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X in Old English Letters

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

Capital X
Lowercase x

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

X is a simple crossing of two diagonals, and it is one of the few letters where blackletter looks rather like Roman. The capital has one heavy diagonal and one thin one, with diamond ends, and the lowercase x is smaller, with the same structure. It is rare in English but common in initials and in design.

Outline version to colour or trace

Open in the Old English text generator →

How to draw a Old English capital X

  1. 1Draw the heavy diagonal from top left to bottom right at about 45 degrees, with a diamond head and foot.
  2. 2Draw the thin diagonal from top right to bottom left, using the corner of the nib, crossing the heavy stroke at its centre.
  3. 3Add small hooks or serifs at the ends of the thin stroke, and a diamond at each terminal.
  4. 4Check that the crossing sits at the middle height and that the arms are balanced.

Tip: Cross the strokes slightly above the middle. A crossing at the exact centre looks static, whereas a slightly raised one gives the letter a stable base.

How to draw a Old English lowercase x

  1. 1Draw a short heavy diagonal from the x-height to the baseline.
  2. 2Cross it with a thin diagonal in the opposite direction, using the corner of the nib.
  3. 3Finish each end with a small diamond or a tiny hook.
  4. 4Check that the letter is the same height as the neighbouring lowercase letters.

Tip: Write x between two e's. If the x looks bigger or heavier than the e's, narrow its arms.

What makes X awkward or easy

The X is awkward because the diagonals contradict the vertical rhythm of the page, and the crossing point can become a dark lump. Because it is rare, many writers have not developed the muscle memory for it.

Variations

Textura x is usually a compact crossing with diamond ends, while Fraktur x can have more curved arms. In some historic hands the lowercase x has a curved lower left arm. These are general trends.

Common mistakes with Old English X

  • The crossing forms a black knot.

    Pull the thin stroke lightly across the heavy one so only a small overlap appears.

  • The arms are all the same weight.

    Use the full width of the nib for one diagonal and the corner for the other.

  • The lowercase x is taller than the x-height.

    Rule the x-height and bring each end exactly to the lines.

Ideas for Old English X

X is an effective initial for names such as Xavier, Xena or Ximena, and for brand names with an edgy character. A gothic X is a popular symbol for tattoos, band logos and streetwear, and as a standalone mark it gives a clear, symmetrical shape.

Printable Old English X sheet

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

Old English letter X x Name: ____________________ · coolletteringgenerator.com

Old English X you can copy and paste

Both the capital X and the lowercase x have normal mathematical Fraktur forms. Fraktur: 𝔛 (U+1D51B) and 𝔵 (U+1D535). Bold Fraktur: 𝖃 (U+1D583) and 𝖝 (U+1D59D).

Old English X: questions

Is X easy to draw in blackletter?
It is simple in structure, but the crossing needs care. Keep one stroke heavy and the other thin, and avoid a knot at the centre. Practise it as a pair of diagonals before adding the ornaments. It repeats well, so a quick row of X shapes makes a decent warm-up exercise.
Why does my X look like a Roman X?
You may be missing the contrast and the diamond terminals. Make one diagonal heavy and one thin, and add small angled ends. These details separate it from a plain cross. A plain cross of two lines has uniform weight, which is exactly what blackletter avoids.
Should the X be symmetrical?
Not entirely. A slightly raised crossing and different stroke weights make it look more natural. Perfect symmetry looks mechanical, but wild asymmetry is distracting. Aim for a subtle balance. Sit back from the page and see whether the letter feels balanced rather than measuring it.

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