The tail is the stroke that extends certain letters downward or to the right, often decoratively. It is one of the freest details in the design of a letter, and one of those that best reveal its personality.
Where to see it
The tail is visible on the capital “Q”, where it crosses or extends the round shape of the letter. It can also be seen on the lowercase “j” and “y”, and in some typefaces on the “R” or “K”, when the leg extends beyond the baseline.
Why this detail matters
The design of the tail directly shapes the character and recognizability of a typeface:
- The tail of the “Q” is a true playground for type designers: short, long, straight, curved or detached, it is often enough to identify a font;
- A restrained, compact tail gives a rigorous look, while a long, flowing tail adds a calligraphic, elegant touch;
- When it drops below the baseline, the tail must be designed with line spacing in mind so it does not collide with the next line.
Related term
The leg is the stroke that descends from the body of a letter to the baseline, as on the “R” or “K”, and that can extend into a tail.
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