Types of Ambigrams: Rotational, Mirror, and Figure/Ground
Nearly every ambigram you’ll make will start as one of three core types. Learn how each type works, when to use it, and the quick checks that keep it readable.
Nearly every ambigram you’ll make will start as one of three core types. Learn how each type works, when to use it, and the quick checks that keep it readable. Keep Ambigram Readability handy and test at 24 / 48 / 96 px as you go.
Ready to experiment? Open the Generator
What you’ll learn
- The three foundational types and how they differ.
- A decision path to pick the right type for your word.
- Starter letters, pitfalls, and one-click examples for each type.
- Where advanced variants fit (and when to ignore them).
Type 1 — Rotational (Half-Turn, 180°)
Idea: Flip the design upside-down and it still reads (same word or a paired word). Best for: Tattoos, badges, marks that may be viewed from multiple angles. Starter letters: A H I M O T U V W X Y (symmetry-friendly), plus pairs like A↔V, N↔U.
How to build it
- Focus mass above and below the center equally; avoid a dense “black hole” at the pivot.
- Plan 2–3 intentional merges (shared diagonals/curves); keep everything else separated.
- Add +2 to +4 tracking near the pivot to prevent collisions.
Common pitfalls
- Blobbed center (too many joins at the pivot) → open spacing, reduce merges.
- Collapsed counters in letters like O/A/R → enlarge holes, thicken adjacent strokes.
- Wobbly flip (top feels heavier than bottom) → rebalance stroke weights. See full fixes in Fixing Failed Ambigrams.
Type 2 — Mirror (Vertical or Horizontal)
Idea: Reflect the design across an axis (left–right or top–bottom) and it still reads. Best for: Logos, posters, anything that benefits from strong, architectural symmetry. Starter letters: I O T H X Y as axis anchors; pair straight and curved parts (e.g., A with V, E with a rotated Ǝ idea).
How to build it
- Choose one axis and enforce symmetry in key zones (e.g., cap heights); let other zones adapt.
- Give both halves identical breathing room (same tracking and counter sizes).
- Place an anchor letter on the axis (I/H/O) to stabilize the seam.
Common pitfalls
- Stuttered seam (left ≠ right) → normalize bar lengths and spacing; add an axis anchor.
- Lifeless rigidity → allow pragmatic asymmetry away from the axis to preserve readability.
- Thin mid-bars that vanish at small sizes → increase weight or shorten bars.
Type 3 — Figure/Ground (Positive/Negative)
Idea: The black strokes spell one word; the white spaces (negative space) carve out the second. Best for: Posters, covers, T-shirts—high contrast and a strong “aha!” moment. Starter letters: Bold, blocky shapes for the black word; simple silhouettes for the white word.
How to build it
- Design the black word first with chunky shapes; then “dig out” white channels to reveal the second word.
- Keep white strokes thick enough to survive 24 px; avoid hairline whites.
- Test both black-on-white and white-on-black early.
Common pitfalls
- White strokes disappear → thicken whites, reduce decorative cuts.
- Crowded interiors → remove one flourish and create a small counter instead of a 3-way junction.
- Looks great only in one polarity → ship both black and white exports; consider a mirror/rotation version if needed.
How to pick the right type (a quick decision path)
- Must work tiny (avatar, favicon)? Start with mirror. If your word has symmetry-friendly letters, you’ll stabilize fast.
- Wants a reveal when flipped? Choose rotation—design the “aha” at 180°.
- Poster/cover and high contrast? Go figure/ground, but enforce thicker white channels.
- Stuck anyway? Change type. Rotation ↔ Mirror ↔ Figure/Ground is a valid workflow, not a failure. For small-size rules, see Ambigram Readability.
Starter words and letter pairs (mix & match)
- Friendly alphabets: A H I M O T U V W X Y
- Rotation pairs: A↔V, N↔U, M↔W
- Mirror anchors: I/H/O/T/X/Y on the axis
Advanced variants (nice to know, not required)
- Diagonal Mirror: Axis at 45°. Stylish, harder to balance spacing.
- Quarter-Turn (90°) Rotation: Reads when turned 90°. Niche but fun for monograms.
- Two-Word Ambigrams: Different words in each orientation; plan merges carefully.
- Chain/Totem Ambigrams: Stacked or repeating units; prioritize counters and spacing.
- Perceptual Shift/Oscillation: One drawing supports two interpretations depending on attention cues. These can be great later—master the three core types first. See fixes in Fixing Failed Ambigrams.
Testing & export (works for every type)
- Preview at 24 / 48 / 96 px. If 24 px fails, go thicker/looser or switch type.
- Export PNG (2×/3×) for web previews and a clean SVG (merged, simplified paths) for print/laser.
Use-case cheat sheet
- Tattoos: Rotation or mirror; thicker strokes + looser spacing. See Ambigram Tattoo Guide.
- Wedding stationery: Mirror (formal symmetry) or figure/ground for flair.
- Logos: Mirror is safest; rotation if the flip is part of brand story.
Try these now (one-click examples)
FAQ
Is a palindrome required for any type? No. Palindromes help rotational designs, but non-palindromes work with smart merges and spacing. See Ambigram Readability.
Can one design be both rotational and mirror? Sometimes, but it’s harder. Start with one constraint, ship it, then explore hybrids.
Vertical vs horizontal mirror—does it matter? Choose based on layout. Vertical reads stronger for logos; horizontal suits stacked compositions or prints that flip up/down.
My rotation idea keeps forming a blob in the center. Now what? Reduce merges to 2–3, open spacing +2–+4, and move heavy strokes off the pivot. If it still mushes at 24 px, try mirror. See Fixing Failed Ambigrams.
Figure/ground only works black-on-white. Is that okay? Yes—ship both polarities, but it’s fine if one is superior. If white-on-black reads best, lean into it (posters, dark tees).
How long should a word be? 3–6 letters is the sweet spot for beginners. Longer words demand more merges and spacing discipline.
Next steps: choose a type using the decision path above, and build it in Generator. If readability stalls, switch type, apply the letter fixes in Fixing Failed Ambigrams, and run the checks from Ambigram Readability before exporting.