For lefties, not all pens are created equal.

Pens suitable for left handed people must have two key features. 1.) The ink needs to be quick drying to prevent smudging as the hand moves across the page. 2.) A comfortable grip that reduces hand strain.

I’m going to cover the different types of pens that are suitable for left handed people, including:

• Our top pick ballpoint pen for lefties
• The top left handed fountain pens
• The best left handed rollerballs
• Top personalized pens for lefties
• Tips for getting the best writing experience left-handed

First up! Let’s talk about what pen writing style is best for a lefty.

The Best Type of Pen for Lefties

• Ballpoint pen - smudge free, fast drying
• Link to Ultimate Guide to Pen Writing Styles
• Feature Pen: Parker IM with Parker Quink

In general, ballpoint pens are the best type of pen for left handers to use because of the sticky, fast-drying ink.

This means that the ink is already dry as the left hand follows behind the writing, preventing the dreaded shmear of ink on the page and the ink stained side of the palm.

Does this mean all ballpoints will not smudge?

Unfortunately, no. Not all ballpoints are made alike, so it is important to find the ballpoint refill brand/pen design that works best for your writing style.

The Best Ballpoint Pens for Lefties

The ballpoint pen that I recommend for lefties is the Parker IM.

Parker IM

Hand comfort is essential for left handers when writing, and the Parker IM ballpoint pen delivers just that.

Its medium barrel, cylindrical grip sits comfortably in hand, reducing the likelihood of fatigue.

The IM comes with Parker Quink that delivers a consistent stream of Parker’s proprietary ink, with no skipping or hard starts, allowing lefties to use less pressure as they push the pen across the page, while still being tacky enough to give good feedback.

TRY A PARKER IM

Fun Fact: As of 2019, left handers make up 9.2% of the global population.

Uni-Ball Jetstream Ballpoint

Are you a left hander looking for a pen that combines the smooth, vivid writing of a gel pen with the quick-drying, smudge-resistant properties of a ballpoint? Then the Uni-Ball Jetstream is for you!

Thanks to Jetstream’s Super Ink technology, you enjoy stain-free writing even if you’re a fast writer.

The Jetstream has one of the best refills in the business and if you want, the Jetstream SXR-600 is a Parker G2 style refill which means it fits the “universal ink size” for ballpoints which includes Parker Pens.

The comfortable grip section of this ballpoint supports extended writing sessions without causing hand fatigue, a big win for lefties.

Zebra F-301

The Zebra F-301 ballpoint pen is a joy for lefties to use thanks to its easy glide ink which allows users to apply less pressure when writing, thus eliminating finger soreness.

Also, the textured grip enables you to hold the pen firmly yet comfortably.

Left handers tend to hold pens more firmly than right handers, so a pen that helps them to relax their grip greatly enhances their writing experience.

It gets even better. This pen uses quick-drying ink, making smudges a thing of the past for lefties.

The Best Fountain Pens for Left Handers

For left handers, writing with fountain pens can be a messy affair since these pens are generally slow drying compared to ballpoint pens.

However, it’s possible to achieve hassle-free writing with fountain pens as a leftie when you have the right tools and use the right methods.

Pilot Vanishing Point

The retractable nib of the Pilot Vanishing Point isn’t just a cool feature—it also helps make left handed writing easier. It prevents the nib from catching on the page as you move your hand across the page.

What’s more, the varied 18k nib sizes (fine, extra fine, and medium) are well suited for left handers since they minimize the amount of ink on the paper, thus reducing drying time and smudging.

And at 0.9 oz, this fountain pen has a nice heft that balances out the pen. This helps lefties not experience hand fatigue as they write.

Dayspring Pens Alexandria

Sometimes a larger barrel pen is the better way, and that is the case with the Dayspring Pens Alexandria. This fountain pen’s larger barrel means no pressure is needed to write so the pen can do the work for you.

Complete with a rubberized grip, the pen has an ergonomic design not always seen in fountain pens.

Easy to refill and compatible with universal ink cartridges, the Alexandria is a go-to fountain pen fit for all…especially lefties.

FIND YOUR LEFT HANDED FOUNTAIN PEN

LAMY Safari Fountain Pen

LAMY Safari’s fountain pen provides a smooth writing experience for lefties for several reasons. First, its grip surfaces are tripod shaped. This ensures that your fingers remain feeling comfortable even when writing for long periods.

Also, the ink dries quickly, preventing the mess of smudges on the page and ink stains on your hands.

Opt for the fine point nib, as this will allow a more controlled thinner ink line which will dry quicker.

A viewing window that allows you to check the ink level is a nice bonus too.

The Best Left Handed Rollerball Pens

Rollerballs can be excellent pens left handers to use if the pen features a fast-drying ink which prevents smudges.

Below are my top best rollerball pens for lefties:

Pilot Metropolitan

Say goodbye to messy writing with Pilot’s Metropolitan Rollerball. The fine 0.7mm tip lays down a little ink at a time, keeping smudging at bay.

And the ink it does put out is Pilot’s very own G2 ink so you get the same writing quality as a Pilot G2 in the stunning Japanese design of personalized Pilot pens.

The well-balanced barrel is ergonomically designed to reduce hand fatigue. For left-handed writers who hold pens differently, this quality is helpful in ensuring comfort.

