clockwisecounterclockwise

Clockwise and counterclockwise are terms used to describe rotational direction in two-dimensional space. Together they form a pair of opposite directions, often abbreviated as CW and CCW. The phrase clockwise derives from the motion of clock hands as they move around the face, typically from 12 toward 3, 6, and back to 12. Counterclockwise (or anticlockwise in British usage) is the direction opposite to a clock’s hands.

In mathematics, physics, and geometry, the standard convention is that angles increase in the counterclockwise direction when measured from the positive x-axis in a Cartesian coordinate system. Rotations in the clockwise direction are considered negative angles. In computer graphics and some engineering contexts, coordinate systems with inverted axes or different handedness may treat clockwise rotation as positive.

Common applications include describing motion, turning a screw or knob, and specifying animation or user interface behavior. For example, many rotary controls tighten when rotated clockwise. In navigation and maps, bearings are usually measured clockwise from north, so east is 90 degrees, south 180, and west 270.

Understanding these directions depends on context: the same physical rotation may be labeled CW in one field and CCW in another due to coordinate conventions or handedness. The terms help communicate orientation without requiring a diagram.