen to Write Neatly and Quickly

  • Use your thumb and index finger to lightly grip the pen 1/3 of the way up from the tip.
  • Bend your middle finger towards your thumb and rest the side of the pen on it.
  • Rest your pinky finger and the heel of your hand on the page as you write.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Learning the Tripod Grip

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Hold a Pen 1 Pick up the pen with your thumb and index finger. The tripod grip uses 3 fingers. Your thumb and your index finger are used to hold the pen in place. Let the back end of the pen rest on the ridge of skin between these fingers.[2] [3]
    • Use your free hand as needed to position the pen in your writing hand. This can be helpful when you are first learning the grip.
    • The tripod grip is the ideal grip to learn, and it will allow you to easily use all sorts of pens.
  2. Step 2 Grip the pen lightly about ⅓ of the way from the tip. 2 Grip the pen lightly about ⅓ of the way from the tip. No matter which hand you write with, squeeze the pen between your thumb and index finger. Keep your fingers level but on opposite sides of the pen. Hold the pen with a light but firm grip. If you squeeze too tightly, your fingers may tire out or ache after a while.
    • Adjust your grip on the pen as needed until you feel comfortable. You don’t have to place your fingers exactly ⅓ of the way along the pen’s length.
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  3. Step 3 Rest your middle finger on the pen. 3 Rest your middle finger on the pen. Bring your middle finger down, underneath the pen. Your middle finger is the third finger to grip the pen, except only the upper half of the tip contacts the pen. Position your ring and pinky fingers underneath your middle finger, not touching the pen.[4]
    • Your middle finger should grip the pen more lightly than your thumb and index finger. Use it to hold the pen still.
    • Make sure the back end of the pen rests against the top part of your hand. Hold the pen at an angle rather than vertically.
  4. Step 4 Rest the heel of your hand on the page. 4 Rest the heel of your hand on the page. Move your hand down like you’re going to start writing. Set the back edge, which is the part right above your wrist, on the paper. Let your ring and pinky fingers rest on the page as well. Adjust your hand until you feel comfortable enough to write.[5]
    • The pen should be at an angle, enough so that you can press the tip to the page.
    • Your wrist may rise slightly to allow you to move the pen. Avoid lifting it too much, since that can end up causing cramps due to tension.
    • If your hand comes up off the page, you may be gripping the pen too hard.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Using the Quadropod Grip

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  1. Step 1 Position the pen between your thumb and index finger. 1 Position the pen between your thumb and index finger. The quadropod grip is very similar to the tripod grip. The pen will still rest against your hand, between your thumb and index finger. Start by using your 2 main fingers to hold onto the pen and control it.[6]
    • The quadropod grip is less common than the tripod grip, but if it feels natural to you, you can continue using it.
  2. Step 2 Grip the pen with your middle finger about ⅓ of the way from the tip. 2 Grip the pen with your middle finger about ⅓ of the way from the tip. Squeeze the pen between your thumb and index finger close to the pen’s tip. Bring your middle finger down, planting it squarely on the pen. Like with your index finger and thumb, your middle finger is used to control the pen. Keep a firm, even grip with all 3 fingers.
    • You may need to adjust your grip a little. Move your fingers until you feel comfortable. Make sure all 3 of your fingers maintain a light but firm grip on the pen.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Hold a Pen 3 Rest the pen on your ring finger. Slide your ring finger underneath the pen. Your ring finger should be right below your middle finger. Grip the pen with the top half of your fingertip. Hold the pen lightly with this finger.[7]
    • Your hand may look slightly claw like in this position. Bend your fingers only slightly so you are able to maintain control of the pen.
    • If your fingers are bent uncomfortably, hold the pen closer to the tip.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Hold a Pen 4 Rest the heel of your hand on the page. Tuck your pinky finger underneath your ring finger as you move your hand towards the page. Use the bottom edge of your hand and pinky finger to support your hand as you write. The pen should be at an angle with only the tip touching the page.[8]
    • Loosen your grip if your hand comes up off the page.
    • Avoid holding the pen straight up in the air. Keep it at a gentle angle to avoid wearing out your fingers.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Improving Your Grip

