Celeb Glow
news | April 06, 2026

What is the name for a shape that is like a capsule, but with two different radii?

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I'm looking for the name of a shape that is like a capsule, but where each circle can have different radii. The shape could be described using two circles (two centers and two radii). Something like this (this is a 2D shape, not a lame attempt at 3D):

figure

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4 Answers

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You can just say it is the convex hull of two circles.

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Here is an article at Mathworld on Circle-Circle Tangents. Perhaps "CirclesWithTangents"?

Circle-Circle Tangents
(source: wolfram.com)

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I would suggest the name "Capsuloid". I had the same question but in $3D$. One could define the capsuloid ratio as the quotient of smallest radius $r$ to biggest radius $R$. $r\over{R}$ belongs to $[0,1]$, a value of $1$ corresponding to a true capsule.

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I have 3 ideas from which you may be able use to settle upon a suitable name:

  • a conrod or tapered conrod (as in the big-end small-end connecting rod);

  • it resembles a pull tab of a zipper; and,

  • it also resembles the tab pull of a soda can.

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