Study of Handwriting: What the Size of the Handwriting reveals

Self-esteem isn’t something that we are born with. As we become aware of the environment, we build an idea of ​​”how we should be” (pretty or ugly, good or bad, smart or stupid, among other qualities).

If we are not born with self-esteem, it must be built through experience from an early age. Self-esteem is defined as the way of appreciating oneself, the importance and the confidence that we give ourselves. The fact of feeling satisfied with ourselves or with a result obtained.

Does the size of your handwriting reveal your self-esteem?

There are people who have a high “self-esteem” and people have a pretty low one. Excessive self-esteem may involve risk-taking because these individuals may feel invincible. Low self-esteem provokes difficulties in social and affective interactions due to a lack of trust or confidence.

Graphology and the Size of Handwriting

The study of handwriting is called graphology. It’s a technique that reveals the personality traits of the writer. The term “dimension” is used to describe graphical aspect that analyze the size of writing. We shall dedicate this article to the meaning of the size of writing.

Size of Letters: Psychological Meaning

Through the detailed study of the size or dimension of letters, we determine the self-esteem of the individual, the way they face life and the energy dedicated to the projects they start.

Size reflects the degree of introversion and extroversion. Whether the individual is inhibited or succumbed upon impulses, whether they express desires and needs freely or draw back their tendencies.

The dimension of the letters includes measures of height and width of both capital and lowercase letters. Also, through the study of dimension we can analyze the existing relationship between capital letters and lowercase, the length of upper extensions and lower extensions, and the proportion of all the strokes. The inferiority complex, for example, is discovered when compensating in the size of Capital Letters.

So, what does the size of letters mean?

Generally, those who use graphology for personnel selection take advantage of the writing size to find out types of intelligence. Whether an individual has skills for synthesis or analysis, whether they tend to generalize or pay attention to detail, among others.

When written letters are too big we are before an individual that has problems with concentrating in details and who overvalues their abilities.

Small writing indicates great skills for details, but lack of panoramic vision for situations. The size of the letters also contributes information in the emotional balance of the individual.

How are the letters measured?

It is important to measure all the elements of a piece of writing: Capital letters, middle area, upper extensions and lower extensions.

• Middle area (ovals): There are two ways of measuring dimension in writing. We can measure one at a time in millimeters, following the inclination of each letter, or the other way is to draw two lines. An inferior one, where most of the letters rest, and a superior one. Upon measuring the distance between the two lines, this will provide an approximate measure of the size of writing. This latter method is less precise, but faster.
• Upper extensions: Upper extensions are the superior parts of letters b, d, f, h, j, l, ll, and t. They are measured the same way as ovals, according to the inclination of the letter, following the central edge.
• Lower extensions: They are the inferior parts of the letters that go from the middle area towards the bottom in letters f, g, j, p, q, y, z, they are measured following the same instructions than the previous ones.
• Capital letters: Capital letters are fully measured, from the upper stroke to the lowest one.
• Measuring width: We consider the ovals in the letters that have them (in the case of letter “m” we consider two ovals).

How many letters should we measure?

According to the extension of the obtained sample and the degree of precision of the report to be delivered we shall measure between 10 and 30 letters, procuring that the selection is as random as possible.
In a balanced and healthy personality, it is expected that the writing has a moderate height and extension, according to the following measures:

• Height of the body of lowercase letters (we consider a, e, i, o) is between 2.5 and 3.5 millimeters.
• Upper extensions and lower extensions: Between 9 and 11 millimeters.
• Width: We consider 80% of the height of a given writing.
• Capital letters: Height between 9 and 11 millimeters and a width of 80%.

What does a very large handwriting mean?

Very large writing

When letters are over 4.5 millimeters, we are before a very large writing. This kind of person over-values themselves, may compensate inferiority complexes by showing the opposite. We find tendencies of vanity, pride and excessive self-esteem that may become megalomania. This is an individual with a great global vision, expansive, who has difficulties interiorizing experiences and concentrating in specific details.

Read also: Dotting your “i’s” meaning

What does a large handwriting mean?

When the middle area of the writing is over 3 millimeters, we say it is large. This points to personalities with great skills for communication, extroversion, physical dynamism, vitality sociability and generosity.

