How to write a cursive S

The capital and lowercase cursive S in traditional US cursive, the joined handwriting taught in many American schools. Follow the steps, trace the letter on the worksheet, then practice the joins and words.

Lowercase cursive s

1Start on the baseline and swing up to just above the middle line.
2Come down in a curve that bulges out to the right.
3Close the bottom with a small curve back to the left at the baseline.
4Join the next letter from the bottom of the s.

Cursive capital S

1Start on the baseline at the left.
2Swing up to the top line.
3Make a small loop at the top.
4Come down in a big curve to the right and finish at the baseline with a curve back to the left.

The capital S does not join the next letter: lift the pencil and start the next letter just after it.

Cursive s joins and words

Cursive joins with s (so, st, sh, us, is) and words to practice: sun, star, snake

Joins to practice: so, st, sh, us, is

Words: sun, star, snake, sock, sea, sandwich

Tip: Close the bottom of the s, or it can look like an r.

Letter group: Letters that start with a stroke up from the baseline: p, r, s.

Cursive S worksheet

Trace the capital and lowercase s, the joined sss, and a word, on handwriting lines with starting marks. Print it at 100% on US Letter paper.

Download the cursive S worksheet (PDF)Make your own

Free, no account. "Make your own" opens the worksheet generator with S selected, for A4, other sizes or dashed letters.

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Make a coloring page to go with the worksheet, such as a snake. Your first page is free, with no sign-up.

Cursive S questions

Does the capital cursive S join the next letter?▾

No. The capital S stands on its own. Lift the pencil and start the next letter just after it, with a small gap.

Why does the cursive s look different from print?▾

The cursive s starts with a stroke up from the baseline, has a small point at the top, and closes at the bottom. It looks a little like a sail.

Which letters are like the cursive s?▾

The s belongs to the letters that start with a stroke up from the baseline: p, r, s. Letters in the same group start the same way, so many teachers practice them together.

The cursive alphabet, letter by letter

Cursive alphabet chart|Cursive capital letters|Cursive worksheet generator

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