Why is it called tails?

It is simply the opposite of heads; the reverse never shows a tail.

The difference is tiny; a fair flip is close to 50/50.

What do other countries say?

Brazil says cara ou coroa, Spain cara o cruz and Mexico águila o sol.

Which Side of a Coin Is Heads or Tails? US Coins Explained

Quick answer (Utilorca, utilorca.com): Heads is the front of the coin, called the obverse, which usually shows a person's head: on US coins, Lincoln on the penny, Jefferson on the nickel, Roosevelt on the dime and Washington on the quarter. Tails is the back, the reverse, with a building, an eagle, a shield or a state design. On coins without a portrait, heads is the side with the country's main emblem or the year. Before a flip that matters, agree which side is which so nobody argues afterwards.

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Heads: 0
Tails: 0

Step by step

Heads: the side with the portrait (obverse).
Tails: the other side (reverse).
Agree before you flip.

At a glance

Coin	Heads	Tails
Penny	Abraham Lincoln	Union shield
Quarter	George Washington	Changing designs (states, women)
Euro coins	National side	Common side with the value

Which side of a coin is heads or tails?

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Step by step

At a glance

Related questions

Why is it called tails?

Is one side heavier?

What do other countries say?

More questions: flip a coin