axel

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axel

ice skating jump

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Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

The axel is a jump in figure skating that is considered the most difficult. It is an edge jump, meaning the skater uses the edge of their skate to launch into the air without touching the ice with the other skate.1

The jump begins with the skater skating forward on an outer edge, then vaulting into the air. During the jump, the skater completes 1.5 rotations for a single axel, 2.5 for a double, and so on. The skater lands on the opposite foot, facing the opposite direction from takeoff.1

The axel is named after Norwegian figure skater Axel Paulsen, who is credited with inventing the jump in 1882.213

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Common Figure Skating Jumps Explained
Axel
The axel is generally considered the most difficult jump in figure skating. The skater begins the jump by skating forward and lifting one knee off the ice while using their opposite foot to vault themselves into the air. In a tight position a skater completes 1.5…
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The axel is generally considered the most difficult jump in figure skating. The skater begins the jump by skating forward and lifting one knee off the ice while using their opposite foot to vault themselves into the air. In a tight position a skater completes 1.5…
Read More

Gillis Grafström
…the first to make the axel a controlled jump, because its inventor, Axel Paulsen, had worn hockey skates when he performed it. He also originated several spins—the flying sit spin and the Grafström spin, a variation of the camel spin. He skated just four times for the world title and…
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…the first to make the axel a controlled jump, because its inventor, Axel Paulsen, had worn hockey skates when he performed it. He also originated several spins—the flying sit spin and the Grafström spin, a variation of the camel spin. He skated just four times for the world title and…
Read More

figure skating
Jumps
The axel is distinct for two reasons: it is the only jump requiring the skater to lift off while skating forward, and it contains an extra half-revolution. (The double axel is actually two and a half revolutions.) Jumps are further classified as single, double, triple, or…
Read More
The axel is distinct for two reasons: it is the only jump requiring the skater to lift off while skating forward, and it contains an extra half-revolution. (The double axel is actually two and a half revolutions.) Jumps are further classified as single, double, triple, or…
Read More