How to Create a Perfect Circle Without Tracing

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
    Find a drafting compass. You can buy one at office supply or drafting supply stores.
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    2
    Put your pencil in the open leg of the compass.
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    Adjust the compass for the radius of your circle. For a bigger circle, spread the compass wider.
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    Set the stationary leg of the compass where you want the middle of the circle.
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    Keep the stationary leg stable as you move the pencil leg around in a circle.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Pencil Tip

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    Choose a well-sharpened pencil.
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    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.
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    Place the pencil on the paper. Press down on the point where the exposed wood on the pencil meets the painted part.
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    4
    Have the tip of the pencil touch the paper, so that the eraser end is sticking up.
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    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.
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    Continue the rotation until a full circle is formed.
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    Congratulations! You have now completed your circle.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Square

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    Draw a square.
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    Divide the square equally into 4 smaller squares using a pencil and ruler.
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    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.
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    4
    Repeat for each small square until one large circle has been created inside the large square.
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    5
    Erase the square lines. Leave behind the circle.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How can I draw a small circle?
    CyanCoding
    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.
  • Question
    What if the paper moves the wrong way when I'm rotating it?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Don't worry, mistakes help you improve! Just start over or erase your mistake.
  • Question
    I tried it and my pencil wouldn't move, why didn't it work?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You may be pushing down too hard. Make sure your pencil is fairly sharp too.
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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

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 25 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 131,546 times.
206 votes - 61%
Co-authors: 25
Updated: January 10, 2022
Views: 131,546
Categories: Drawing Shapes
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