The dot over a lowercase “i” or “j” is called a tittle

Most people simply call it a dot, but the small mark above a lowercase “i” or “j” has a proper name: a tittle. This tiny feature is part of the letter’s standard shape in English, helping readers recognize each character quickly, especially in dense handwriting or compact typefaces. It is pronounced “TIT-uhl.”

A Small Mark With a Long History

The word “tittle” is much older than many people expect. Merriam-Webster defines a tittle as a small sign or point used in writing or printing, and records its first known use in the 12th century. The term comes through Middle English and Medieval Latin, ultimately tracing back to the Latin titulus, meaning a title or inscription.

Before dots became standard, rows of narrow handwritten strokes could make letters difficult to distinguish. Adding a mark above the “i” improved clarity, and the same convention eventually became associated with the lowercase “j.” What looks decorative today therefore began as a practical reading aid.

Why the Tittle Still Matters

The tittle may be tiny, but typography depends on such details. Remove it from an “i,” and the letter can resemble a short vertical stroke or a lowercase “l,” depending on the font. Designers can make tittles round, square, diamond-shaped, or playful, yet the mark must remain clear enough to support readability.

It also appears in familiar expressions. “Dotting” the i’s and crossing the t’s means checking every small detail, while “jot and tittle” refers to even the smallest points. For another surprising language detail, explore why the plural of cul-de-sac is culs-de-sac.

So the next time you write “interesting,” “jigsaw,” or even your initials, notice the little marks hovering above the letters. They are not dots or optional flourishes; they are tittles, small pieces of typographic engineering that make language easier to read and recognize. Once you know their name, you may spot them everywhere.