Cursive alphabet · Letter J
Cursive J: How to Write Uppercase & Lowercase J
Cursive j is an i that continues below the baseline into a loop. The capital J drops below the line the same way, which is why j and J feel related.
Cursive J at a glance
Capital J
Lowercase j
Numbered dots mark where each stroke begins. The red line is the baseline; the dashed line is the midline. Style: traditional American school cursive, simplified to a single line.
Capital J in cursive: step by step
- 1Start near the top line and draw a stem down, leaning slightly left at the top.
- 2Continue through the baseline to the descender line.
- 3Loop to the left and sweep back up to the right, crossing the stem near the baseline.
Lowercase j in cursive: step by step
- 1Start on the baseline and swing up to the midline.
- 2Come straight down through the baseline to the descender line.
- 3Loop to the left at the bottom.
- 4Swing back up to the right and finish with an exit stroke. Add the dot after the word is done.
Trace cursive J on screen
Use a finger, stylus or mouse. Start at the numbered dot, follow the dotted guide, then press Check to see how much of the guide you covered.
Capital J
Trace over the dotted guide with your finger, mouse or stylus.
Lowercase j
Trace over the dotted guide with your finger, mouse or stylus.
How cursive j joins other letters
The j exits from the sweep after the loop, so the connecting stroke rises from below the baseline. Keep the rise gradual so the next letter starts at the right height.
ja
je
jo
ju
aj
Trace the join: ja
Trace over the dotted guide with your finger, mouse or stylus.
Practice words with j
Capitalized names are written the way they would be on a card or label; lowercase words show how the letters link in a line.
James
Julia
January
jump
enjoy
jelly
major
Want a word of your own? The worksheet generator makes a practice sheet for any name.
Common mistakes with cursive j
A dot in the wrong place
Place the dot directly above the stem, at the same height as the dot on an i. A dot that drifts right looks like a stray mark.
A loop that is too small
A tight loop at the bottom turns into a hook. Give it the same room you give the loop on a g.
Cursive j vs i: Cursive j and i share the first two strokes. Only the j continues below the baseline into a loop, and both get a dot. See cursive I →
Cursive J questions
Does cursive j get a dot?
Yes. The lowercase j is dotted like an i, after the word is finished. The capital J has no dot.
Free printable worksheet: cursive J
One page with capital J, lowercase j, joins and words to trace, plus blank lines for your own writing. Print it on US Letter or A4.
More practice: the full alphabet practice sheets, or all cursive worksheets.