They are expressive individuals who look forward to connecting with others, optimistic, and they are not characterized for being too reflexive (first they act, then they think), self-confident, who trust their own value. We find an ability for commanding and they are suitable for management positions. They have excellent panoramic vision of situations and an elevated self-concept.

On the negative side, large writing means that we are before an arrogant person, conceited, haughty, who needs to exhibit compliments and recognitions, tyrant tendencies, exhibitionist and phony personality that may become megalomaniac with lack of a critical sense.

The insecurity and inferiority complex and lack of self-esteem may be compensated with a large writing. When the signature is larger than the text, this reflects pride, consciousness of self-value and on the negative side it shows the individual has more ambitions than real possibilities.

What does a medium handwriting mean?

Handwriting is intermediate or medium when it is between 2.5 and 3.5 millimeters in size. It adjusts to the mold. Those who write in this size are individuals with a great emotional balance, who see themselves the way they are.

Their self-concept is intermediate, are able to perceive details and also “the big picture”. They are spontaneous, sociable, of intermediate aspirations, balanced in intro and extroversion. They adjust to the environment, they can develop in management positions as well as in subordinate ones. They analyze situations before they act.

What does very small handwriting indicate?

Small Handwriting: A Sign of Intelligence?

When the average body of writing is between 1.5 and 2.5 millimeters, it is considered small writing. This kind of writing reveals introverted individuals, withdrawn, not spontaneous, routine-like, who enjoy home life and withdraw themselves towards their interior.

They are observant, with a great capacity for concentration, synthesis and critic. They are quiet and wish to be unnoticed, detailed, meticulous, simple and docile. At work, they allow to be conducted and have a tendency for specialization. Individuals who may not be very selfless, saving, lacking generosity, with a sense for economy and practical utility.

On the negative side, they may manifest shyness, doubts, fears, pessimism, discouragement, lack of trust that translates into difficulty to understand and assimilate greater purposes. People who are so into details and meticulous are impressed by meaningless things that do not matter. We need to rule out that the diminishing of writing is not due to accidents like fatigue, cold, short-sightedness and lack of paper.

Micrographic Writing

When the writing is smaller than 1.5 – 1 millimeters, it is called micrographic writing. So what does a small handwriting mean?

Micrographia is a very small handwriting, which is reflecting great predisposition for observation and attention to details. They are very meticulous individuals who act according to their perception of the environment from the rational and reflection. They think so much that they do little or what they do is done very slowly. They stand out due to their excessive ability for analysis of situations, what makes decision-making and problem-resolution late. (Exception in presence and shape of dynamic letters and not monotonous).

They are self-demanding and they fear failure. They are conservative and they have a hard time trying to innovate. They are not very tolerant before frustration, since they revise situations exhaustively in order to feel peace of mind and satisfied with the task. They have good memory and capacity for attention.

They have a hard time trying to perform several tasks at the same time. They need to finish a topic in order to start another one. They seek precision, perfection without leaving any detail to luck or leaving loose ends. Micrographia is seen in Parkinson’s disease patients and often appears alongside other cognitive symptoms.

What does writing taller than wider mean?

Over-elevated writing

When disproportioned elevations are observed in some letters or in parts of them, the writing is called overelevated. It is only seen in capital letters and in some parts of letters or dots, in “t” bars, upper and lower extensions (tall and long with an accented vertical sense).

This is typical in people that value themselves so much that feel superior to others, proud and conceited. They have fantasies of greatness and superiority.

This is a movement towards the superior area, that is why it is interpreted as idealism and creativity, as long as it is verified with the graphical context. It also indicates sense of honor and spiritual ambition. Depending on how overelevated the writing is, we shall interpret the degree of self-esteem and pride in that person.

What does writing taller than wider mean?

This is the opposite case to overelevated writing. The writing is wider than taller, prevailing the middle area of each letter. It is also seen in lowercase letters.

It expresses a feeling of oppression before adversities. Those who write in lowered writing are individuals with a criteria for reality, practical, simple, submissive and shy. They have little initiative and are hard to motivate.

