Learn how to write the letter R 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 R from around the world.
How to write a capital R in cursive
The cursive R capital begins with a tall stroke from the top down to the baseline, then loops back up to form a bowl on the upper right, and finishes with a diagonal leg that kicks out to the baseline. Written in one flowing motion, the capital R in cursive is a spine, a bowl and a leg.
- Pull the tall spine down from the top to the baseline.
- Loop up to make the bowl, then swing the leg out and down to the baseline.
How to write a lowercase r in cursive
The lowercase r is a short letter with a small shoulder. Start on the baseline, stroke up toward the midline, make a little point or shoulder to the right, then come down and exit toward the next letter. The lowercase cursive R is one of the trickier small letters because of its short shoulder shape.
- Stroke up toward the midline and make a small shoulder to the right.
- Come back down and exit toward the next letter.
Common mistakes to avoid
Keep the shoulder small: the lowercase r has a little bump, not a full hump like an n. Keep it short and pointed.
Stay short: the lowercase cursive R stays between the baseline and the midline.
Finish the leg: the capital R needs its diagonal leg reaching the baseline, or it looks like a P.
One motion: the cursive R flows in a single stroke without lifting the pen.
Joining the cursive r
The lowercase r exits to the right, so it links into the next letter. Practise the cursive R in real words: run, car, tree, river, corner. Notice how the exit stroke carries into whatever comes next.
Fancy Cursive R
Looking for a decorative or fancy cursive R 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 R in cursive shapes in the animation and worksheet above.
R with accents around the world
The letter r takes several marked forms in other languages, and they are easy to copy:
- ล โ r with a caron, a distinctive letter in Czech.
- ล โ r with an acute accent, used in Slovak.
- ล โ r with a cedilla, used in Latvian.
Copy and paste every accented R on the R with accent page, or explore the whole set on Letters With Accents.
Copy and paste a cursive R
Want the plain script letter itself? Tap to copy:
Frequently asked questions
How do you write a capital R in cursive?
Pull a tall spine down from the top to the baseline, loop up to make a bowl, then swing a diagonal leg out and down to the baseline. The capital R in cursive is one flowing stroke.
How do you write a lowercase r in cursive?
Stroke up toward the midline, make a small shoulder to the right, then come down and exit toward the next letter. Keep the shoulder small.
Why does my cursive r look like an n?
The shoulder is too big. The lowercase cursive R has a small pointed shoulder, not a full rounded hump like an n.
Is the cursive r one stroke or two?
One. Both the capital and lowercase cursive R are drawn in a single continuous stroke.