Drafting compasses move a pencil around a point to draw and copy arcs and circles. Also known as pencil compasses, they have two legs that meet at a hinge and adjust to set the size of the circle. One leg anchors the compass and the other leg guides the pencil or other writing tool to mark the circle.

Trammels measure distances between two points, transfer measurements between surfaces, and mark large arcs and circles that are beyond the capacity of drafting compasses and dividers. Also known as trammel points, they clamp onto a compatible beam, ruler, or strip of wood. Their removable tips can be switched out for pencils, pens, soapstone sticks, or other marking tools.