H in Cursive: How to Write It
Lowercase h borrows the tall loop of l and the arch of n. The arch stays open. Close it and the letter becomes b, which is the mistake this page is here to prevent.
h
The letterforms on this page are rendered in Cedarville Cursive, an open-source font — school styles like Zaner-Bloser or D'Nealian differ in details. Treat the steps as the source of truth for stroke order; let the sample show you one possible shape.
Write it step by step
- 1Start the cursive h on the baseline and climb to the headline, then loop left and come straight down.
- 2At the baseline, swing up and over into one arch, the same hump you use for n, peaking at the midline.
- 3Bring the arch down to the baseline and exit right. Do not curve back into the stem.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Closing the arch so it touches the stem. That sealed shape is b, not h.
- A pointy arch, like a printed h. The hump should be round and the same height as n.
- A loop so wide it eats the arch. Keep the ascender narrow and give the hump its own space.
Practice words
the · hand · chair · house · school
Turn this letter into a practice sheet
Opens a cursive tracing sheet with this lesson's words filled in. Download the PDF and print it.
See this letter on the alphabet chart and download the sheet →
Frequently asked questions
What is the one difference between cursive h and b?
The right side. h is an open arch that ends on the baseline and leaves. b swings back and closes a bump against the stem. Check the right side before you check the height.
Does cursive h connect?
Yes, out of the arch, along the baseline. The tall loop is only the start. Students who stop after the loop have written l.
How tall is the arch of h?
Midline, same as n and m. The loop is the only part that reaches the headline. An arch that climbs to the headline makes the letter look like a double l.
Voice to Handwriting · voicetohandwriting.online