Learn how to write the letter L in cursive in capital and lowercase.
Watch how to write it
Free printable worksheet
Left- and right-hand friendly ยท numbered stroke order and red start dots included ยท three-line ruling with dotted midline.
Watch the animation, print the free worksheet, and follow the step-by-step guide below, plus the accent forms of cursive L from around the world.
How to write a capital L in cursive
The cursive L capital is a graceful, looping letter. Start near the top with a small loop, sweep down in a tall curve to the baseline, then curl along the bottom to the right with a little flourish. The capital L in cursive is one flowing stroke that looks quite different from the plain printed L.
- Start near the top with a small loop and sweep down to the baseline.
- Curl along the bottom to the right to finish with a small flourish.
How to write a lowercase l in cursive
The lowercase l is one of the simplest letters to write. Start on the baseline, swoop up to the top line making a tall, narrow loop, then come straight back down to the baseline and curve out to the right to join the next letter. The lowercase cursive L is a single tall loop.
- Swoop up from the baseline to the top line in a tall loop.
- Come straight back down and curve out to the right toward the next letter.
Common mistakes to avoid
Keep the loop tall: the lowercase l reaches all the way to the top line, like b, h and k.
Do not close the loop too tight: leave a visible narrow loop, or the l looks like a plain i without its dot.
l vs t: the l has no crossbar. If you find yourself wanting to cross it, you are thinking of a t.
Keep it smooth: the cursive L is one continuous curve, not a sharp up-and-down line.
Joining the cursive l
The lowercase l exits to the right at the baseline, so it joins smoothly into the next letter. Practise the cursive L in real words: lot, ball, tell, little, yellow. Notice how the exit stroke flows into whatever comes next.
Fancy Cursive L
Looking for a decorative or fancy cursive L for a name, a bio, or a social media post? Below are several stylish script versions of the letter. Tap any one to copy it, then paste it wherever you like:
These fancy versions are great for signatures and profiles. For handwriting practice, use the clear L in cursive shapes in the animation and worksheet above.
L with accents around the world
The letter l takes several marked forms in other languages, and they are easy to copy:
- ล โ the barred l, a common letter in Polish.
- ฤบ โ l with an acute accent, used in Slovak.
- ฤพ โ l with a caron, used in Slovak.
- ฤผ โ l with a cedilla, used in Latvian.
Copy and paste every accented L on the L with accent page, or explore the whole set on Letters With Accents.
Copy and paste a cursive L
Want the plain script letter itself? Tap to copy:
Frequently asked questions
How do you write a capital L in cursive?
Start near the top with a small loop, sweep down in a tall curve to the baseline, then curl along the bottom to the right. The capital L in cursive is one flowing stroke.
How do you write a lowercase l in cursive?
Swoop up from the baseline to the top line in a tall narrow loop, then come straight back down and curve out to the right toward the next letter.
Is the cursive l one stroke or two?
One. Both the capital and lowercase cursive L are drawn in a single continuous stroke.
Why does my cursive l look like an i?
The loop has closed up too tightly. Leave a clear, narrow loop in the tall stroke so the l does not look like a plain i.