59 Interesting Facts About Left Handers (Comprehensive)

1. Left-Handers’ Strengths in Math, Architecture, and Spatial Awareness

A study by University of Liverpool PhD student Giovanni Sala and Professor Fernand Gobet of the University of Liverpool found that left-handers excel at math, architecture and spatial awareness.

2. Lefties Advantage in Sports

People who excel in most sports, one-on-one sports like tennis tennis, swimming, baseball, and boxing, are left-handed. This is one of the positive left-handed facts.

3. Right Brain Dominance in Creativity

Left-handed people use the right side of the brain more. This part of the brain helps and regulates a person’s creativity. That means, 90% of the total population in the world uses the left side of the brain and 10% ( Left Handed people) uses the right side of the brain.

4. Famous Left-Handed Inventors and Innovators

Left-handed people are very smart. Besides, the most famous inventors like Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, and Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company were left-handed.

5. Lefties outperform in leadership roles

Being left-handed may increase their chances of success in leadership positions. According to Robert S. Herbst, an attorney, wellness expert, motivational speaker, and powerlifter who is also a left-hander, “When I was at Columbia Law School, one of the best known schools in the country, most of the enrollees were left-handed.

Most of the students in class were left-handed. It means left handers are right brained people. They are more creative, analytical, verbal and have better language skills. These are important qualities to be a good lawyer.”

6. Lefties have an upper hand in certain situations

Left-handed people won’t disappear, even though there aren’t many of them. Some scientists think they have advantages for survival. When fighting one-on-one, using the left hand can be surprising and give an advantage.

Research conducted by Charlotte Faurie and Michel Raymon found that —lefties did really well in more violent societies. So, in certain situations – left-handed people might have the upper hand.

7. The Relationship Between Left-Handedness and Insomnia

Most left-handed people suffer from insomnia.

8. Etymology of the Word “Left”

The word left in English is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word lyft, which means weak or broken.

9. Multitasking Abilities in Lefties

Many may have the ability to do multitasking or multiple tasks at once. All of that may have been achieved as part of many years of training. But left-handed people are naturally capable of multi-tasking.

10. Lefties Population and Rarity

Approximately 10-12% of the world’s population is left-handed. Therefore, they are special people in this world. Left-handers are better than right-handers in many areas, i.e., left-handers can outshine right-handers by their skill in different areas.

Scientists aren’t exactly sure if being left-handed or right-handed is caused by DNA –or inheritance. If you know a left-handed person » appreciate them because there are not many in the world.

11. Left handed people have high self control and IQ scores

The relationship between intelligence and handedness is still debated. Left-handed individuals generally have higher self-control and IQ scores. However, —it is a myth that left-handed people are more intelligent than right-handed people.

While there have been left-handed geniuses like Leonardo da Vinci –this does not indicate a larger pattern. In fact, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that left-handed people are more intelligent.

12. Parental Left-Handedness and Likelihood of Child Being Left-Handed

According to global estimates, if both parents are left-handed, there is only a 26 percent chance that the child will be left-handed. At the same time, if only the father or mother is left-handed, there is a 15 percent chance that the child will be left-handed.

13. Left-Handedness in the British Royal Family

The British royal family is a prime example of the tradition of having left-handed people. Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, and Prince William are all left-handed.

14. It Increases the Risk of Breast Cancer

Here are some shocking facts about left handed woman. Being left-handed may increase the risk of breast cancer. A study in Busselton, Australia, found that left-handed have a higher risk of developing breast cancer especially for post-menopausal women compared to right-handers. The risk of post-menopausal breast cancer is 2.59 times higher for left-handers.

But don’t worry… more research is needed to fully understand this connection. Because the study was based on a small group of people. The study was conducted in 2005 by Ramadhani MK, Elias SG, van Noord PAH, Gobbee DE, Peeters PHM, and Uiterwaal CSPM. Also it is published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal).

