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V in Old English Letters

By Maya Chen, lettering designer and type educator · Checked by Jordan Hale · · How we review content

Capital V
Lowercase v

Rendered in the UnifrakturMaguntia typeface, an open-source font. It is a reference shape, not a hand-drawn letter.

V is a letter with two diagonals, which is unusual in a script of mostly verticals. The capital is a heavy left stroke with an ornamental curve and a thin right stroke, and it is notorious for looking like a B when the curve is exaggerated. The lowercase v is a simple pair of strokes meeting at a point.

Outline version to colour or trace

Open in the Old English text generator →

How to draw a Old English capital V

  1. 1Draw the heavy left stroke as a downward diagonal at about 45 degrees, bowing slightly outward and ending in a point at the baseline.
  2. 2Add the right stroke as a thin diagonal that leaves the point and moves to the top right, using the corner of the nib.
  3. 3Draw a small curve at the top left, linking to a diamond head.
  4. 4Add a thin hairline at the top right and check that the two strokes meet at one point on the baseline.

Tip: Keep the left curve gentle. If it bulges too far, the capital resembles a B, which is a common mistake in blackletter V.

How to draw a Old English lowercase v

  1. 1Draw the left stroke as a short diagonal from the x-height to the baseline, starting with a diamond head.
  2. 2Draw the right stroke as a thin line from the point to the top right, forming the V.
  3. 3Add a small hairline at the top of the right stroke, ending in a point.
  4. 4Check that the two strokes meet at the baseline and not above it.

Tip: Write v between two o's. If the v looks wider or taller than the o's, narrow the angle between the strokes.

What makes V awkward or easy

The V is awkward because it contains two diagonals in a script based on verticals. The capital is also confused with B and U, especially when decorated. The lowercase v is easily confused with r and y at small sizes.

Variations

U and V were historically interchangeable, which is why some alphabets show similar shapes for both. Textura capital V is often a compact form with a heavy left stroke, while Fraktur forms use a more open outline. Beyond that, treat the shapes as habits and not strict rules.

Common mistakes with Old English V

  • The capital V looks like a B.

    Straighten the left curve and avoid closing the upper right with a hairline.

  • The two strokes of the lowercase v do not meet at the baseline.

    Draw both strokes toward a single point and check the join.

  • The right stroke is as heavy as the left.

    Use the corner of the nib for the right stroke so it is clearly thinner.

Ideas for Old English V

V is a good initial for names like Vera, Victor or Valentina, and for words like Vintage or Velvet on a label. A gothic V also stands for victory and appears on sports apparel, and its simple shape makes it practical for a small tattoo.

Printable Old English V sheet

Trace the outlines, then fill the empty rows with your own letters.

Old English letter V v Name: ____________________ · coolletteringgenerator.com

Old English V you can copy and paste

Both the capital V and the lowercase v have normal mathematical Fraktur forms. Fraktur: 𝔙 (U+1D519) and 𝔳 (U+1D533). Bold Fraktur: 𝖁 (U+1D581) and 𝖛 (U+1D59B).

Old English V: questions

Why does the blackletter V look like B?
The decorated left curve and a hairline at the upper right can create a shape similar to B. Keep the left curve gentle and leave the upper right open. Compare the two letters at small size. Seeing the letter reduced on a phone screen is a quick way to spot the problem.
Are U and V the same in blackletter?
They share a history, since they were once one letter, and their capitals can look similar. Modern lettering makes them distinct, with a rounded base for U and a point for V. A reader today expects a clear difference, so lean on shape rather than history.
How do I draw V with a marker?
Draw a bold left diagonal and a thin right one meeting at a point, then thicken the left stroke and add diamond ends. The contrast reads as blackletter even without a broad pen. A felt-tip pen with a chisel point is a good half-way tool between marker and calligraphy nib.

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