How to Spin a Pen Around Your Thumb

Have you ever seen someone at school or the office spinning a pen around their thumb with such skill? Have you wondered how they make it look so effortless? The steps to spin a pen around your thumb are simple to understand, but the practice can be tricky. With enough practice, you'll master this skill in no time! See Step 1 below to get started.

Hold the pen between your index finger, middle finger, and thumb. Grip the pen with your dominant hand - your index and middle fingers should be spaced apart roughly the width of your thumb. In other words, if the pen isn’t positioned there, your thumb should fit snugly between your index and middle fingers.

• There are various opinions on where to grip the pen. Some people prefer to hold it closer to the center, while others like holding it at the end of the pen. You should experiment to see which position feels most comfortable for you.

Pull your middle finger as if you are pulling a gun's trigger. For this trick, your middle finger will provide most of the power to spin the pen. Grip the pen between your thumb, index finger, and middle finger as described above, and then quickly pull or snap your middle finger inward, as if pulling the trigger of a gun. If done correctly, the pen will begin to spin around your thumb. If you’re having trouble getting the pen to spin around your thumb, make sure your grip is correct - if your middle finger and thumb are too close together, the pen will get pulled into your thumb rather than spinning around it.

• It’s not easy to find the perfect amount of force for your middle finger. Pulling too hard will send the pen flying, while pulling too softly will prevent the pen from completing a full rotation around your thumb. With time, you’ll learn just how much force is needed for the pen to spin “just right.”

Rotate your wrist to add more spin to the pen around your thumb. Beginners often struggle with pen spinning. The most challenging part is usually getting the pen to make enough rotations around the thumb. To make this easier, try rotating your wrist while pulling your middle finger. Gently rotate your wrist (like turning a doorknob) outward from your body while pulling your middle finger. This motion will add extra force to the pen and help prevent your fingers from interfering with the spin path of the pen.

Move your fingers out of the way to prevent blocking the pen. When learning how to spin a pen, it's crucial to pay attention to your finger placement after pulling your middle finger in. A common mistake for beginners is accidentally letting the index or middle finger block the pen’s path. Here are two techniques to move your fingers:

• After pulling your middle finger inward, bring both your index and middle fingers underneath your thumb joint. The pen will spin around the thumb, which rests on the index and middle fingers.
• At the same time, bend your middle finger at the joint closest to your palm and extend your index finger as far as possible. Your middle finger will rest on your thumb at the inside of the final joint. The pen will avoid hitting the extended index finger.

Catch the pen. The most impressive part of this trick isn't the spinning itself, but being able to catch the pen easily and repeat the action continuously. Once you're comfortable spinning the pen, practice catching it without fumbling. After a full spin, the pen will rise from beneath your middle finger. When it touches your middle finger, use your thumb and index finger to balance the pen on both sides.

Practice, practice, and practice. When you're just starting, the pen spinning movements will feel stiff. However, like other dexterity-based skills (such as riding a bicycle), with time the motions will become so natural that it will be hard to spin the pen “incorrectly.” During practice, experiment with different grip positions, techniques, and spin angles to find the perfect combination.

• Once you’ve mastered spinning with your dominant hand, try using your non-dominant hand!

• Don’t pull the middle finger too hard when spinning the pen upward. Be careful not to push too forcefully, or the pen may fly out of your hand.
• Remember, you should NOT bounce the pen. Bending your middle finger in will cause the pen to spin around and fall out of your hand. If the pen flies off without touching the outer side of your thumb, it means you're bouncing the pen.
• When spinning correctly, the pen's center of gravity will be positioned between your thumb.
• If you're struggling, check that your thumb is flat. This is the position where the pen will spin. Avoid tilting your thumb to push the pen elsewhere.
• Once you’re comfortable spinning the pen, try spinning it in the reverse direction. To return the pen to its starting position, look up online guides for how to spin the pen in reverse.
• If your pen spins unevenly, try holding it at the heavier end.
• To make spinning the pen easier, imagine you are spinning the pen AROUND your thumb at the base.
• Start with a long pencil, then gradually upgrade to a shorter pen.
• After pulling your middle finger back, try to move your thumb so the gap between your thumb and hand becomes wider. This will create more space for the pen to fall into.
• This trick is easier with a longer pen.

• When pulling your middle finger back, don’t pull too hard. You only need a small amount of force to get the pen to spin one full circle.
• Never use a pencil with a sharp point.
• A pencil without lead is safer to avoid poking your hand.
• Be careful not to let the pen fly into your eyes or someone else's.

• Ballpoint pen or pencil. A pencil that is not sharpened is ideal because it is longer, heavier, and more balanced. Some pen spinners even modify their pens for greater convenience.
• Try using a drumstick. It’s quite heavy, so it’s difficult to spin quickly. Hold it at the center point for easier spinning.