A ball terminal is a rounded ending, shaped like a teardrop or a small ball, that finishes certain curved strokes. Inherited from engraving and classical typefaces, it gives letters a recognizable roundness and elegance.
Where to see it
Ball terminals are visible at the end of the lowercase “a”, “c”, “f”, “r” or “y” in typefaces such as Bodoni, Didot or Clarendon. They finish the curved stroke with a small rounded volume, thicker than the stroke leading into it.
Why this detail matters
The presence and design of ball terminals directly shape the style and color of a typeface:
- Pronounced ball terminals assert the classical, refined character of a font, particularly in Didones;
- Their size and shape, perfectly round or more elongated, noticeably change the personality of a typeface, from the most elegant to the warmest;
- Because they concentrate weight, ball terminals must be drawn with restraint so as not to create dark spots in text at small sizes.
Related term
The terminal is the end of a stroke that does not finish in a serif; the ball terminal is one of its most characteristic forms.
Anatomy glossary
Ascender, Descender, Sidebearing, Joint, Axis, Bar, Beak, Bowl, Loop, Set width, Counter, Serif, Stem, Leg, Minim, Baseline, Eye, Belly, Foot, Point, Tail, Cross stroke, Terminal; X-height, X-height, Cap height, Body; Mean line, Ear, Spur, Ball terminal, Ligature, Apex, Vertex, Arm, Shoulder, Spine, Em dash, Thick stroke, Hairline, Bracket, Bounding box