Letter O Tracing Worksheets – Free Printable PDF
Free dotted tracing practice for uppercase O and lowercase o — perfect for preschool and kindergarten handwriting lessons.
Trace the dashed letters with a pencil or crayon, following the dots from left to right.
Welcome to the letter O page! O is the fifteenth letter of the English alphabet and it makes the short vowel sound /o/ you hear at the start of "octopus", "ox" and "olive", and its long sound as in "open". The dotted worksheets below give preschool and kindergarten children uppercase O and lowercase o guides to trace, with room to practise each shape on their own.
Uppercase O: Start at the top. Curve around to the left, down to the bottom line, around the right and back up to meet the start. O is a full round oval — imagine a wheel or a ring. Close it completely with no gaps. Lowercase o: Make the same round oval, smaller, sitting on the bottom line. Lowercase o fits neatly between the lines like a tiny wheel. For a round O, children often start at the bottom and draw it backwards. Always start at the top and curve counter-clockwise first. The dotted guides on the sheet show the starting point, so your child can focus on one careful stroke at a time.
Words that begin with o: octopus, ox, olive, otter. It can also make its long sound, as in open, ocean. Say each word slowly and listen for the vowel sound at the very start, then trace the letter again while saying the sound aloud.
Five focused minutes is plenty for a young writer: warm up with a big O in the air, trace the dotted rows on this sheet, then write one freehand O on the blank line. Short, happy sessions build far more skill than one long weekly struggle.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct way to start writing the letter O?
Always start uppercase O at the top and pull the strokes downwards instead of pushing them up. The dotted guides on this worksheet show the starting point, and tracing them slowly teaches the correct pencil path from the very first attempt.
What sound does the letter O make?
The letter O makes the short vowel sound /o/ you hear at the start of "octopus", "ox" and "olive", and its long sound as in "open". Practise the sound while tracing: say it once for every dotted o your child completes, then try the example words such as octopus, ox, olive.
How old should a child be before tracing letters?
Most children are ready to trace big letters between three and a half and five years old, once they can hold a thick crayon and copy a vertical line. Start with uppercase letters and short, five-minute sessions, and switch to lowercase once the capitals feel comfortable.
How many minutes a day should we practise letter o?
Three to five focused minutes a day beats a long weekly session. Trace one dotted row, add one sky-writing pass and stop while it is still fun. Regular short practice builds handwriting far faster than occasional long drills.