Handwriting worksheets by grade
The same printables, sorted by the order US schools use them: print and wide lines in kindergarten and 1st grade, cursive from 2nd or 3rd grade, fluency and personal style after that. Pick your child's grade and download what fits.
Kindergarten
Print letters and pencil controlCursive is not taught yet. The useful printable is wide three-line paper for print letters, numbers and the child's name.
See also: Numbers 0 to 9
1st grade
Print fluency, pre-cursive strokesStill print, on slightly narrower lines. Late in the year, rows of undercurves, overcurves and ovals prepare the hand for cursive.
2nd grade
Cursive begins: lowercase lettersMany schools introduce cursive in the second half of 2nd grade, starting with the lowercase letters in stroke groups. Use 3/4 inch ruling.
See also: First year cursive, One-letter worksheets
3rd grade
The full alphabet, capitals, joined wordsThe main cursive year in most curricula. All lowercase and capital letters, the joins, and short words and sentences. Switch to 1/2 inch ruling.
See also: Practice sheets, Cursive words
4th grade
Sentences, speed and legibilityCursive becomes the everyday writing tool. Sentence and paragraph copying, plus themed practice to keep it interesting.
See also: Cursive sentences, Quotes in cursive
5th grade and up
Personal style and free writingStudents write longer pieces in cursive and develop their own hand. Narrow 3/8 inch paper and quotes to copy are the useful printables.
See also: Practice sheets for teens and adults
Grade-level questions
What grade is cursive taught in?
In most US schools that teach cursive, it is introduced in late 2nd grade or in 3rd grade, after print handwriting is fluent, and practiced through 4th and 5th grade. State laws that require cursive generally set 5th grade as the point by which students should write it legibly.
Which line size should each grade use?
A common sequence is 1 inch ruling in kindergarten, 3/4 inch in 1st and 2nd grade, 1/2 inch in 3rd grade and up, and 3/8 inch for older students and adults. If a child struggles, go one size larger.
My child is in 5th grade and never learned cursive. Where do I start?
At the beginning, but faster: the first year cursive starter pack, then the 8-page practice sheets. An older child usually gets through both in three or four weeks with ten minutes a day.