Cursive Letters A to Z: A Simple Guide for Kids

Learning cursive letters is easier when you split the alphabet into small, related groups instead of memorising twenty-six separate shapes. This guide walks through cursive letters A to Z for kids, lowercase first and then capitals, with simple descriptions of each group, the joins that cause trouble, and a practice plan for home. Letter shapes differ a little between schools and countries, so treat this as a friendly overview and follow your school's model chart if it gives one.

To print practice sheets for any group of letters, type them into our free cursive handwriting generator, for example "aa cc dd oo", and choose from one to ten lines.

Before you start: guidelines and basic strokes

Cursive is written on three guidelines. The bottom line is the baseline where most letters sit. The middle line marks the height of small letters, and the top line marks the height of tall letters such as l, h and capitals. A few letters also drop below the baseline, and these tails are called descenders.

Every cursive letter is built from a handful of strokes, so warm up with them before any letters:

• Slanted lines, to keep a steady angle
• Undercurves, which swing up from the baseline
• Overcurves, which arch over and come down
• Ovals, which are the start of many letters
• Loops, tall ones above the line and deep ones below it

Lowercase cursive letters in four groups

Many teachers group letters by how they begin. Methods vary, but this four-group approach is common and easy to remember.

Oval letters: a, c, d, g, o, q

These letters all start with a small counter-clockwise oval. Once your child can draw a smooth oval, a, c and o are very close. The letter d adds a tall stroke on the right, while g and q add a tail below the line. Practise the oval on its own for a whole session before adding the tails.

Loop letters: e, l, h, k, b, f

These letters rely on loops. The e is a small loop sitting between the middle line and the baseline. The l is a tall, narrow loop that reaches the top line. The letters h, k and b begin with the same tall loop and then add an arch, a small loop or a bowl. Keep the loops open and narrow, and remind your child to slide the pencil smoothly rather than stopping at the top.

Arch letters: n, m, v, x, y, z

The n is a stem followed by one arch, and the m is a stem followed by two arches, so counting the humps keeps the letter correct. The v, x, y and z are less common in the early weeks and are usually taught after the others because their shapes are a little unusual.

Curve letters: i, t, u, w, j, p, r, s

This group starts with an undercurve. The i is a short undercurve with a dot added after the word is finished. The t is taller and gets crossed afterwards. The u is two valleys in a row, and the w is a u with a small hook at the end. The p and j drop below the line, while r and s are small and pointed, so they usually need extra practice.

Letters that drop below the line

The letters g, j, p, q, y and z, and in most styles also f, have descenders. A good rule of thumb is that the tail should go about as far below the baseline as a tall loop goes above the top of small letters. Use guidelines that include a space below the baseline, and ask your child to check that tails do not collide with the line underneath.

Joining rules that make cursive flow

Cursive is more than separate letters. The small exit stroke at the end of each letter leads into the next one. Keep these rules in mind:

• Most letters end at the baseline with a gentle upswing, which leads into the next letter at the bottom.
• The letters o, v and w, and often b, end higher up, near the middle line. The next letter begins higher, so the join looks like a small bridge.
• The dot on i and j and the cross on t are added after the whole word is written.
• Capital letters are often not joined to the lowercase letter after them.

Practise joins in short words, such as "in", "on", "so", "we" and "no", before moving to longer words.

Capital cursive letters

Capitals are taller and more varied than lowercase letters, and styles differ widely between schools. Teach them after your child is comfortable with lowercase letters and simple words. Group them by their opening stroke, using whichever model your school follows, and start with the capital letters in your child's name. Practise each capital five times on its own, then write it with the lowercase letter that follows.

Names make excellent capital practice. Try our cursive name generator to see a name in cursive and print a tracing sheet, or read the guide on how to write your name in cursive.

Letters kids often find tricky

• r and s: they are small and pointed. Practise them slowly and enlarge them on a whiteboard first.
• f: it has loops above and below the line, so it needs room.
• z and x: they are unusual and appear rarely, so keep practice short.
• b and l: both begin with a tall loop. Check that b has a bowl and l does not.
• q and g: remember that both tails go below the line.

If a letter keeps going wrong, draw it very large in the air or on a tray of salt, then return to the page.

A practice order that works

• Learn the oval letters first, then the loop letters, then the arch letters and finally the curve letters.
• Teach two or three letters per session, and revisit earlier letters often.
• Use the same three steps each time: trace, copy, then write alone.
• Add joins as soon as three or four letters are comfortable, using simple words.
• Introduce capitals after most lowercase letters are secure.

Custom cursive practice sheets

Workbooks are useful, but custom cursive pages let you focus on the exact letters your child finds difficult. Type a group of letters, a few short words or a spelling list, choose dotted letters for guidance, outline for more freedom or solid gray for writing over, and print as many pages as you need.

A simple weekly plan

• Monday: warm-up strokes and the first two letters of the group.
• Tuesday: the next two letters and a short join.
• Wednesday: all letters in the group on three lines.
• Thursday: three-letter words that use the group.
• Friday: a quick review, then a free choice of favourite words.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Rushing to words before letter shapes feel smooth
• Lifting the pencil in the middle of letters
• Mixing slants within a word
• Making loops too fat or closing them
• Practising for too long, which leads to messy writing and frustration

Frequently asked questions

Which cursive letters should I teach first?

Many teachers start with the oval letters, because a smooth oval is the base for several others.

Are cursive alphabets the same everywhere?

No. Styles differ between schools and countries, and capitals vary the most. Choose one model and stay consistent.

How long does it take to learn all the letters?

Many children cover the lowercase alphabet in six to eight weeks of short, regular practice, though some take longer. Smooth, readable writing matters more than speed.

Should capitals be learned together with lowercase letters?

Most programs teach lowercase first, then capitals once children can write simple words.

Final thoughts

Cursive letters A to Z feel manageable when you teach them in groups, join them in short words and keep sessions brief. Follow your school's model, practise basic strokes first and celebrate progress. For the full routine, read our guide on how to teach cursive handwriting, then print your first custom page.

Free printables to go with this guide

Put this guide into practice with our free generators: cursive writing worksheets, letter formation worksheets, blank handwriting paper.