Fun fact: August 13 is Lefthanders Day!

Parker Jotter Stainless Steel Gel Pen

A timeless icon in the writing instruments world, the Parker Jotter is an excellent choice for left handers.

With its fast-drying ink, the issue of messy pages from smudged ink becomes a distant memory. The ink is also smooth, delivering a pleasant and precise writing experience with no blotches or hard starts.

This lightweight pen (0.55 oz) is a delight for lefties to use as it is easy to maneuver for long writing sessions without tiring the hands.

GIVE A LEFT HANDED ROLLERBALL A GO

Personalized Pens for Lefties

Waterman Hemisphere Rollerball Pen

Not only does this pen impress with its intentional design and premium finishes, but it also is a Dayspring Pens staff favorite.

The rollerball pen is silky with a rich black writing line perfect for signatures. The beauty of the Hemisphere is it writes just as incredibly right handed as left and it comes with custom engraving oriented for a left handed user.

The pen is nicely balanced. At 0.7 oz, the Hemisphere rollerball has enough weight to comfortably balance the pen without overly straining it.

With their high gloss black lacquer finishes and 23k gold appointments or brushed stainless steel, these pens add a touch of class to your desk and convey your exquisite taste.

And with custom engraving offered by Dayspring Pens, the pen transforms into an heirloom keepsake that is delightful to use.

PERSONALIZE YOUR HEMISPHERE ROLLERBALL

Monroe Ballpoint and Mechanical Pencil Set

The perfect practical combination, the Dayspring Pens Monroe set offers the permanence of a ballpoint with the forgiveness of the mechanical pencil.

Click-action and easy to use, this set is all about giving the left handed writer needs for a great writing experience on the go.

Its weighted body balances well, and its medium barrel is the perfect everyman size.

A thoughtfully designed ergonomic grip is indented into the set’s body to ensure users are comfortable while writing. Since left handers generally hold pens tighter than right handers, the rubber grip that reduces finger fatigue is a huge advantage.

And of course, this set is custom engraved by Dayspring Pens with your name, personal message, or logo to make it uniquely yours.

ENGRAVE YOUR MONROE SET TODAY

Cross Classic Century Black Ballpoint Pen

The aptly named Classic Century has been a staple of Cross pens for decades.

This slender, twist-action ballpoint is perfect for a left handed user who wants a lightweight, thin barrel pen.

This black and gold Cross pen has a matte finish that increases grip and engraves in 23k gold to match the trim. It’s a fancy pen perfect to commemorate graduations and promotions alike.

This pen can only be engraved left handed in certain finishes due to the decorative ribbing on the metal iterations of the Classic Century.

EXPERIENCE A CUSTOM CLASSIC CENTURY

The following table compares key features of some of the left handed pens discussed above:

Pen Model	Pen Type	Nib Size	Weight	Materials	Ave. Price
Parker IM	Ballpoint	Medium	0.8 oz	Lacquer, brass	$40
Pilot Vanishing Point	Fountain	Fine, extra fine, medium	0.9 oz	Lacquer, gold	$175
Parker Jotter	Rollerball	Fine	0.55 oz	Stainless steel, chrome	$40
Waterman Hemisphere	Rollerball	Fine	0.7 oz per pen	Lacquer, gold, stainless steel	$120
Dayspring Pens Alexandria	Fountain	Medium	1.6 oz	Lacquer, gold, stainless steel	$40

FAQs for Left Handed Writing

Does Paper Matter When Writing Left Handed?

The best writing paper for lefties to use to achieve optimal results has the following properties:

• Thick- to prevent ink bleeding through to the other side of the page
• Low absorbency- helps to prevent ink from smearing
• Smooth textured- reduces drag and makes writing easier

Is There a Difference Between Left and Right Handed Pens?

The short answer is sometimes.

Most of the time, the pens are exactly the same, but some pen manufacturers will make pens tailored specifically for lefties.

When this is the case, left and right handed pens differ in the following ways:

• Smoothness: left handed pens are designed to write more smoothly when pushed across the paper, as opposed to being pulled by righties.
• Nib angle: Some left-handed pens have slightly angled nibs to support the natural writing motion of lefties.
• Ink flow: Pens for lefties have a smoother and quicker drying ink to reduce smudging.
• Grip design: Some leftie-friendly pens have grips angled for the left hand to provide an ergonomic writing experience.

If a pen has been made specifically for left-handed writing, it will be advertised as such.

Conclusion

That’s it for my list of pens for left handed writers. As always, the best pen is the pen that you enjoy using whether you are right or left handed.

What is your favorite left handed pen? Leave a comment below.

And for more buyers guides and to learn more about the world of pens, check out some of my other articles:

• What Are the Best Brands of Fountain Pen?
• Co-Workers Gifts: a Guide to Healthy Professional Gift Giving
• Can You Recycle Pens: A How To Guide

Sam Di Nardo is an author for Dayspring Pens, where she has honed her expertise in ballpoint, rollerball, gel and fountain pens since joining the team in 2018. From her initial role as an Engraver to becoming the Production Manager, Sam's journey has been marked by her passion for the history, manufacturing, and the unique value of gifted writing instruments. A graduate of Regent University with a degree in English Literature and a special interest in Old Norse literature, dive deeper into Sam's world and discover why she's your trusted guide in the realm of gift pens. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.