Cursive alphabet · Letter S
Cursive S: How to Write Uppercase & Lowercase S
Cursive s starts with an upstroke to a point, then drops back down and finishes with a small sweep along the baseline. It is often the hardest lowercase letter to write smoothly.
Cursive S at a glance
Capital S
Lowercase s
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 S in cursive: step by step
- 1Start near the top line at the right and curve left and down in an S shape.
- 2Cross the midline and come around the lower curve toward the baseline.
- 3Finish with a small hook to the left. Lift before the next letter.
Lowercase s in cursive: step by step
- 1Start on the baseline and swing up to a point just above the midline.
- 2Turn at the peak and curve down and slightly left toward the baseline.
- 3Round the bottom and sweep to the right in an exit stroke.
Trace cursive S 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 S
Trace over the dotted guide with your finger, mouse or stylus.
Lowercase s
Trace over the dotted guide with your finger, mouse or stylus.
How cursive s joins other letters
The s exits from the baseline, so it joins to most letters. In 'st', the t's stem picks up straight from the exit.
sa
se
si
so
st
Trace the join: sa
Trace over the dotted guide with your finger, mouse or stylus.
Practice words with s
Capitalized names are written the way they would be on a card or label; lowercase words show how the letters link in a line.
Sarah
Spain
Sunday
sun
sister
classes
yes
Want a word of your own? The worksheet generator makes a practice sheet for any name.
Common mistakes with cursive s
A peak that is too high
The point of the s should rise only slightly above the midline. A tall peak makes it look like a b without its bowl.
A flat bottom
Round the curve at the bottom. A flat base makes the s look like a tilted r.
Cursive s vs r: Cursive s and r both start with an upstroke and can look alike when written quickly. The s curves down and sweeps right; the r goes sideways at the midline. See cursive R →
Cursive S questions
Why is the lowercase s so hard to write in cursive?
The s changes direction twice in a small space: up, then down, then sideways. Practice it slowly on its own and then in pairs like 'st' and 'ss' before writing it in words.
Free printable worksheet: cursive S
One page with capital S, lowercase s, 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.