These letter tracing worksheets are free to print for home or the classroom. Every sheet uses simple ball-and-stick letters on handwriting lines: a solid top line, a dashed middle line and a solid bottom line. Green dots show where each stroke begins, so kids learn to start at the top instead of building letters from the bottom up.
What order should you teach letters in?
Alphabetical order is fine, but grouping letters by how they are made is easier on little hands. Many teachers use groups like these:
- Straight lines first: l t i L T I E F H. Down strokes and short crosses. The easiest place to start.
- Circle letters: c o a d g q. All start the same way, curving left from the top of the circle.
- Humps and hooks: n m h r b p. A straight line, then a curve over the top.
- Slants: v w x y k z A V W X Y. Diagonals take more control, so save them for after the basics.
Mix in the letters from your child's name early. They'll care about those most, and our name tracing worksheet maker builds a sheet from any name.
How to use the worksheets
- Trace the solid example first with a finger, saying the strokes out loud.
- Trace the dotted rows with a crayon or chunky pencil, starting at each green dot.
- Write on the blank rows without a guide. Praise the best one on the line.
Slip a sheet into a page protector and use a dry-erase marker to practice the same page all week.
Which line size is right?
Large lines suit ages 3 to 4, medium fits most kindergartners, and small works for kids 6 and up who need neatness practice. When in doubt, go one size bigger.
Working on numbers too? Try our number tracing worksheets for 0 to 9.