Cursive Alphabet A to Z: Complete Guide to English Cursive Letters

In handwriting education, cursive letters are grouped by the vertical guidelines they occupy. Standard school paper uses three main lines: the headline (top), midline (middle dashed), and baseline (bottom solid line).

1. Midline Letters (x-height)

Letters that stay strictly between the baseline and dashed midline:

13 of 26 letters (50%)

2. Ascending Letters

Letters that start at the baseline and reach all the way up to the top headline:

7 of 26 letters (27%)

3. Descending Letters

Letters with tails that extend below the baseline to the descender line:

7 of 26 letters (27%) • note f both ascends & descends

Direct Alphabet Directory (A–Z)

The 4 Universal Cursive Connecting Rules

Cursive script is characterized by continuous fluid movement between letters. Understanding where a letter exits determines how it connects to the next letter:

1. Baseline-to-Midline Connections

Most letters (such as a, c, d, e, h, i, k, l, m, n, s, t, u, x) exit with a curved stroke at the baseline that sweeps upward to meet the entry stroke of the following letter at the midline.

2. High Midline Bridge Connections

Four special letters (b, o, v, w) finish with a horizontal bridge at the dashed midline. The next letter must connect directly from the midline without dipping down to the baseline.

3. Descender Loop Connections

Letters with descending loops (g, j, y, z) loop backward below the baseline and cross upward through the baseline to connect smoothly into the next letter.

4. Lifting the Pen (Non-Connecting)

Certain capital letters (B, D, F, I, O, P, T, V, W) do not join to the next letter. Writers lift the pen after completing the capital and begin the lowercase letter anew at the baseline.