Learn to write the letter Z 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 Z from around the world.
How to write a capital Z in cursive
The cursive Z capital is a graceful letter that dips below the baseline. Start near the top with a small curve, make a rounded top, come down through the middle, then bring a long stroke down below the baseline and hook the tail back to the left. The capital Z in cursive looks quite different from the sharp printed Z.
- Make a rounded top and bring the stroke down through the middle.
- Bring a long tail down below the baseline and hook it back to the left.
How to write a lowercase z in cursive
The lowercase z is a descender in cursive, unlike the print z. Start on the baseline, make a small shoulder at the top, curve down, then bring a long stroke below the baseline and loop the tail back to join the next letter. The lowercase cursive Z has a little top and a looping tail below the line.
- Make a small shoulder at the top and curve down.
- Bring a long tail below the baseline and loop it back toward the next letter.
Common mistakes to avoid
Let the tail drop below the line: the cursive z is a descender, so its tail goes below the baseline, unlike the printed z. Do not stop it on the line.
Round it, do not zig-zag: the cursive Z flows in curves, not the sharp angles of a printed Z.
Loop the tail: the tail of the z loops back to the left, ready to join the next letter.
Keep the top small: the body of the z stays between the baseline and the midline; only the tail drops below.
Joining the cursive z
The lowercase z loops back up from its tail, so it links into the next letter. Practise the cursive Z in real words: zoo, zip, lazy, puzzle, dozen. Notice how the looping tail carries the pen onward.
Fancy Cursive Z
Looking for a decorative or fancy cursive Z 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 Z in cursive shapes in the animation and worksheet above.
Z with accents around the world
The letter z takes several marked forms in other languages, and they are easy to copy:
- ลพ โ z with a caron, used in Czech, Croatian and Slovenian.
- ลบ โ z with an acute accent, used in Polish.
- ลผ โ z with a dot above, used in Polish and Maltese.
Copy and paste every accented Z on the Z with accent page, or explore the whole set on Letters With Accents.
Copy and paste a cursive Z
Want the plain script letter itself? Tap to copy:
Frequently asked questions
How do you write a capital Z in cursive?
Make a rounded top, bring the stroke down through the middle, then bring a long tail down below the baseline and hook it back to the left. The capital Z in cursive is curved, not sharp like the printed Z.
How do you write a lowercase z in cursive?
Make a small shoulder at the top, curve down, then bring a long tail below the baseline and loop it back toward the next letter.
Why does the cursive z go below the line?
In cursive the lowercase z is a descender, so its looping tail dips below the baseline, unlike the printed z which sits on the line.
Is the cursive z one stroke or two?
One. Both the capital and lowercase cursive Z are drawn in a single continuous stroke.