How To Draw An Ellipse With String

How To Draw an Ellipse

Drawing accurate ellipses can be tricky, as they often come out uneven or slightly lopsided. However, if you need to draw a quick ellipse to make a template or guide, this method will help.

Resources

Measure out your center line and place a nail at each end of the line leaving a little space outside. Wrap your string around the nails but stretch it up to where you want the top of the ellipse to be before securing the string to the nail. Using a notched pencil, set the string into the pencil notch, keep the pencil straight with tension on the string, and bring the pencil up and around to create your ellipse. You can find all the materials at local home centers.

Materials

String Pencil Thin scrap wood or luan Two nails

Tools