I in Cursive: How to Write Capital & Lowercase I
Educational Note: Cursive styles can vary slightly across curricula. The specimens on CursiveABC use a consistent school-style cursive system designed to make initial strokes, loops, and connections easy to understand.
How to Write a Capital I in Cursive
Capital cursive I starts at the baseline with an upward loop or curve that sweeps left and up to the top headline. It then pulls straight down along the main slant line to the baseline and curls into a leftward boat curve resting on the baseline.
Writing Steps for Capital I
- 1 Start near the baseline and curve upward to the left, sweeping up to the top headline.
- 2 From the headline, pull straight down along the slant line to the baseline.
- 3 Curve upward to the left at the baseline to form a rounded base.
How to Write a Lowercase i in Cursive
Lowercase cursive i is a simple, single-stem letter. It starts at the baseline, slants upward to the dashed midline, retraces straight back down the same line to touch the baseline, curls up into an exit stroke, and is finished with a small dot placed above the midline.
Writing Steps for Lowercase i
- 1 Start at the baseline with an upward undercurve to the dashed midline.
- 2 Retrace straight down the same line to the baseline.
- 3 Curve upward to the right to create an exit stroke.
- 4 Lift the pen and place a neat dot just above the midline directly over the stem.
Interactive Tracing: I & i
Use your mouse, trackpad, finger, or stylus to trace the letter directly on the ruled lines.
How Lowercase i Connects to Other Letters
In continuous cursive handwriting, individual letters flow smoothly into the next. Below are common letter combinations showing how the exit stroke of lowercase i transitions seamlessly into adjacent letters.
Capital I Pen-Lift Rule: In standard school cursive, Capital I does not connect directly to the next letter. The writer completes the capital form, lifts the pen, and begins the lowercase letter at the baseline.
The exit stroke of i curves up from the baseline into the first overcurve hump of n.
Flows from the baseline directly up toward the headline for the stem of t.
Sweeps up from the baseline to the midline to begin the sharp slant of s.
Curves up from the baseline into the small open loop of e.
Example Words Featuring Cursive I & i
Practice writing complete words that feature cursive I. Every word is composed directly from our verified school-cursive letterforms on standard handwriting guidelines.
Features i connecting to open curve c and loop e
Combines multiple midline and ascender letters
Flows from i into hump n and ascender k
Tests i connecting to descending g and ascending l
Common Mistakes When Writing Cursive I
Watch out for these common handwriting errors to keep your cursive I legible, balanced, and easy to connect.
Drawing a Loop on Lowercase i
The Issue: Opening a loop in the stem makes lowercase i look like lowercase e.
How to Fix: Retrace straight down the entry line before curving at the baseline so no loop is created.
Drawing a Circle or Line Instead of a Dot
The Issue: Fancy circles or dashes distract and distort the letterform.
How to Fix: Place a single, crisp dot directly above the stem.
Pro Practice Tips for Letter I
- • Write the entire word first, then go back to dot the i and cross any t stems.
- • Keep the stem height strictly aligned with the dashed midline.
Practice Sheet: Cursive I & i
Trace the faint guide letters on the lines below, then copy the letters independently into the blank spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cursive I
When should I dot the cursive letter i?
In fluent cursive writing, finish writing the entire word before lifting your pen to dot the i and cross any t stems.
Does capital cursive I connect to the next letter?
Traditionally capital I ends in a rounded base and does not connect to the following letter, allowing the next letter to begin at the baseline.