Letter D: Sounds, Words and How to Write It
D is the fourth letter of the English alphabet. It comes after C and before E. D is a consonant. The capital (uppercase) letter is D and the small (lowercase) letter is d.
How to write it · Sounds · