This Is What Signature Analysis Reveals About You

You might think of it as little more than a line of ink, but a signature can actually reveal a whole lot about the person writing it. Think, for a second, about what a signature really is—a statement, repeated and refined over decades, that serves as a one-of-a-kind representation of an individual. It binds you to legal documents. It authorizes your purchases. In other words, it's yours—and that's why signature analysis is so revealing.

Is your signature big or small? Messy or neat? Do you sign in the center of the dotted line, or a little bit to the right? It turns out all of these things can offer a major glimpse into who you are. Here, straight from handwriting analysts, are all the ways your John Hancock is a window into your personality.

An indecipherable signature: You're arrogant.

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You might think legibility has to do with how quickly we're signing our names, but the truth is more complicated than that. Signing your name in a way that people can actually read is an intentional choice, according to the online encyclopedia of handwriting analysis. A clear and complete signature shows a person who is open, straightforward, and willing to share who they are with others. An indecipherable signature, on the other hand, may reveal a person who is arrogant and self-important.

Underlining: You lack confidence.

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The encyclopedia of handwriting analysis says that embellishments to your writing reveal a lot about who you are. For example, underlining may indicate a need for responsibility and importance. It also shows a lack of self-confidence and a desire for status and recognition. Embellishments matter because these are deliberate attempts to draw further attention to something that is already apparent—and the things you choose to draw attention to often reveal who you really are.

A short signature: You're impatient.

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According to BrightSide, if the letters that make up your name are close together and create a short signature, it's because you are reactive, impatient, and have weak concentration. Analysts maintain that it's the sign of someone who is itching to move on to something else: You don't even have the attention span to finish writing your name!

A straight signature: You have an even-tempered personality.

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If your signature is easy to read and straight, you're a "balanced and even-tempered person," according to the handwriting analysts at KeepSolid.

A period: You're a titan of industry.

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According to Diply, ending your signature with a period is actually the sign of a strong business leader. It makes sense when you think about it. You're the boss—period.

Downward slant: You're a pessimist.

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Much like a frowny face, a signature that slopes downward reveals a sense of pessimism toward the world around you, according to Diply. Not only that—it may mean that you're cautious in meetings and gatherings, a person who tends to weigh the risks of your decisions before moving forward and acting.

Rightward slant: You're sociable.

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It's all about the direction you're slanting in! A slant to the right generally means that you have an outgoing personality, according to the Daily Mail. A slant to the left, however, means that you don't push yourself forward, as the online encyclopedia of handwriting analysis reveals.

Upward slant: You're thinking about the future.

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Steve Jobs' signature slanted upwards, reflecting his ambition and his tendency to look toward the future—at least, according to the Daily Mail, which reports those qualities as being linked to an upward slanting signature.

Initials only: You're extremely private.

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The Daily Mail says that using only your initials means that you're holding back. Ironically, Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who created a world of oversharing, signs with just his initials.

A nickname: You're fiercely independent.

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A nickname signature reveals someone with an independent streak and a confidence in their own abilities, according to the Daily Mail. Apple's Steve Wozniak signs off with a simple "Woz," his nickname. Wozniak's signature also slants upwards, so you know he's forward-thinking.

Small letter size: You have self-esteem issues.

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The size of your signature matters, says the encyclopedia of handwriting analysis: It indicates how you feel about yourself and the world around you. For example, large signatures show a sense of high status. Medium-sized writing reveals a balance of modesty and value. And finally, small writing might reflect lower self-esteem.

Large capital letters: You're proud.

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So yes, big letters mean big self-esteem, as Diply reinforces. But aside from confidence, large capital letters in a signature also indicate that the signer has a strong sense of self-worth. Barack Obama signs with large capital letters, with a notably strong start to his signature. He aims to make sure his presence is felt.

Illegible letters: Your mind moves quickly.

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Scrawled letters are not necessarily the sign of someone sloppy (or rude): They could actually come from a person who works quickly and moves on to the next project, the Daily Mail says. Your illegible letters might be the sign of an agile mind. Messy writers, rejoice!

Last name more legible than the first: You're cautious.

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The encyclopedia of handwriting analysis says that a tough-to-read first name followed by a legible surname shows someone who is reserved and cautious. You want to hold back on being familiar with others until you get to know them better. However, if it's your first name that's easier to read? That suggests you're approachable, direct, and friendly.

No dots on I's: You think holistically.

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Careless mistake? It might be something deeper, according to the Daily Mail. A missing dot on the I—formally known as a tittle—actually reveals someone who tends to focus on the bigger picture and not on all of those nitty, gritty details.

In the middle of the line: You're self-important.

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It's not just how you sign, but also where. The placement of one's signature says a lot about what's going on in your head, according to the online encyclopedia of handwriting analysis. For example, a signature to the left shows someone who, in public, might seem to be clinging to the past. A signature smack dab in the middle? That's a show of self-importance. And a signature to the right means you're looking to the future.