How to write cursive F and f
Capital F is a stem with a wavy top and a short bar across the middle. Lowercase f is the tallest lowercase letter: a loop above the line and another below it. There are second forms of both; the second capital F has a looped top.
Capital F
Tall: baseline to topline.
At the topline, on the stem.
With the midline bar. The pen lifts; the next letter starts on its own.
Lowercase f
Tall, with a tail below the baseline.
At the baseline, on the left.
About halfway up the short letters' height, with a short stroke to the right.
Capital F, second form
An F with a looped top, written top first: a small loop at the top left runs into the wave across the top, the stem comes down from the top stroke, and the bar goes on last.
A little below the topline, on the left, inside the small loop.
With the midline bar. The pen lifts; the next letter starts on its own.
Lowercase f, second form
An f whose lower loop turns forward, to the right, and closes on the stem at the baseline. Both directions are taught. Pick one and keep it.
At the baseline, on the left.
At the baseline, swinging up to the right into the next letter.
Lowercase f needs the full height, from the topline to the descender line. The lower loop turns the opposite way from the upper one, and the join out comes from where that lower loop closes.
Common mistakes with capital F
- The midline bar is left off, so the F reads as a T.
- The bar is drawn too low or too far right, so it looks like a stroke that belongs to the next letter.
- The bottom hook is drawn as a full loop, so the stem looks like a cursive J.
Common mistakes with lowercase f
- The tail stays above the baseline, so the f reads as a b or a p.
- The lower loop does not close against the stem, leaving an open tail.
- Both loops are drawn wide, so the f takes over the space of the letters next to it.
Joining f to other letters
Capital F lifts before the next letter, so start the second letter fresh. Practice the lowercase pairs until each join feels like one movement.
Print a practice sheet for F and f
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.