M in Cursive: How to Write It
Lowercase m is n with one more arch. The work is keeping three humps the same height and the same width. The third hump is the one that usually shrinks.
m
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 m on the baseline and swing up and over the first arch, peaking at the midline.
- 2Come down to the baseline and repeat a second arch, the same height and width as the first.
- 3Add the third arch, come down to the baseline, and exit right. Count the humps if you lose the rhythm.
Common mistakes to avoid
- A shrunken last arch. All three peaks should touch the same midline.
- Pointy peaks, like a printed m. Each arch is round, the same curve you use for n.
- Starting at the top of the first arch with no entry. The swing up from the baseline is what connects m to the letter before it.
Practice words
me · my · come · home · summer
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
How many strokes is a cursive m?
One, if you count lifts. Three arches in a single traveling stroke. Students who lift between arches lose the joins and start drawing a print m.
How do you keep the arches even?
Say over, down, over, down, over, down as you write, and aim every peak at the midline. The verbal count stops the last arch from collapsing.
Does cursive m connect?
Yes, in and out along the baseline. It does not connect from the top. That is why m feels heavy in the middle of a word and fine once the rhythm is there.
Voice to Handwriting · voicetohandwriting.online