Tarwees (Serif)

Tarwees (ترويس) is an Arabic term often used to describe serif-like finishing strokes in letterforms, similar in role to serifs in Latin type. It refers to small structural "caps" or terminal treatments that can make a stroke feel anchored, directional, or more calligraphic.

Tarwees Across Scripts

Tarwees is most commonly associated with classical, pen-based styles, especially Naskh and Thuluth, where the logic of the reed pen produces clear terminal behavior. It is much less typical in scripts that prioritize speed or compression like Ruqʿah, and it tends to be treated differently or minimized in more geometric traditions like many forms of Kufi. Like serifs in Latin, tarwees can subtly change tone and readability, even when the underlying proportions stay the same.