How to write a cursive Z

The capital and lowercase cursive Z 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 z

1Start just under the middle line with a small hook.
2Curve over to the right and down to the baseline.
3Make a little turn at the baseline and drop below it.
4Loop to the left, come back up and swing out to the right.

Cursive capital Z

1Start just under the top line, on the left.
2Curve up and over to the right and down to below the middle line.
3Make a little turn and drop below the baseline.
4Loop to the left, come back up and swing out to the right.

The capital Z joins the next letter, so the word carries on without lifting the pencil.

Cursive z joins and words

Cursive joins with z (za, ze, zo, iz, zz) and words to practice: zoo, zebra, zero

Joins to practice: za, ze, zo, iz, zz

Words: zoo, zebra, zero, zip, zigzag, zucchini

Tip: The cursive z looks like a 3 with a tail, not like a print z.

Letter group: Letters that start with a small hook: m, n, v, x, z.

Cursive Z worksheet

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

Download the cursive Z worksheet (PDF)Make your own

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

Add a picture to color

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

Cursive Z questions

Does the capital cursive Z join the next letter?▾

Yes. The capital Z ends with a stroke that leads straight into the next letter, so the whole word is written without lifting the pencil.

Why does the cursive z look like a 3?▾

The cursive z has a curve at the top and a loop below the baseline instead of straight lines. Many children say it looks like a 3 with a tail.

Which letters are like the cursive z?▾

The z belongs to the letters that start with a small hook: m, n, v, x, z. 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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