Letter X Formation Worksheet
Trace the capital X and the small x with numbered start points and direction arrows, then write them on your own.
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How to write the letter X
The capital X is written in two strokes, and the small x in two strokes. The worksheet above is already set to this letter. It shows a model of each letter with green numbered start points and red direction arrows, then rows of dotted copies to trace and empty space to write on your own. Change the letter case, the size or the number of rows in the settings.
Capital X
Draw a slanted line from the top left to the bottom right. Lift your pencil and draw another slanted line from the top right to the bottom left, crossing the first line in the middle.
Small x
Draw the same two crossing lines as the capital X, but smaller, between the middle line and the base line.
Teaching tip for X
Diagonal lines are harder for young hands than straight ones, which is why children often write a plus sign (+) before they can write an x. If that happens, go back to slanted lines on the pre-writing sheets and try again in a few weeks. The two lines must cross in the middle.
The sound of X and words to practice
The letter X usually stands for the sound /ks/ as in box (at the beginning of a word, x can sound like /z/, as in xylophone). Words to practice: x-ray, xylophone, box, fox, six, ox. Say each word, listen for the first sound and trace the letter. Try the beginning sounds worksheets to match the sound to pictures, or trace the words themselves with word tracing.
Letters that look alike
The letter X is easy to mix up with Letter Kk and Letter Vv. Practice them on separate days, one at a time, and say the starting point out loud each time before the pencil touches the paper.
More letters
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Frequently asked questions
Where can I find words that begin with x?
Very few English words begin with x, and most of them are rare, such as xylophone and x-ray. Children usually meet x at the end of words, like box, fox and six. For practice, use end-of-word x, and treat xylophone as a fun exception.
Free printable workbooks
Want a planned set instead of a single page? These free PDF workbooks use the same worksheets in a step-by-step order.
ABC Tracing Book
Every letter A to Z with numbered stroke arrows, a picture to color and a word to trace.
Dot Marker Activity Book
Big letters, numbers, shapes and pictures filled with circles for dot markers, stickers or fingertips.
CVC Words Workbook
Read, build, trace and write short a, e, i, o and u words with pictures, sound boxes and sentences.
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Guides for parents and teachers: Letter Formation Order: Which Letters to Teach First · How to Teach a Child to Write Their Name · How to Teach Cursive Handwriting to Kids · Cursive Letters A to Z: A Simple Guide for Kids