Methods and systems for winding transformers to maximize symmetry of the primary and secondary coils may comprise a transformer with a primary coil and a secondary coil. A first portion of the transformer has at least one turn around a core, and includes twisted pair sections of the primary coil and secondary coil. A second portion of the transformer may include a fractional turn extension of only the primary coil at one end of the first portion, and a third portion of the transformer may include a fractional turn extension of only the secondary coil at an opposite end of the first portion, where the fractional turn extensions area equal in length. A center tap may be coupled to the first portion of the transformer, which may be a balun. The transformer may comprise an off-chip transformer that includes wires wound around a magnetic core.