U in Cursive: How to Write Capital & Lowercase U
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 U in Cursive
Capital cursive U is formed in a continuous sweeping stroke. It starts near the headline with a leftward entry curve, pulls straight down to the baseline, rounds smoothly upward to the top headline, and retraces straight down the same line to the baseline with an exit hook.
Writing Steps for Capital U
- 1 Start near the top headline with a gentle leftward entry curve.
- 2 Pull down along the slant line to the baseline.
- 3 Round upward in a smooth bowl back up to the top headline.
- 4 Retrace straight down the right stem to the baseline and curve up into an exit stroke.
How to Write a Lowercase u in Cursive
Lowercase cursive u is made of two connected midline cups. It begins at the baseline with an upward slant to the dashed midline, pulls down to the baseline, curves up to the midline for the second point, retraces straight down to the baseline, and curls up into an exit stroke.
Writing Steps for Lowercase u
- 1 Start at the baseline with an upward undercurve to the dashed midline.
- 2 Pull straight down along the slant line to the baseline.
- 3 Curve upward to form the first rounded cup touching the dashed midline.
- 4 Retrace straight down the second stem to the baseline and curve up into an exit stroke.
Interactive Tracing: U & u
Use your mouse, trackpad, finger, or stylus to trace the letter directly on the ruled lines.
How Lowercase u 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 u transitions seamlessly into adjacent letters.
Capital U Connecting Rule: Capital U ends with a baseline or midline exit stroke that connects directly into the first lowercase letter of a word (e.g. writing names or sentence starters without lifting the pen).
The baseline exit stroke of u sweeps directly into the first overcurve hump of n.
Flows from the baseline directly into the straight descender stem of p.
Sweeps up from the baseline into the sharp upward slant of s.
Travels from baseline directly up toward the headline for the stem of t.
Example Words Featuring Cursive U & u
Practice writing complete words that feature cursive U. Every word is composed directly from our verified school-cursive letterforms on standard handwriting guidelines.
Combines u with humps, ascenders, and double l loops
Smooth flow from u into n, d, e, and r
Features u connecting to n, i, c, o, r, and n
Practice u into n, open c, and tall l
Common Mistakes When Writing Cursive U
Watch out for these common handwriting errors to keep your cursive U legible, balanced, and easy to connect.
Confusing Lowercase u with Lowercase n
The Issue: Rounding the tops makes u look like an inverted n.
How to Fix: Lowercase u has pointed tops at the midline and rounded bottoms on the baseline.
Drawing an Extra Stem or Loop
The Issue: Adding extra strokes makes u look like a cursive w.
How to Fix: Lowercase u has exactly two upward cups, while w has a third stroke and top bridge.
Pro Practice Tips for Letter U
- • Keep both peaks of lowercase u at the exact same height at the dashed midline.
- • Ensure the bottom curves rest firmly on the solid baseline.
Practice Sheet: Cursive U & u
Trace the faint guide letters on the lines below, then copy the letters independently into the blank spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cursive U
How is cursive u different from cursive w?
Cursive u has two upward points and exits from the bottom baseline, while cursive w has an additional curve and exits from the top midline with a horizontal bridge.
Does capital cursive U connect to the next letter?
Yes. The retraced right downstroke of capital U ends with an upward sweep from the baseline that connects to the following letter.