Which way do you turn a hand wheel to close a valve?

• A. Clockwise
• B. Counterclockwise
• C. Up
• D. Down

Answer: (A)

Turning the hand wheel clockwise to close is the standard way valves are operated. When you rotate the wheel to the right, the threaded stem moves downward, pushing the valve’s gate or disc into the seat and blocking flow. This aligns with the common saying “righty tighty, lefty loosey,” where tightening (closing) is done by turning clockwise and loosening (opening) by turning counterclockwise.

Keep in mind there are rare exceptions—some valves may use reverse threading or different mechanisms—so in those cases you’d follow the local procedure or check the valve tag. But for most hand-wheel valves, clockwise rotation closes the valve.