Making high quality circles (especially small ones) is difficult with a compass. A circle template allows circles to be constructed with lead holders and mechanical pencils. A circle template is a plastic tool that has been perforated with round holes of various diameters. The holes are oversize by a small amount to accommodate the pencil width. Even large circles are better drawing with circle template if the correct hole diameter is available.
![](https://engineeringtechnology.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Circle-Template-306x600.jpg)
Templates are available for many other common shapes including ellipses, bolt heads, architectural symbols, and more.