How to Do the Pen Flip: Best Tricks for Beginners

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Check out these cool and easy pen-spinning tricks

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 Fact Checked

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Using Your Middle Finger

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Using Your Thumb

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Passing Between Your Fingers

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Flipping pens is a fun way to pass the time during school or work. To learn the basics, start by flipping the pen over your middle finger. Then, learn how to flip the pen using your thumb and pass the pen in between your fingers. With practice and some finger muscles, you can easily flip pens.

How to Flip a Pen

Hold the tip of the pen between your thumb and index finger, and rest the pen on your middle finger. Move your middle finger slightly to start the flip, and move your thumb and index finger out of the way as it flips. Once the pen flips around your middle finger, catch it with your index finger.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Flipping Pens with Your Middle Finger

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1
Grip the tip of the pen between your thumb and index finger. To start the trick, pinch the tip of the pen so the barrel faces toward your other fingers. Hold the pen gently with your index finger and thumb.^{[1]
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- Use your dominant hand so you have more control over the pen.
2
Rest the pen on your middle finger. Position the pen across your middle finger so your ring finger touches the pen slightly from below.^{[2]
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- Your pinky placement does not affect the trick.
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3
Move your middle finger lightly to push the pen. Just a small amount of force is all you need to get the pen to move. When you do this, the pen starts to flip over your finger.
4
Adjust your thumb and index finger as you move the pen. While moving your middle finger, slide your thumb completely off of the pen and move your index finger out of the way.
- This way, the pen can easily flip over your middle finger.
5
Bring the pen back around with your index finger. Once your pen flips over your middle finger, catch the pen with your index finger. Then, bring it back into its original position. Do this quickly in 1 consecutive motion.^{[3]
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- Your index finger acts as a guide for the pen when doing this.
6
Catch the pen in between your index finger and thumb. To nail the trick, let the pen slide in between your thumb and index finger after it flips over your middle finger. Since the pen already has momentum, it should easily fall into place.^{[4]
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- At this point, the tip of the pen should be in between your thumb and index finger, and the rest of the pen should face toward your other fingers.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Your Thumb

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1
Hold the pen between your index finger and thumb as if you’re writing. This is similar to the position used when flipping the pen over your middle finger, but the pen is facing the opposite direction with this trick.
- Use any pen that feels right to you.
2
Slide your pointer finger along the pen. In order to flip the pen over your finger, move it out of the way to get it into position. Move your finger about 1 in (2.5 cm) or so.
3
Push the pen slightly with your index finger to flip it over your thumb. After you slide your finger down the pen, tap the pen gently in order to make it move. With just a little force, the pen should flip over your thumb.
- All you need is a light tap. If you use too much force, the pen may go flying.
4
Catch the pen in between your middle finger and thumb. After the pen flips around your thumb, bring your thumb down to stop it on your middle finger. Keep your index finger out of the way as you do this. This trick is known as the "Thumbaround."
- This way, the pen does not keep flipping off your hand.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Passing Between Your Fingers

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1
Hold the pen at the center in between your middle and index finger. When doing this trick, you want the pen to be balanced on both sides to start. Keep the tip of the pen facing outwards and the end of the pen facing towards you.^{[5]
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- This way, the pen can easily slide in between all of your fingers.
2
Bend your ring finger and pinky so they are out of the way. If you don’t bend your other fingers, they will intercept the pen when you flip it. Simply bring them toward your palm so you can easily flip the pen.^{[6]
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3
Flip the pen around your finger upwards to make your first pass. Gently press on the pen with your middle finger to make it move. Bring the tip of the pen upwards, and rotate it around toward you. As you do this, secure it between your middle and ring finger.^{[7]
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- When you do this, you essentially transfer the pen from in between your middle and index finger to your middle and ring finger.
4
Move your index and middle finger outward so they don’t block the flip. To do your next pass, bend your middle and index finger toward the palm of the hand. This way, your middle finger is in position to grab your pen during the next flip.^{[8]
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- If you don’t bend your fingers, you won’t be able to grip the pen during the next pass.
5
Rotate the pen around your ring finger to make your next pass. Press on the pen with your middle finger to make the pen rise. Bring the end of the pen upwards, and secure it in between your middle and index finger. This completes your second pass.^{[9]
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6
Continue rotating the pen up and down your fingers to perform the trick. Do these motions consecutively to quickly flip the pen over your fingers. After you flip the pen into your middle and index finger, start the process over again to continuously flip the pen. This is known as the “finger pass” technique.^{[10]
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- Try this trick after you master the “thumbaround,” as it is slightly more difficult.

Community Q&A

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Question

Why doesn't my pen roll smoothly through my fingers? It keeps getting stuck at certain point.

Community Answer

Try to use a round pencil or pen. If it gets stuck, make the pencil or pen smaller.

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Question

Can I use a pencil for this trick?

Zhi Wang

Community Answer

Yes, you can. A pencil is very similar to a pen and you can use the same steps.

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Tips

When you practice different tricks, start slow and gradually increase your speed. The tricks are performed rather quickly, but by practicing at a slow pace, you can land the trick correctly.

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If you drop the pen, that’s okay! Keep practicing to strengthen your finger muscles. Over time, you can hold the pen in place and flip it to do tricks. You can also try using a light pen.

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