Abstract: A symmetric RF coil for use in a probe for NMR apparatus comprises an odd number of turns having generally straight portions and arc-shaped portions wound alternately in series on the curved surface of a cylindrical sample region. An additional pair of arc-shaped segments connect to the outermost turn to form continuous end rings, and to split the current on the outermost turn to the continuous end rings. Such an RF probe coil possesses material symmetry provided by the additional arc-shaped segments and RF symmetry as a result of the symmetry in current flow generated by the split in current of the outermost turn to the continuous end rings. The symmetric odd-turn RF coil achieves NMR performance at the same level of even-turn coils with high RF homogeneity, and is suitable for high resolution NMR applications. The coil inductance of the present invention bridges the gap between even-turn coils, and facilitates improved optimization of the resonance circuits over the entire operating range.