Inversions are roller coaster elements that turn riders upside down, commonly referred to as “loops”, “hoops” or “loop de loops”.

A roller coaster inversion is a specialized track element designed to turn riders completely upside-down before returning them to an upright position. For an element to be classified as an inversion, the rider's heartline or center of gravity must rotate at least 135 to 180 degrees, momentarily orienting their head toward the ground. Common examples of inversions include the classic vertical loop, the corkscrew, the Immelmann loop, and the zero-gravity roll. Modern steel coaster technology, pioneered by companies like Arrow Dynamics and Schwarzkopf in the 1970s, allowed these elements to be designed with "clothoid" shapes rather than perfect circles, which reduced intense G-forces and made the experience smoother and safer for passengers. While wooden coasters historically avoided inversions due to structural limitations, modern engineering has enabled "hybrid" and specialized wooden coasters to include them as well, significantly increasing the thrill factor and variety of the ride experience.