P in Cursive: How to Write It
Lowercase p is a descender with a small arch, not a printed stick and bowl. The tail has to cross the baseline or the letter reads as n. Keep the descender clear of the next letter.
p
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 p on the baseline, swing up to the midline, and pull straight down past the baseline into the descender space.
- 2Curve the tail slightly left at the bottom, then come back up to the baseline along the same stem.
- 3Add one short arch to the right, like a small n, peaking at the midline, and exit on the baseline.
Common mistakes to avoid
- A descender that barely crosses the line. p then looks like n with a nervous tail.
- A huge loop under the line that crashes into g or y on the next row.
- Forgetting the arch, so the letter is only a descending stick.
Practice words
play · up · help · jump · apple
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
Does cursive p connect?
Yes, from the little arch on the baseline. The descender itself does not join to the next letter. Write the tail first, then the arch, then the exit.
How deep should the tail of p go?
About the same depth as the descender of g, clearly below the baseline, but not so deep that it hits the line underneath. On three-line paper, stop before the next headline.
How is cursive p different from cursive b?
b loops above the midline and closes a bump. p dives below the baseline and finishes with an open arch. They are mirrors in height, not the same letter flipped.
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