Cursive j
In cursive, the lowercase letter j takes 1 stroke plus 1 dot and is a tall letter that also drops below the baseline. The model on this page is US Traditional, the connected style most American classrooms teach: the pen stays on the paper inside a word, and every letter is drawn to flow into the next. Press Play to watch the letter write itself, then use Step to move one stroke at a time. In English text j is the number 23 most common letter, at about 0.15% of all letters, so it comes up in fewer words than most letters.
An i with a tail: the stem drops below the baseline and loops back left before you add the dot.
Stroke by stroke
- Start on the dashed midline at the right side. Curve straight down, ending on the baseline at the right side.
- Lift your pen and add the dot just above the dashed midline, centered over the letter.
Common mistakes
Missing the loop in the tail, which makes it a y.
j is most often confused with y. Put them side by side and check the first stroke: the starting point and the height are what separate them.
Words with j to practise
Practice
Trace on screen first: press Trace it above and follow the grey letter. Then print the sheet and write the same letter on paper. Writing on paper is what builds the habit.
How j joins to the next letter
In connected cursive the pen leaves j at the baseline. That exit point decides the connector to the letter that follows. These are the pairs you will write most often.
Questions about cursive lowercase j
How many strokes is the lowercase letter j in cursive writing?
1 stroke and 1 dot. Add the dot last, after the letter is finished.
Where do I start j in cursive?
Start on the dashed midline at the right side. Curve straight down, ending on the baseline at the right side.
Is cursive j the same in every school?
US Traditional cursive is the connected style most American schools teach. Teachers may use a different model, such as D'Nealian or Zaner-Bloser, so a few letters (the capital G, Q and Z especially) can differ from your school's handbook.
What letter is j confused with?
j is most often confused with y. Put them side by side and check the first stroke: the starting point and the height are what separate them.
Can I print a practice sheet for j?
Yes. Open the worksheet maker, type jjj or a whole word, pick a line size, and print. The sheet has a dark model row, grey tracing rows, dotted rows and blank lines.