15. Maternal Age and Higher Chance of Left-Handed Baby

According to Stanley Coren, a psychologist at the University of British Columbia — women who give birth in their 40s have a 128% higher chance of having a left-handed baby. Coren suggests that—this could be due to common stress factors experienced by women over 40.

16. Lefties are better fighters

Another facts about left handed guys : Left-handers have proven to be good fighters. Alexander the Great and Napoleon Bonaparte were left-handed.

17. Likelihood of Being an Artist

According to research, artists are more likely to be left-handed.

18. They face language problems

According to a 2009 study from Finland, children who are left-handed are more likely to face language and scholastic difficulties that can continue into adulthood. Similarly, a 1993 study from Norway — which focused on 734 children —found a strong connection between dyslexia and left-handedness.

19. Most left-handed people are angry.

A study in The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease showed that left-handed people feel more negative emotions. Other studies found that non-right-handed individuals, including those who are ambidextrous, also experience more negative emotions, like anger.

This could be because their brains are wired differently, which affects how they feel fear and anger.

20. Drawing Preferences and Handedness

According to a 2014 study, left-handed people are more likely to draw right looking characters. Meanwhile, right-handed people are more likely to draw left looking characters.

Do you have doubts? If so, try drawing a portrait right now. If you are right-handed, you will find it easy to draw a picture of the person who is looking to the left.

21. Gender Disparity in Left-Handedness

There are more left-handed men in the world than left-handed women.

22. Biblical References: Negative Depictions of the Left Hand

In the Bible, the right hand is mentioned 100 times positively, while the left hand is mentioned only 25 times, and all of it negative.

23. Special Hand ability of Lefties

Most left-handers have the ability to use both hands for many purposes. Generally, this ability is not found in right-handed people.

24. Left-Handed Astronauts: A Surprising Percentage

This may surprise you. We have already mentioned that only 10-12% of the world population is left handed. Even though that is a small percentage, 20% of the total astronauts are left handers.

Means Lefties make significant contributions in the field of science.

25. Lifespan Disparity in Left-Handed vs. Right-Handed Individuals

Did you know that left-handed people, on average, tend to live shorter lives than right-handed people? This “discovery” was made by American psychologists Diane Halpern and Stanley Coren in the late 1980s and early 1990s. They studied about 1,000 deaths in Southern California and asked the families if the person was left–or right-handed.

The study found that—left-handers lived to around 66 years old, while—right-handers lived to about 75 years old. The researchers also found that: left-handers were more likely to die in accidents at work or in cars, possibly—because they face challenges in a right-handed world.

26. Left-Handers and Alcohol Addiction

Left-handed people are more likely to be addicted to alcohol because the tolerance level on the right side of the brain is low.

27. Requirement for Nail Care in lefties

Left-handed people need to have their nails trimmed regularly as the nails on their left hand grow faster.

28. Enhanced Hearing Ability

Studies show that left-handed people have better hearing than right-handed people.

29. Facts about left handed writers

Left-handed writers are prevalent in the literary world, offering a distinct—perspective and storytelling approach. They excel in various genres like poetry, fiction, and journalism, although they may encounter challenges with conventional writing tools. According to IFL Science, it—indicates that left-handed individuals possess heightened creativity and problem-solving abilities.

30. Superstitions about Itchy Hands

Here’s a fun facts about left handers: A few People in this world believe that an itchy left hand indicates you will lose money and an itchy right hand, you will receive money.

Did you like this fun facts? let us know in the comments.

31. Lefties struggles to earn

Now, it’s the time for money related facts about left handed people. Left handed people earn less than right handed. Left-handed people, on average, earn 10% less salaries compared to their right-handed peers — according to a 2014 Harvard study.

The wage gap between lefties and righties was found to be $2,500 for men and $3,400 for women. Left-handers were also more likely to not attend or drop out of college and work in less cognitively demanding jobs such as manual-labor.

