How many pen widths tall should a lowercase "h" be when written in Italic?

When determining the height of a lowercase "h" in Italic script, the standard practice is to measure the character's height relative to pen widths. In traditional calligraphy, the height of such lowercase letters is typically set to 10 pen widths. This measurement ensures that the letter retains a balanced and visually appealing proportion, fitting harmoniously within the context of the typeface.

The significance of using 10 pen widths specifically lies in achieving a consistent and legible appearance. At this height, the stroke remains prominent enough for clarity but not so exaggerated that it detracts from the elegance typical of Italic styles.

Understanding pen width as a unit of measurement helps calligraphers maintain uniformity across various letterforms. The choice of 8, 12, or 14 pen widths would deviate from the established norms of Italic calligraphy that dictate a more classical approach, making the letter either too small, overly large, or disproportionate in contrast to other standard strokes in the Italic alphabet. Thus, the choice of 10 pen widths strikes the right balance for the traditional lowercase "h."