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  1. Step 1 Sit up straight with your feet on the floor. 1 Sit up straight with your feet on the floor. Having good posture is important for both improving your posture and avoiding injuries. Sit in a chair with a firm back rather than a cushy recliner. Plant your feet firmly on the floor. Sit up so you can peer over the paper, but don’t hunch over it. If your posture is bad, you may end up holding your pen improperly, so be sure to practice good posture whenever you can.[9]
    • Feeling comfortable while writing is the most important part. You should also feel like your arms have a free range of movement.
    • If you maintain bad posture, you may begin to notice stiffness in your back. Your arms may also tire out quickly as you write.
  2. Step 2 Loosen your grip to avoid finger pain. 2 Loosen your grip to avoid finger pain. You may be tempted to curl your fingers over the pen, pressing so tightly that your fingers begin cramping. You do not have to press so hard that your knuckles turn white and your pen rips the paper. Position your fingers close to the pen’s tip, holding on firmly but gently.
    • If your hand looks like a claw or a fist, you are likely holding the pen too tightly. Straighten your fingers, letting the pen rest on your hand.
    • To practice your grip, place a small object, such as a tissue, rubber ball, or coin, in your hand. Holding an object in your writing hand ensures your hand stays more open, keeping your grip loose.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Hold a Pen 3 Use your arm and shoulders to move the pen. Most people write with their fingers. They hold their arms completely stiff and use their fingers to control the pen. Instead of doing this, try keeping your fingers still and moving your arms and shoulders. You may find that your grip on the pen relaxes as you practice.[10]
    • Writing this way engages muscles in your forearm, which are larger and less prone to tiring out than your fingers.
    • Using your arms and shoulders can feel awkward at first, especially if you are used to writing with your fingers.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Hold a Pen 4 Practice writing in the air to increase your mobility. No paper needs to be wasted to write invisible words in the air. Hold the pen with your desired grip, then raise your arm straight up in the air. Move your arm like you are writing out sentences. Since you aren’t confined to a desk and paper, you likely will feel free to relax your grip and move about more.
    • This is the perfect way to practice utilizing your arms and shoulders, but it is also helpful for developing your grip.
  5. Step 5 Practice writing sentences on paper. 5 Practice writing sentences on paper. Set a piece of paper on a flat surface, such as your desk. Hold the pen in a way that feels comfortable to you, then start writing. You can write out any words that come to mind. Try to write full paragraphs, working from 1 side of the page to the other.
    • Start out writing slowly. Once you feel comfortable holding and moving your pen, you can begin writing more quickly.
    • Practicing can also help you refine your writing so it is neater. Practice makes perfect!
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Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question How do I improve my pen handwriting skills? Swetha Shenoy Swetha Shenoy Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist Swetha Shenoy is a Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist based in New Jersey. She is the founder of The Paisley Corner, a creative hub that provides art workshops & team-building activities for individuals and corporate teams alike. Swetha created The Paisley Corner to spread the joy of creating through her art workshops. She teaches multiple lettering techniques, including hand lettering, brush lettering, and watercolor lettering. Since founding The Paisley Corner 5 years ago, she has taught 2500+ students (adults and kids) at over 200 workshops. Notable corporate clients include Adobe, Shapeways, Rituals, Confetti, MixLife & the New York tri-state area public libraries. Prior to her career as an artist and small business owner, Swetha worked as a Software Engineer at multiple companies. She received a BS in Computer Science from Visvesvaraya Technological University and a MS in Computer Science from University of Illinois, Chicago. Swetha Shenoy Swetha Shenoy Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist Expert Answer You can apply some principles of calligraphy to improve your handwriting style. Write slowly and focus on forming each letter carefully, treating it like an activity rather than a hurried task. If you see a handwriting style that you like, find worksheets and trace the letters repeatedly to build muscle memory. Remember to practice consistently, so dedicate about 10 minutes every day to practice your handwriting. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 12
  • Question The chairs in my school are not very ergonomic. We have to bend a lot and my legs are too long and I've to fold em. What should I do? should I learn writing with 2 hands to minimise pain, is that okay? Community Answer Community Answer Wiggle your fingers from time to time. Stretch your arms after writing for an hour. Stretch your legs when you can at school. During breaks, try walking a bit. At home, massage your legs and hands for good health. Use a pen with a rubber grip. Hold it gently and don't press a lot to avoid straining your arm. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 12 Helpful 38
  • Question Do left handers have slow handwriting? Community Answer Community Answer Not necessarily. The left hand is their dominant hand, it doesn't mean they write any slower or faster than a right handed person; both possibilities exist for both hand dominance. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 14 Helpful 49
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Video