The lower extensions are tall if they are over three times the size of the oval in the middle area of the writing and symbolyze a high self-esteem, resistence and great creativity and imagination.
Upper extensions are short when they are smaller than twice the middle area and are long when they are over three times the size of the oval. The dimension of the lower extensions are related to the instinctive world. Within the world of instincts sensuality, economy, material and practical matters of life are included.

Measuring handwriting: Height & Width

Tall writing

It is called tall writing when the letters of a writing are taller than they are wide. Ovals are measured objectively: the height and the width. We must not mistake this with overelevated writing, in which disproportions appear only in some parts of letters (like in capital letters, dots and “t” bars. Vanity, need for independence, aspirations to live in a more socially elevated world, pride.

Low writing

The letters in the middle area are wider than they are tall. Dots, bars, accents are low. Lower extensions are normal and excessive. They differ from lowered writing in the fact that the lower extensions and upper extensions are shortened. We must not mistake this with extensive writing. Poor aspirations, incapacity to stir up against others’ demands.

What does increasing and decreasing writing mean?

Decreasing writing: What is the meaning of the decreasing writing?

On the contrary, in this case letters diminish their size along words. Since writing goes from left to right (from me to you) and becomes smaller, it is symbolically introduced to the other. It is observed in prudent individuals, with a critical analysis of situations, ability for reflection and observation, distrust. They need to get to the bottom of situations. With empathy to convince and persuade.

Increasing writing

In this case, the size of letters is incremented along the text, the line, the paragraph or the word. They do not have the abilities of the prior case. Self-confident individuals, optimistic, spontaneous, with a certain tendency to ingenuity and a great ability for astonishment. It is hard for them to connect with others.

Regular and irregular writing

• Regular writing: Eveness is seen when we do not see great changes in the height of letters. Logics, equilibrium, order, reflection, perseverance and persistance prevail. Good adjustment to the environment, fidelity. Ability for concentration, self-control. The same psychological characteristic, if excessive, may reflect routine, monotony and the individual may consider dangerous everything that puts him “away” from his habits.
• Irregular writing: It presents great variations along the writing. It is typical of versatile individuals, who easily catch the environment that surrounds them, very emotional, receptive, intuitive, sensitive, with a clear insecurity and emotional instability. Predominance of feelings over reason, ability perform several tasks at the same time. Order and concentration are less important.
• Size increase writing: Along the text, we see some letter that draws our attention, without keeping rhythm at all. It symbolizes bad mood that may turn into violence. Irritability, temporary loss of control of situations.
• Extended writing: Letters are wider than tall, they stretch out horizontally, they may resemble to filiform writing, there is a great space between letters in one word. It is interpreted as expansion, (extroverted of Jung), need for contact with others, need for becoming the center of attention, spontaneity, self-confidence, imagination, memory, generosity, sociability. On the negative side: Related to waste of money and time, lack of modesty, exhibitionism.

What does tight writing mean?

• Tight writing: In this case there is little space between letters in the same word. On the contrary , this type of writing is related to reflexive people with an ability for concentration. Insecure, shy, prudent. Like in all cases, if the same quality is excessive, may cause regression, austerity, loneliness and pessimism.
• Restrained writing: This type of writing draws back the movement towards the right. It means reflection, fear, need for saving, introversion, difficulty to establish relationships or friendship. Abstract thoughts prevail.
• Rushed writing: It becomes foggy at the end of letters, “t” bars, towards the right and the upwards. Instincts prevail over reason. Tendency to impatience and irritability. Extraversion. Changing and instable relationships.
• Shifted writing: Altered graphism due to unnecessary moves. Associated to quickness or speed of strokes. Thoughts are influenced by imagination. Activity, dynamism, impulsiveness. Sociability, instable bonds.
• Sober writing: Simple, proportioned strokes, without unnecessary decorations. Thoughts are influenced by reason. Associated to writing: clear, contained, simplified and proportioned. (opposed to: rushed, shifted, increasing, disproportioned writing). Objectivity and mental clarity. Shyness, austerity. Affective maturity and stable bonds.

This concludes the article about Study of Handwriting. Feel free to share it with your contacts if you found it useful.

Read also: What does your handwriting say about you? and Letter “t” in Handwriting Analysis.

Follow us on Facebook!

Read also: Handwriting Analysis: Letter “a”

Read also: Handwriting Analysis Letter “d”