Letter Y Formation Worksheet
Trace the capital Y and the small y with numbered start points and direction arrows, then write them on your own.
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How to write the letter Y
The capital Y is written in three strokes, and the small y 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 Y
Start at the top left and slide down to the middle. Lift your pencil, start at the top right and slide down to meet the first line. Then draw a straight line from that point down to the bottom.
Small y
Start at the middle line on the left and slide down to the base line on the right. Then lift your pencil, start at the middle line on the right and slide down to the left, through the base line and into the space below.
Teaching tip for Y
The small y is a "tail" letter, like g, j, p and q, so its long line drops below the base line. Check that the two arms of the capital Y meet at the middle line, and that the stem is straight.
The sound of Y and words to practice
The letter Y usually stands for the sound /y/ as in yo-yo (and also a vowel sound in words like my and happy). Words to practice: yo-yo, yarn, yak, yellow, yawn, yacht. 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 Y is easy to mix up with Letter Vv and Letter Gg. 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
Previous: Letter Xx · Next: Letter Zz · All letters A to Z
Frequently asked questions
Is the letter y a vowel or a consonant?
Both. At the start of a word, as in yes and yellow, y is a consonant that says /y/. In the middle or at the end of a word, as in gym, my and happy, it works as a vowel. While your child is learning to write the letter, start with the consonant sound.
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.
Related worksheet tools
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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