Print number 1
In print, the number 1 takes 1 stroke and is a tall letter that reaches the top line. Print letters (also called manuscript) are built from straight lines and circles, drawn top to bottom and left to right, with a lift of the pencil between strokes. This is the order most kindergarten and first-grade programs teach, so it is a good model for a child who is just starting.
A short flag then a straight downstroke.
Stroke by stroke
- Start just below the top line at the left side. Curve straight down, ending on the baseline at the right side.
Common mistakes
Adding a base, which makes it a printed 1.
1 is most often confused with l. Put them side by side and check the first stroke: the starting point and the height are what separate them.
1 in numbers
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.
1 in numbers
Questions about print number 1
How many strokes is the number 1 in print writing?
1 stroke. Keep going without lifting unless the instructions say so.
Where do I start 1 in print?
Start just below the top line at the left side. Curve straight down, ending on the baseline at the right side.
Is print 1 the same in every school?
Most programs agree on the shape, but some teach the stroke order differently. This page follows one common top-to-bottom, left-to-right order and says so, so if your school's handbook differs, follow the handbook.
What letter is 1 confused with?
1 is most often confused with l. 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 1?
Yes. Open the worksheet maker, type 111 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.