How to write cursive L and l
Capital L starts with a loop at the top, like a tall lowercase l, then a long curve down with a small loop at the baseline and a tail out. Lowercase l is a tall loop: up to the topline, over to the left, straight down, and out.
Capital L
Tall: baseline to topline.
About halfway between the midline and the topline, on the left.
Low on the right, swinging up: the tail reaches a third to half of the way to the midline and runs into the next letter.
Lowercase l
Tall: baseline to topline.
At the baseline, on the left.
Low on the right, swinging up.
The lowercase l is the plainest tall loop in cursive, and the b, h, k and f all start the same way. Get this one right and the others follow. Keep the loop narrow and the downstroke straight.
Common mistakes with capital L
- The top loop is left out, so the L reads as a cursive 2 or a Z.
- The bottom loop is drawn big, so the letter looks like a 2 with a tail.
- The tail runs flat along the baseline instead of curving up, so it reads as an underline.
Common mistakes with lowercase l
- The loop is pressed shut, so the l reads as a t without its cross.
- The loop is drawn wide.
- The loop is drawn short, so the l becomes an e.
Joining l to other letters
Practice these pairs until the join feels like one movement.
Print a practice sheet for L and l
The sheet has the numbered stroke guide for both letters, rows to trace, two practice words and a blank row for writing on your own.