32. Left-Handed Presidents of the United States

From George Washington’s presidency in 1789 to the current president, Joe Biden, who took office in 2021 —it is interesting to note that eight out of the 46 presidents of the United States have been left-handed. Means, 17.39% chance for left handed president. They are James A. Garfield, Herbert Hoover, Harry S. Truman, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

33. Cultural Beliefs and Historical Practices

Left-handedness is still considered unnatural in many cultures and countries even today. Left handers are considered rude in Middle east or eastern countries like India. Moreover, left-handed children were once forced to use their right hand in the UK too.

34. International Left-Handers Day

International Left Handers Day is celebrated on every year on August 13th.

35. Challenges Faced When Using Common Items

Nothing in the world is designed specifically for left-handers.

For example, a computer mouse and a digital camera are designed to be held in the right hand. No camera designed mainly for lefties has been released anywhere for left-handers. Zip (zipper) or a slide fastener of pants, scissors, – writing pad attached to chair in schools or institutes, – measurements printed on jars in a way that can be read by a right handed person.

Also, the controls of the video game, the way the brand name is printed on the pens, are arranged in such a way that it is easy for a right hand person to use and read while writing. Brand names of tea and coffee mugs are also printed in the same way. Similarly, while right-handed individuals find it convenient to write on a spiral-bound notepad. Whereas, left-handed individuals may accidentally hit the spiral binding. That can lead to hand discomfort.

36. It’s Connected with Premature Birth

Premature birth or children born before 37 weeks gestation are turn out to be left-handed.

37. Advantage on Typing QWERTY Keyboard

It has already been said that a computer mouse is not user friendly for the left hand. Now let’s talk about the computer keyboard. Left-handers have some advantages when it comes to typing. Left-handers can type 3,000 English words on a QWERTY keyboard with just their left hand.

At the same time only about three hundred words can be typed with the right hand only. The most commonly typed letters are on the left side of the keyboard.

38. Faster Recovery from Stroke Compared to Right-Handers

Here is another cool facts about left handers: If a stroke occurs, left-handed people can recover much faster than right-handed people.

39. Higher Likelihood of Left-Handedness in Twins

When twins are born, the chances of becoming left-handed are twice as high as usual.

40. Lower Risk of Arthritis and Ulcers

Contrary to previous claims — a study by Geschwind and colleagues found that – left-handed individuals have a lower risk of developing arthritis and ulcers. These are special things about left handers compared to righties.

Analyzing data based on a large survey, the researchers discovered that — no consistent association between handedness and allergies. The study also revealed significant evidence supporting the idea that left-handers enjoy a reduced rate of arthritis and ulcers.

41. Influence of Womb Behavior

Now, on to the details of a study. According to a study conducted at Queen’s University, Belfast, if the fetus sucks the left hand while in the womb, the child will become a left-hander.

42. Paw Preference in Animals based on Studies on Cats and Dogs

Animals can be left-pawed. For instance» —a study by Ataturk University showed that most domestic cats are right-pawed (50%), some are ambidextrous (10%), and others are left-pawed (40%).

Another study by the University of Manchester found that — dogs are evenly split between right-pawed and left-pawed (50% each).

43. Factors Influencing Left-Handedness

There are many factors that influence handedness. Some of them are genes, heredity, environment, and brain dominance. Twins and males are more likely to be left-handed. The genetic basis for left-handedness is complex, with a 26% chance of a child being left-handed if both parents are left-handed.

The ‘LRRTM1’ gene increases the chances of left-handedness, especially if inherited from the father. Hormone levels during pregnancy and early hand use experiences can also impact handedness. Right hand damage can result in left-handedness.

44. Famous left handed personalities in History

Famous left handers in history are Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, Bill Gates, Neil Armstrong, Marie Curie, Mark Twain, Mozart, Narendra Modi, Leonardo Da Vinci, …

Julius Caesar, Oprah Winfrey, Musician Paul McCartney, German Beethoven, Sylvester Stallone, Justin Bieber ( who signs autographs and play guitar with left hand), Angelina Jolie (she used specially made prop gun for her 2001 movie, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider) , Sachin Tendulkar (who is right handed batsman but left hander), …

Diego Maradona, Pele, Mark Zuckerberg, Aristotle, Steve Jobs, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth and Bart Simpson (one of the characters on “The Simpsons” .

