How to Write W in Cursive

How to write a cursive capital W

The traditional capital W begins with a cane-shaped hook, then makes two pointed valleys on the baseline, with the outer strokes reaching the top line and a final small curl or check at the top right.

Start: Just below the top line, at the left edge of the letter.

1. 1Start below the top line with a small overcurve that rises and turns down, the same entry as capital V and U.
2. 2Slant down to the baseline and make a point.
3. 3Rise in an undercurve to the middle peak, which in traditional cursive reaches the top line or just below it.
4. 4Slant down again to a second point on the baseline, parallel to the first downstroke.
5. 5Rise in a final undercurve to the top line and finish with a small checkstroke or inward curl.

Connecting: Traditional capital W does not join, since it ends at the top line. Lift and start the next letter from the baseline close to the second point.

How to write a cursive lowercase w

Lowercase cursive w is three undercurves to the midline with two slanted downstrokes between them, finished with a small checkstroke and a level bridge to the right.

Start: On the baseline, where the previous letter's exit ends. · Letter family: Undercurve letters, with i, t and u: w opens like u and ends with a bridge like o, v and b.

1. 1From the baseline, make an undercurve up to the midline.
2. 2Slant down to the baseline and curve up again to the midline, as in the first half of a u.
3. 3Slant down a second time, turn at the baseline and rise in a third undercurve to the midline.
4. 4At the midline, make a small checkstroke, a tiny retrace or loop toward the left.
5. 5Slide out to the right in a short level bridge at the midline into the next letter.

Connecting: Lowercase w joins on both sides, entering from the baseline and leaving at the midline. Because the exit is high, the next letter starts from the bridge.

Joining w to other letters

• whwh: From the bridge, the stroke has to rise to the top line to make the h loop. Dip very slightly out of the bridge, then climb. If the bridge goes straight into the loop, the h shrinks and 'what' looks like 'wlat'.
• wewe: Loop the e straight out of the bridge at the midline instead of dropping to the baseline first. Keep the e loop small so 'were' and 'went' don't widen.
• wowo: The bridge leads into the top of the o, so the o starts at the midline and curves left and down. Make sure the o closes; 'word' and 'work' fall apart if it doesn't.
• owow: Two bridge letters in a row. The o's bridge rolls straight into the w's first downstroke. Keep both at midline height, as in 'how', 'now' and 'flower'.

Common mistakes with cursive W

• Rounding the bottoms into a wavy line

  Keep each downstroke straight and slanted and turn tightly at the baseline. Loose round bottoms make w look like a stretched u or a row of e's.

• Ending the lowercase w at the baseline

  The third stroke must finish at the midline with a check and bridge. A w that ends low reads as 'uu' or 'ui'.

• Making the downstrokes lean differently

  Slant every downstroke the same way. Check by drawing light parallel lines through them; uneven slant makes w look like a crooked n.

• Letting the capital W middle peak tower over the sides

  Keep the middle peak level with or a little lower than the outer strokes. A tall middle peak tips the letter and makes it look like two V's colliding.

Easily confused with: Lowercase w is confused with u plus v, with 'ui' if the ending drops, and with m when the bottoms are rounded. Capital W can look like two capital V's or like a capital M turned upside down if the strokes are upright.

Practice words with w

• William
• Wednesday
• where
• window
• flower
• awake

Cursive W: questions