Cursive Alphabet: Every Cursive Letter From A To z, UK School Style
This cursive alphabet shows every lowercase and capital letter in the simple joined style UK schools teach, written stroke by stroke. Tap a letter to watch it, press "Show joins" to see the alphabet joined, then print the chart.
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Play The Cursive Alphabet
The Cursive Alphabet, Letter By Letter
What Is The Cursive Alphabet?
The cursive alphabet is the set of letter shapes used for joined handwriting, where most lowercase letters finish with a stroke that leads into the next letter. UK school cursive is simple: the letters keep their print start points, so a cursive a still starts at the top right with a curl.
The National Curriculum does not name a style, so each school uses its own model. For what "cursive" means in a school, see cursive handwriting.
How Do You Write Each Cursive Letter?
Each lowercase letter starts where it does in print and finishes with an exit stroke. The exit tells you which join comes next: letters that finish on the line join diagonally, and letters that finish at the top join horizontally. The DfE writing framework lists v, w, x, f and r as the letters that join horizontally.
| Letter | Starts | Exit and join |
|---|---|---|
| a | Top right, curling anticlockwise | Baseline exit, diagonal join |
| b | Top | Baseline exit, diagonal join |
| c | Top right, curling anticlockwise | Baseline exit, diagonal join |
| d | Top right, curling anticlockwise | Baseline exit, diagonal join |
| e | Middle of the letter | Baseline exit, diagonal join |
| f | Just below the top right | Top exit, horizontal join |
| g | Top right, curling anticlockwise | Tail: scheme-specific |
| h | Top | Baseline exit, diagonal join |
| i | Middle line | Baseline exit, diagonal join |
| j | Middle line | Tail: scheme-specific |
| k | Top | Baseline exit, diagonal join |
| l | Top | Baseline exit, diagonal join |
| m | Middle line | Baseline exit, diagonal join |
| n | Middle line | Baseline exit, diagonal join |
| o | Top right, curling anticlockwise | Top exit, horizontal join |
| p | Middle line | Tail: scheme-specific |
| q | Top right, curling anticlockwise | Tail: scheme-specific |
| r | Middle line | Top exit, horizontal join |
| s | Just below the top right | Baseline exit, diagonal join |
| t | Top | Baseline exit, diagonal join |
| u | Middle line | Baseline exit, diagonal join |
| v | Top left | Top exit, horizontal join |
| w | Top left | Top exit, horizontal join |
| x | Top left | Top exit, horizontal join |
| y | Middle line | Tail: scheme-specific |
| z | Top left | Scheme-specific |
Letters with tails, and z, are handled differently by each scheme. The National Handwriting Association suggests leaving out the joins after g, y, j, x and z at first. Follow your school's model, and see handwriting joins.
What Do Cursive Capital Letters Look Like?
UK cursive capitals are plain letters, close to print capitals, and most schemes do not join them to the letters that follow. They have none of the loops of American cursive capitals. The full set, stroke by stroke, is on capital letter formation.
Why Do Some Cursive Letters Look Different Online?
Many cursive alphabets online are American cursive, which uses different shapes for many letters and most capitals, often with loops on tall letters. A child's UK school cursive will not match those charts, so a homework sheet often looks different from a poster found online.
| UK school cursive | Many American cursive charts | |
|---|---|---|
| Loops on tall letters | Few or none | Common |
| Capitals | Plain, mostly unjoined | Decorative, often joined |
| Start points | The same as print | Often different |
These are general differences, and individual schemes vary. Use a chart from your child's school, or make one here in the same style.
Questions About The Cursive Alphabet
Can I Print A Cursive Alphabet Chart?
Yes. Tap Print above for a chart, a desk strip or a left-handed strip.
Is This The Same As Continuous Cursive?
No. Continuous cursive starts every letter on the line with a lead-in stroke. See cursive handwriting for both models.
Do Cursive Capitals Join?
Most UK schemes leave capitals unjoined. Check your school's model.
Can Adults Use This Alphabet?
Yes. It is the same alphabet children learn, and it is a good model for adults who want a simple joined style. See handwriting practice for adults.