45. Word famous left handed Authors

46. Lefties feel more shy and embarrassed than righties

In Abertay University in Scotland, few scientist did a study on how Left-handedness controls the left people. What do they say about left handers is: Left-handed people might feel more shy and embarrassed than right-handed people.

They worry more about “making mistakes” and “getting criticized”. The study found that–lefties are more hesitant while righties are quicker to take action.

47. Using Left Hand help to improve self control

Are you left-handed and feel a lack of self-control…? Here’s an interesting study… that might help you. Using your non-dominant hand can help improve self-control and reduce aggression, according to research by Dr. Thomas Denson of the University of New South Wales.

The study recommends that right-handers should practice using their left hand for daily activities—such as using a computer mouse, stirring coffee or opening doors – while left-handers should do the opposite. Besides, the study found that—people who used their non-dominant hand for at least two weeks showed better control over their aggression.

48. Left-Handed Individuals Exhibit Higher Vulnerability

Lefties get more scared than righties, according to a research presented by The British Psychological Society.. They showed signs of being really stressed after watching a scary movie and remembering it. The study says that — the right side of the brain, which is stronger in left-handed people, might have something to do with fear. We need to do more research to be sure….

49. Fear of Left-Handed People: Sinistrophobia

We can see people in our society who are afraid of left side or left-handed people. This condition may take the form of a phobia. This phobia is known as Sinistrophobia.

50. They have more chance for homosexual

Left-handed individuals have a 39% higher chance of being homosexual, according to a study conducted in 2000. Another study in 2013 found that — asexual participants were approximately 2.5 times more likely to be left-handed.

51. Academic Performance of Left-Handed Children at School

Left-handed children have not performed as well as right-handed children at school.

52. Sleep Disorders and Movement in Left-Handed Individuals

According to a study by Professor Dawn Alita R. Hernandez, left-handed individuals with a sleep disorder —that causes rhythmic movements are more likely to move both sides of their body.

53. Most kangaroos are lefties

According to a first study of handedness on wild kangaroos and wallabies, published in Current Biology, —most kangaroos, including eastern grey kangaroos and red kangaroos, exhibit left-handedness in performing tasks such as grooming, bending branches and picking leaves.

Red-necked wallabies — on the other hand, alternate between their right and left hands depending on the task. Goodfellow’s tree–kangaroos, who spend most of their time in trees, do not show a strong hand preference.

54. Wealth Disparity Among Left Vs Right Handed College Graduates

About 26% of left-handed college graduates are richer than right-handed rivals.

55. Country with more lefties

The Netherlands has the highest number of left-handed people in the world with 12.95 percent.

56. Notorious Killers and Left-Handedness

According to an article published by New Yorker, many notorious killers in the world are left handers. The most notorious criminals Jack the Ripper, The Boston Strangler, and Osama Bin Laden were left-handed.

57. Health Risks and Left-Handedness

Left-handed people are more prone to ailments like allergies and migraines.

58. Prevalence of Mental Disorders

Mental disorders are said to be common among left-handed people.

59. Study of Hand Preference on Signature for Left-Handed People

Akram Gasmelseed and Nasrul Humaimi Mahmood from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia conducted a study comparing the signature patterns of right-handed and left-handed individuals. The focus was on the ease of issuing documents using signatures and the challenge of verifying handwritten signatures to differentiate between genuine and forged ones.

The study utilized an online verification method with the Intuos TM Graphics Tablet and Intuos pen to capture dynamic signature signals—such as pen pressure, time duration of signing, altitude, and azimuth. In the study, significant differences in signature patterns between right-handed and left-handed individuals were found, indicating potential applications in this field. The study was published in the International Journal of Advances in Engineering & Technology in November 2011.