Watch & Learn
See exactly how cursive q is formed, stroke by stroke.
How to write the lowercase letter "q" in cursive
How to Write Cursive q
Stroke Instructions
Start just below the midline and make a counter-clockwise oval (like a cursive 'a'). From the right side of the oval, bring the stroke straight down below the baseline. Make a small loop to the right at the bottom of the descender, then bring the stroke back up, finishing with an exit stroke to the right near the baseline.
Tips for Success
- The oval part looks just like a cursive 'a' or 'g'
- The descender is similar to 'g' but the loop direction may differ in some styles
- In D'Nealian style, the descender loops to the right
- Always follow with 'u' — q is almost never written alone
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing the loop direction with other descender letters
- Making the oval too small or misshapen
- The descender being inconsistent with other descender letters
Practice Worksheets
Download and print this free worksheet to practice writing cursive q.

Lowercase q Worksheet
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