3 Ways to Create a Perfect Circle Without Tracing - wikiHow (2024)

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Compass Pencil Tip Square Community Q&A Video Tips Things You'll Need You Might Also Like About This Article Reader Success Stories Did this article help you? FAQs
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  • Drawing Shapes

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methods

1Compass

2Pencil Tip

3Square

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Reviewed byJeanine Hattas Wilson

Last Updated: January 10, 2022

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Need to draw a perfect circle, but don't have anything to trace? You can create a circle with a compass or even just with a pencil and eraser.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Compass

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  1. 1

    Find a drafting compass. You can buy one at office supply or drafting supply stores.

  2. 2

    Put your pencil in the open leg of the compass.

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  3. 3

    Adjust the compass for the radius of your circle. For a bigger circle, spread the compass wider.

  4. 4

    Set the stationary leg of the compass where you want the middle of the circle.

  5. 5

    Keep the stationary leg stable as you move the pencil leg around in a circle.

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  1. 1

    Choose a well-sharpened pencil.

  2. 2

    Choose a piece of paper. Place the paper on a flat, clean surface. The easier the surface is to move the paper on, the better, such as a well-polished table. Also, be sure to have plenty of space to be able to move the paper on the work surface.

  3. 3

    Place the pencil on the paper. Press down on the point where the exposed wood on the pencil meets the painted part.

  4. 4

    Have the tip of the pencil touch the paper, so that the eraser end is sticking up.

  5. 5

    Rotate the paper. While your index finger is holding the edge of the pencil described in Step 3, rotate the paper beneath the pencil with your free hand.

  6. 6

    Continue the rotation until a full circle is formed.

  7. 7

    Congratulations! You have now completed your circle.

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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Square

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  1. 1

    Draw a square.

  2. 2

    Divide the square equally into 4 smaller squares using a pencil and ruler.

  3. 3

    Draw round lines in one smaller square. Start from one end of a bisecting line and take the half circle shape up to the next bisecting line, with the rounded edge sitting against the edge of the large outer square.

  4. 4

    Repeat for each small square until one large circle has been created inside the large square.

  5. 5

    Erase the square lines. Leave behind the circle.

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Community Q&A

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  • Question

    How can I draw a small circle?

    3 Ways to Create a Perfect Circle Without Tracing - wikiHow (23)

    CyanCoding

    Community Answer

    You can create a small circle with a compass by shortening the length between the point and the pencil. If you would like to draw the circle alone on paper, move the paper less when turning it. Similarly, with the square, you can make a smaller square to make a smaller circle.

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    Not Helpful 7Helpful 17

  • Question

    What if the paper moves the wrong way when I'm rotating it?

    3 Ways to Create a Perfect Circle Without Tracing - wikiHow (24)

    Community Answer

    Don't worry, mistakes help you improve! Just start over or erase your mistake.

    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

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 26Helpful 38

  • Question

    I tried it and my pencil wouldn't move, why didn't it work?

    3 Ways to Create a Perfect Circle Without Tracing - wikiHow (25)

    Community Answer

    You may be pushing down too hard. Make sure your pencil is fairly sharp too.

    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

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    Not Helpful 6Helpful 9

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      Video

      Tips

      • Keep your hand steady!

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        Helpful17Not Helpful8

      • For a perfect circle, use a compass.

        Thanks

        Helpful26Not Helpful27

      • Don't be disappointed if you end up with a slight spiral design, you just need to press down on the pencil harder.

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      Things You'll Need

      • Paper
      • Pencil
      • Clean and flat work surface
      • Drafting compass (optional)

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      About This Article

      3 Ways to Create a Perfect Circle Without Tracing - wikiHow (38)

      Reviewed by:

      Jeanine Hattas Wilson

      Professional Painter

      This article was reviewed by Jeanine Hattas Wilson. Jeanine Hattas Wilson is a Professional Painter and the President of Hattas Public Murals, Inc. With nearly 20 years of experience, Jeanine specializes in creating, overseeing, designing, and painting murals. Jeanine holds a BA in Advertising from Marquette University and a Studio Painting Minor from The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. She has studied at The Atelier Artien in Paris, France, Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, and under renowned artists such as Robert Liberace, Michael Siegel, and William Cochran. To date, Hattas Public Murals has painted nearly 5,000 commissioned works of art in homes and commercial and public spaces. This article has been viewed 138,871 times.

      209 votes - 61%

      Co-authors: 25

      Updated: January 10, 2022

      Views:138,871

      Categories: Drawing Shapes

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      Reader Success Stories

      • 3 Ways to Create a Perfect Circle Without Tracing - wikiHow (39)

        Anonymous

        Mar 1, 2017

        "It helped me, and now I can finish my project."

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      3 Ways to Create a Perfect Circle Without Tracing - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      How to make a perfect circle without tools? ›

      Trace a circular object, such as a cup, candle, or roll of tape. Or, tie one end of a string around your pencil and hold the other end down on the paper with your finger. Pull the string taut and move the pencil around your finger to draw a circle.

      Read More ›
      Could you still construct perfect circle without a tool why? ›

      Drawing a perfect circle without a compass can be challenging but not impossible. One method is to use a technique called "trisecting the angle" using only a straight edge and a pencil. By carefully marking equidistant points around a center point, you can gradually sketch out a circle.

      Get More Info Here ›
      What tool can make a perfect circle? ›

      A compass is the oldest tool used for drawing circles. This tool has a long history dating back to ancient times. I still have one I use for creating circles on my art projects. The compass can be adjusted to make larger or smaller circles.

      See More ›
      How to make a circle with string? ›

      This could mean pressing a pen point down into paper or tying a string around a nail. Then tie a pencil, pen, crayon, or any other writing utensil at the other end of the string. The length of string will be the radius of the circle. Then, while pulling the pencil tight on the string, draw a circle.

      Get More Info Here ›
      What is the perfect circle technique? ›

      A perfect circle x-ray is obtained with the scalpel in the center of the locking hole, the laser is then moved to the tip of the scalpel. This will place the locking hole in the absolute center of the viewing monitor. We then use a scalpel and make a skin incision over the laser point on the skin.

      Continue Reading ›
      What is the shortcut for perfect circle? ›

      Hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard to draw a perfect circle.

      Tell Me More ›
      What math tool makes a perfect circle? ›

      The instrument to draw a circle is called a compass.

      Keep Reading ›
      Is it possible to make a completely perfect circle? ›

      Just as one can never construct a perfect square or circle, it is impossible to perfectly recreate the golden ratio. Numerical or geometric perfection can only be found in theory. Although the natural world is based on theoretical perfection it will never be a perfect representation of phi.

      Tell Me More ›
      How do you make a circle without scissors? ›

      You can use a hole punch and a pencil. Simply punch a hole in the paper and stick a pencil in it. Then, take a piece of paper and draw a circle. Take your pencil out of the hole and you have made a circle.

      Tell Me More ›
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