Writing a cursive “i” is one of the simplest letters to learn, making it a great starting point if you’re picking up cursive for the first time or brushing up on rusty skills. Both the lowercase and uppercase versions use just a few basic strokes, but getting the rhythm and proportions right makes a big difference in how your writing looks and flows.
Lowercase Cursive i
The lowercase cursive “i” has four parts: a lead-in stroke, a downstroke, an exit stroke, and a dot. Here’s how to form it step by step.
Start on the baseline (the line your letters sit on) and swing upward to the right, creating a small curved lead-in stroke that rises to about the midline, which is the halfway point between the baseline and the top line. This upswing is the same connector stroke you’ll use to link from a previous letter when writing words.
From the midline, reverse direction and pull your pen straight back down to the baseline. Keep this downstroke fairly straight and vertical. Don’t loop it or curve it. The stroke should retrace or nearly retrace the path of your upswing.
When you reach the baseline, curve slightly to the right into a small tail. This exit stroke sits just above the baseline and serves as the connector to whatever letter comes next. Lift your pen at the end of this tail.
Finally, go back and place a small dot directly above the downstroke, centered at or just above the midline. The dot should float above the letter rather than touching it. Some writers use a tiny dash instead of a round dot, and either is fine. The key is placing it directly over the body of the letter so it reads clearly as an “i” and not a “u” or an “e.”
Uppercase Cursive I
The capital cursive “I” is taller and more decorative, but still relatively simple. It extends from the baseline to the top line (the full height of a capital letter).
Start just below the top line with a small curved stroke that sweeps to the left and then loops back to the right, forming a small flourish at the top. Think of it as a brief counterclockwise loop. From the peak of that loop, pull your pen downward in a long, slightly curved stroke all the way to the baseline. This main stroke should have a gentle slant to the right, consistent with the overall slant of your cursive writing.
At the baseline, curve the stroke to the right into a small finishing loop or tail. This exit stroke connects to the next letter if the capital “I” begins a word. Some styles add a small crossbar or serif at the top and bottom of the main stroke for extra formality, but a clean loop at each end is the most common approach.
Connecting i to Other Letters
Cursive works because letters link together, and the lowercase “i” connects easily in both directions. The lead-in stroke at the beginning naturally picks up from the exit tail of whatever letter came before it. The exit tail at the end flows into the lead-in of the next letter. Because the “i” is short (it only reaches the midline, not the top line), it keeps a low, smooth profile within a word.
One thing to watch for is dotting your i’s at the right time. Most people find it easiest to finish writing the entire word first, then go back to add the dots. Stopping mid-word to dot each “i” breaks your rhythm and can cause awkward spacing. If a word has multiple i’s, dot them all at once after completing the last letter.
Tips for Consistent Practice
Use lined paper with a visible midline, or print cursive practice sheets that show the baseline, midline, and top line. These guides help you keep your letter heights uniform. The lowercase “i” should reach the midline and no higher. If it creeps up toward the top line, it starts looking like a lowercase “l.”
Slant matters. Most cursive styles use a slight rightward slant, typically around 5 to 15 degrees from vertical. Whatever angle you choose, keep it the same across all your letters. An “i” that leans at a different angle from the surrounding letters will look off even if its individual form is correct.
Practice the letter in isolation first, writing several rows of just the lowercase “i” to build muscle memory. Then move to short words that use it frequently: “it,” “in,” “sit,” “hill,” “find.” These give you repetition while also training your hand to connect the “i” smoothly to other common letters. Speed will come naturally once the shape feels automatic. Focus on clean, consistent form first, and write slowly enough that each stroke is deliberate.