Indentation tests using a spherical indenter were applied to six hexagonal close-packed structure single crystals-pure Mg, Mg0.5 at%Al, Mg0.5 at%Zn, Mg0.5 at%Y, Mg0.9 at%Y, and pure Zn single crystals to investigate the roles both slips and twinning induce on the formation of indentation. When indented on (0001), all single crystals displayed circular morphology without slip lines or twins. Mg and Mg alloys' indentation sizes were found dependent on critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) for basal slip in (0001) indentations, while Zn (0001) indentation size depends on CRSS for both basal and second order pyramidal slips. Conversely, when indented on ð10 10Þ and ð1 210Þ, all single crystals displayed indentations elongated to [0001] surrounded by basal slip lines. Also, f10 12g twins were observed in Mg0.5 at%Al and Mg 0.5 at%Zn but were scarce in MgY. Pure Zn displayed second order pyramidal slips. Sizes of both ð10 10Þ and ð1 210Þ indentations were found dependent on CRSS for basal slips and for f10 12g twins.