Learn to write the letter Y 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 Y from around the world.
How to write a capital Y in cursive
The cursive Y capital is a tall letter that dips below the baseline. Start near the top, make a short curve, come down to the midline, then sweep up to a peak on the right and bring a long stroke all the way down below the baseline, hooking the tail back to the left. The capital Y in cursive is graceful and reaches both high and low.
- Come down from the top to the midline, then sweep up to a peak on the right.
- Bring a long stroke down below the baseline and hook the tail back to the left.
How to write a lowercase y in cursive
The lowercase y is a descender. Start on the baseline, stroke up to the midline, come down to a point, up again, then bring a long stroke down below the baseline and hook it back to the left. The lowercase cursive Y looks like a u with a tail that drops below the line.
- Stroke up, down to a point, and up again like the start of a u.
- Bring a long tail down below the baseline and hook it back to the left.
Common mistakes to avoid
Let the tail drop below the line: the y is a descender, so its tail goes below the baseline. Do not stop it on the line.
y vs g: the y starts with a u-like shape, while the g starts with a round bowl. Watch the top of the letter.
Hook the tail left: the tail of the cursive Y loops back to the left, ready to join the next letter.
Keep the top short: the body of the y stays between the baseline and the midline; only the tail drops below.
Joining the cursive y
The lowercase y loops back up from its tail, so it links into the next letter. Practise the cursive Y in real words: yes, day, you, happy, yellow. Notice how the tail carries the pen onward.
Fancy Cursive Y
Looking for a decorative or fancy cursive Y 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 Y in cursive shapes in the animation and worksheet above.
Y with accents around the world
The letter y takes a few marked forms in other languages, and they are easy to copy:
- รฝ โ y with an acute accent, used in Czech, Slovak and Icelandic.
- รฟ โ y with a diaeresis, used in French and Dutch.
- ลท โ y with a circumflex, used in Welsh.
Copy and paste every accented Y on the Y with accent page, or explore the whole set on Letters With Accents.
Copy and paste a cursive Y
Want the plain script letter itself? Tap to copy:
Frequently asked questions
How do you write a capital Y in cursive?
Come down from the top to the midline, sweep up to a peak on the right, then bring a long stroke down below the baseline and hook the tail back to the left. The capital Y in cursive reaches both high and low.
How do you write a lowercase y in cursive?
Stroke up, down to a point, and up again like a u, then bring a long tail down below the baseline and hook it back to the left.
Why does the cursive y go below the line?
The lowercase y is a descender, so its tail dips below the baseline, like g, j, p and q.
How is a cursive y different from a cursive g?
The cursive Y starts with a u-like shape, while a cursive g starts with a round bowl. The top of the letter tells them apart.