W in Cursive: How to Write Capital & Lowercase W
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 W in Cursive
Capital cursive W is formed in a continuous multi-cup movement. It begins near the headline with an overcurve, drops to the baseline, sweeps up to the headline, drops again to the baseline, rises to the headline, and finishes with a small inward curl or wave.
Writing Steps for Capital W
- 1 Start near the top headline with a gentle overcurve entry stroke.
- 2 Pull down to the baseline and curve upward to the top headline for the first bowl.
- 3 Pull down along the same slant line to the baseline and curve upward for the second bowl.
- 4 Finish at the top headline with a small inward curl or horizontal wave.
How to Write a Lowercase w in Cursive
Lowercase cursive w starts at the baseline with an upward undercurve to the dashed midline, forms two connected rounded cups on the baseline, rises back to the dashed midline, and finishes with a short horizontal bridge connector.
Writing Steps for Lowercase w
- 1 Start at the baseline with an upward undercurve to the dashed midline.
- 2 Pull down to the baseline and curve upward to the midline to form the first cup.
- 3 Pull down to the baseline and curve upward to the midline to form the second cup.
- 4 Finish with a short horizontal bridge stroke at the midline to connect to the next letter.
Interactive Tracing: W & w
Use your mouse, trackpad, finger, or stylus to trace the letter directly on the ruled lines.
How Lowercase w 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 w transitions seamlessly into adjacent letters.
Capital W Pen-Lift Rule: In standard school cursive, Capital W 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.
From the high midline bridge of w, the connector dips down into the entry undercurve of a.
The bridge of w flows directly into the small midline loop of e.
Connects from the midline bridge directly into the downward stem of i.
Flows from the midline bridge directly up into the tall ascending loop of h.
Example Words Featuring Cursive W & w
Practice writing complete words that feature cursive W. Every word is composed directly from our verified school-cursive letterforms on standard handwriting guidelines.
High bridge connection from w into a, crossed t, and r
Midline connection from w into i, double-hump n, and tall d
Practice w bridge into tall h, midline a, and tall l
Tests consistent slant and rhythm across multiple midline letters
Common Mistakes When Writing Cursive W
Watch out for these common handwriting errors to keep your cursive W legible, balanced, and easy to connect.
Dropping the Exit Stroke to the Baseline
The Issue: Pulling the exit connector of w down to the baseline turns the letter into a u followed by an extra stroke.
How to Fix: Always finish lowercase w with a horizontal bridge resting right at the dashed midline.
Making the Cups Unequal in Width
The Issue: Making one cup much wider than the other makes w look distorted.
How to Fix: Keep both cups equal in width and height along the dashed midline.
Pro Practice Tips for Letter W
- • Remember that letters following lowercase w connect from the midline rather than the baseline.
- • Keep both bottom curves sitting firmly on the solid baseline.
Practice Sheet: Cursive W & w
Trace the faint guide letters on the lines below, then copy the letters independently into the blank spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cursive W
How does cursive w connect to the next letter?
Cursive w finishes with a high horizontal bridge at the dashed midline, which connects directly to the top or drops down into the following letter without touching the baseline.
Does capital cursive W connect to the next letter?
Yes. The final top wave of capital W extends into an exit connector that joins the following letter.