Alphabet Atlas
top linemidlinebaselinedescender 1

Print e

In print, the lowercase letter e takes 1 stroke and is a short letter that sits between the baseline and the midline. Print letters (also called manuscript) are built from straight lines and circles, drawn top to bottom and left to right, with a lift of the pencil between strokes. This is the order most kindergarten and first-grade programs teach, so it is a good model for a child who is just starting. In English text e is the number 1 most common letter, at about 12.7% of all letters, so it comes up in nearly every line you write.

A small loop that opens at the midline: up, loop left, and out. Keep the loop open so it does not fill with ink.

Stroke by stroke

  1. Start just below the dashed midline at the left side. Sweep across to the right and make a loop that crosses your own line, ending on the baseline at the right side.

Print a practice sheet

Common mistakes

Filling the loop, which makes it look like an i or an l.

e is most often confused with i. Put them side by side and check the first stroke: the starting point and the height are what separate them.

Words with e to practise

eat
egg
red
sea

Practice

Trace on screen first: press Trace it above and follow the grey letter. Then print the sheet and write the same letter on paper. Writing on paper is what builds the habit.

Open the worksheet

Words with e to practise

eat
egg
red
sea
yes
blue
cake
game

Questions about print lowercase e

How many strokes is the lowercase letter e in print writing?

1 stroke. Keep going without lifting unless the instructions say so.

Where do I start e in print?

Start just below the dashed midline at the left side. Sweep across to the right and make a loop that crosses your own line, ending on the baseline at the right side.

Is print e the same in every school?

Most programs agree on the shape, but some teach the stroke order differently. This page follows one common top-to-bottom, left-to-right order and says so, so if your school's handbook differs, follow the handbook.

What letter is e confused with?

e is most often confused with i. Put them side by side and check the first stroke: the starting point and the height are what separate them.

Can I print a practice sheet for e?

Yes. Open the worksheet maker, type eee or a whole word, pick a line size, and print. The sheet has a dark model row, grey tracing rows, dotted rows and blank lines.