Cursive N
How to write uppercase N and lowercase n in cursive, one stroke at a time.
Cursive n is two slant strokes joined by a single rounded hump — the entry overcurve plus one arch. It is the simplest overcurve letter and the best one to learn the hump on. The capital N is the same shape reaching the top line.
- Stroke family
- Overcurve letters
- Height
- n is a short letter — it stays between the baseline and the midline. n and the other short letters
- Joins the next letter
- Lowercase: yes, from the baseline. Capital: yes. The baseline join n uses
How to write a lowercase n in cursive
Start at the baseline; finish at the baseline, with an exit tail. One continuous stroke.
- Start on the baseline with an overcurve that arches up and over to the midline.
- Slant down to the baseline.
- Overcurve up to the midline again, slant down to the baseline, and finish with an undercurve to the midline.
Lowercase cursive n — numbers mark where each part of the stroke begins
Capital cursive N
How to write a capital N in cursive
Start at the baseline; finish at the baseline, with an exit tail. Capital N ends with an exit stroke, so it joins the lowercase letter that follows without lifting the pen. N beside the other capitals that join
- Start on the left at the midline with a small curl, then overcurve up to the top line.
- Slant down to the baseline.
- Curve back up to the top line on the right and come straight down to the baseline, finishing with a small loop and a tail.
Common mistakes with cursive N
- Starting with an undercurve instead of an overcurve, which makes the n look like a u.
- Pointing the hump; it must be round.
- Adding an extra hump by accident, turning the n into an m.
Tips that help
- n and u are mirror images — n arches over the top, u curves under. Writing "nu" and "un" makes the difference obvious.
- Keep the hump the width of an o.
Practice words with n
Once the letter is comfortable on its own, write it inside words — that is where the joins happen. Watch how the exit tail of n rises to meet the next letter.
nap
nest
noon
nine
nature
Want different words? Type a spelling list into the generator and print your own n sheet (letters A–Z and numbers, up to 24 lines of any length, US Letter or A4), or copy more words that use n from the word lists.
Free cursive N worksheet
Capital N and lowercase n: a model to copy, grey letters to write over, dotted letters to trace, two practice words, and blank rows to finish on your own. Prints on one US Letter page.
Cursive N practice sheet
Uppercase N · lowercase n · nap · nest
Name ______________________ Date __________
Capital N
Lowercase n
Together
Words
On your own
cursivealphabet.pro — free cursive practice sheets
n and its stroke family
Overcurve letters begin with an arch that comes over the top from the left: m, n, v, x, y and z. The hump is the whole skill — keep it round, not pointed.
Families are also the order to learn in, rather than A to Z: the beginner’s guide covers when n is usually taught and the four strokes every letter is built from.
Cursive N questions
How do you write a lowercase n in cursive?
Overcurve up to the midline, slant down to the baseline, overcurve up again, slant down, and exit with a tail. Two slant strokes, one rounded hump.
How do you write a capital N in cursive?
Start with a small curl at the left, overcurve up to the top line, slant down to the baseline, rise again to the top on the right and come down to finish with a tail. Capital N connects to the next letter.
How do you tell cursive n from cursive u?
n begins with an overcurve (an arch over the top) and u begins with an undercurve (a dip under). If the first stroke rises like a hill, it is n; if it rises like a bowl, it is u.
What are some good words to practise cursive n with?
Good practice words for cursive n are nap, nest, noon, nine and nature. Keep the arch of n rounded as the word speeds up; the top of an overcurve is the first thing to turn into a point. Watch the height too: n should stop at the midline, level with the short letters either side of it. The practice sheet on this page rules the first two, nap and nest; the worksheet generator will rule the rest.
Cursive Alphabet — cursive N