Print y
In print, the lowercase letter y takes 2 strokes and is a letter with a tail that drops below the baseline. 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. In English text y is the number 18 most common letter, at about 2% of all letters, so it comes up in most paragraphs.
The u cup, then a stem that drops to the descender line and loops back to the left.
Stroke by stroke
- Start on the dashed midline at the left side. Draw a straight line straight down, ending on the baseline at the middle.
- Lift your pen and start again on the dashed midline at the right side. Draw a straight line straight down, ending on the descender line at the left side.
Common mistakes
Leaving out the loop in the tail, which makes a j.
y is most often confused with j. Put them side by side and check the first stroke: the starting point and the height are what separate them.
Words with y 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.
Words with y to practise
Questions about print lowercase y
How many strokes is the lowercase letter y in print writing?
2 strokes. Keep going without lifting unless the instructions say so.
Where do I start y in print?
Start on the dashed midline at the left side. Draw a straight line straight down, ending on the baseline at the middle.
Is print y 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 y confused with?
y is most often confused with j. 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 y?
Yes. Open the worksheet maker, type yyy 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.