Letter U Tracing Worksheets – Free Printable PDF
Free dotted tracing practice for uppercase U and lowercase u — 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 U page! U is the twenty-first letter of the English alphabet and it makes the short vowel sound /u/ you hear at the start of "umbrella", "up" and "under", and its long sound as in "unicorn". The dotted worksheets below give preschool and kindergarten children uppercase U and lowercase u guides to trace, with room to practise each shape on their own.
Uppercase U: Start at the top. Pull a straight line down, curve around the bottom like a smile and pull straight back up to the top line. U is a cup shape with two even sides — like a horseshoe standing tall. Lowercase u: Start just below the top. Pull down to the bottom line, curve into a smile and pull straight back up, ending with a tiny tail down to the bottom line. Lowercase u looks like a small cup. U and V are cousins: U has a rounded bottom while V comes to a sharp point at the bottom. 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 u: umbrella, up, under, uncle. It can also make its long sound, as in unicorn, uniform. 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 U in the air, trace the dotted rows on this sheet, then write one freehand U 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 U?
Always start uppercase U 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 U make?
The letter U makes the short vowel sound /u/ you hear at the start of "umbrella", "up" and "under", and its long sound as in "unicorn". Practise the sound while tracing: say it once for every dotted u your child completes, then try the example words such as umbrella, up, under.
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 u?
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.