Classroom · Cursive · Letter R

How to write cursive R and r

lowercase r

capital R

A free three-page worksheet: lowercase r and capital R with gray letters to trace that fade out row by row, then 5 words and a sentence for joining r to other letters.

Download the R worksheet(3 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Watch it solved

41 sec · with voice and captions

A pencil works one example of each activity, so you can see how the worksheet goes before you print it. Tap a step to jump to it. The rest of the sheet is left for your child to finish.

Read what the video says

0:00 Let's write R and r in cursive, step by step.
0:04 Watch how to write a cursive r. Follow the numbered steps on the sheet.
0:09 Trace the gray letters. Keep your pencil moving, and join them up.
0:14 Then write your own, next to the colored letter.
0:17 Now the capital R. Trace the gray one, then write your own.
0:22 Join the letters to write words. Read the word, rat, then trace it.
0:27 Trace the sentence: Rabbits run around the red rug.
0:34 Great job! Now print the free worksheet, and finish the rest on your own.

Lowercase r, step by step

1Start on the baseline and swing up a little above the midline.
2Make a small step to the right.
3Slide down to the baseline and finish with a small swing up.

Capital R, step by step

1Start at the top line with a small hook and slide down a slanted stem to the baseline.
2Lift your pencil. Start at the top of the stem and curve right and around to the middle.
3Make a small loop, then kick out down to the baseline with a small swing up.

Watch for: Leaving out the little step at the top, so r looks like i.

Joining: Lowercase r finishes on the baseline with a small swing up, and that swing carries straight on into the next letter.

What the worksheet looks like

Cursive lowercase r tracing worksheet — Page 1: lowercase r, trace and write

Cursive words with r worksheet — Page 3: join r in words and a sentence

Words to practice

r is for rabbit. Read each word, then write it in joined-up cursive.

Rabbits run around the red rug.

Make a tracing sheet from these words in the cursive worksheet generator, or type your own.

Letters written the same way

Undercurve letters

They join on with a swing up (an undercurve) from the baseline, then slide down.

Undercurve-slant capitals

They slide down a slanted stem first, then add the curves.

Common questions

How do you write a cursive r?

1. Start on the baseline and swing up a little above the midline. 2. Make a small step to the right. 3. Slide down to the baseline and finish with a small swing up.

How do you write a capital cursive R?

1. Start at the top line with a small hook and slide down a slanted stem to the baseline. 2. Lift your pencil. Start at the top of the stem and curve right and around to the middle. 3. Make a small loop, then kick out down to the baseline with a small swing up.

Which letters are written like cursive r?

r is one of the undercurve letters, which join on with a swing up (an undercurve) from the baseline, then slide down. The others are i, j, p, s, t, u, w. Practicing them together makes each one easier.

How does cursive r join to the next letter?

Lowercase r finishes on the baseline with a small swing up, and that swing carries straight on into the next letter.