S in Cursive: How to Write It
Lowercase s does not look like a printed s, and it often begins near the midline rather than with a long baseline entry. Keep it small. A large s becomes a stray capital.
s
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
- 1Begin the cursive s near the midline. Curve left and down toward the baseline, like the start of a loose spiral.
- 2Round the bottom on the baseline and swing back up toward the right, closing a small belly.
- 3Finish with a short exit to the right around the midline, so the next letter can join.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Drawing a printed s, with two separate curves and a lift in the middle.
- Making it as tall as l. The whole s lives between the baseline and the midline.
- A bottom that does not reach the baseline, so the letter floats and will not join.
Practice words
see · said · is · school · this
Turn this letter into a practice sheet
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Frequently asked questions
Does cursive s connect on the left?
Often weakly. Many writers start s with a small lift or a very short entry, then connect strongly on the way out. Do not force a long lead-in or the letter tips over.
How is cursive s different from cursive c?
c is one open curve and stops. s winds down and back up, so it has a belly and an exit. If you only drew the first curve, you stopped at c.
Why is s hard at the start of a word?
There is no previous letter to lean on, and the starting point is higher than a or i. Write a row of s alone before you put it in see or said.
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