Tips

  • Keep a balanced grip on the pen. If you feel tension in your fingers, something is wrong. Adjust your grip to avoid pain. Thanks Helpful 12 Not Helpful 3
  • You may find a different way to hold the pen. As long as your grip style feels comfortable to you, using it is fine. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 3
  • Ballpoint pens are more difficult to use than fountain pens. You often need to hold a ballpoint pen more tightly and vertically while pressing down harder on the page. Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 4
Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • Practice your handwriting with gel pens for smoother lines.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Things You’ll Need

  • Pen
  • Paper
  • Desk or table

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about calligraphy, check out our in-depth interview with Swetha Shenoy.

References

  1. ↑ Swetha Shenoy. Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ Swetha Shenoy. Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/kids/resources/ot-activityinformation-sheets/holding-a-pencil/
  4. ↑ https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/kids/resources/ot-activityinformation-sheets/holding-a-pencil/
  5. ↑ https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/kids/resources/ot-activityinformation-sheets/holding-a-pencil/
  6. ↑ https://www.sensationalkids.ie/practical-ways-to-help-improve-my-childs-pencil-grasp/
  7. ↑ https://nesca-newton.com/whats-the-big-deal-about-a-pencil-grip/
  8. ↑ https://nesca-newton.com/whats-the-big-deal-about-a-pencil-grip/
  9. ↑ https://occupationaltherapy.com.au/the-importance-of-good-sitting-posture-for-handwriting/
More References (1)
  1. ↑ https://occupationaltherapy.com.au/the-importance-of-good-sitting-posture-for-handwriting/

About This Article

Swetha Shenoy Co-authored by: Swetha Shenoy Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist This article was co-authored by Swetha Shenoy. Swetha Shenoy is a Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist based in New Jersey. She is the founder of The Paisley Corner, a creative hub that provides art workshops & team-building activities for individuals and corporate teams alike. Swetha created The Paisley Corner to spread the joy of creating through her art workshops. She teaches multiple lettering techniques, including hand lettering, brush lettering, and watercolor lettering. Since founding The Paisley Corner 5 years ago, she has taught 2500+ students (adults and kids) at over 200 workshops. Notable corporate clients include Adobe, Shapeways, Rituals, Confetti, MixLife & the New York tri-state area public libraries. Prior to her career as an artist and small business owner, Swetha worked as a Software Engineer at multiple companies. She received a BS in Computer Science from Visvesvaraya Technological University and a MS in Computer Science from University of Illinois, Chicago. This article has been viewed 412,692 times. 16 votes - 78% Co-authors: 17 Updated: March 8, 2025 Views: 412,692 Categories: Stationery Article SummaryX

To hold a pen, position your fingers close to the pen's tip and maintain a loose grip, which will help prevent finger pain. Also, as you're writing with the pen, try to use your arm and shoulders to move it across the page instead of your fingers, which will keep your fingers from tiring out. To get used to holding a pen, practice writing sentences out on a piece of paper, writing slowly at first and then gradually increasing your speed. To learn how to hold a pen using the tripod and quadropod grips, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Stacey

    Stacey

    Sep 11, 2021

    "First I was writing holding near to the tip of the pen. By the time I felt uncomfortable, but with the help of this..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Swetha Shenoy Co-authored by: Swetha Shenoy Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist 16 votes - 78% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 17 Updated: March 8, 2025 Views: 412,692 Stacey

Stacey

Sep 11, 2021

"First I was writing holding near to the tip of the pen. By the time I felt uncomfortable, but with the help of this..." more Daniel Ngenegbo

Daniel Ngenegbo

Feb 14, 2020

"I used to be quite a bad and messy writer, but ever since I've used the methods here, I have steadily been..." more Anonymous

Anonymous

Oct 20, 2019

"Now that I know the right way to hold a pen, I feel more confident and my handwriting is a lot better now. Thank..." more Veronica Mills

Veronica Mills

Apr 4, 2019

"Helped me reduce hand cramping and finish my midterm without feeling like my hand was going to fall off afterwards!" James Smith

James Smith

Apr 12, 2019

"I didn't know that I was holding pens improperly until I saw this article. Thanks!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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Tag » How To Hold A Pen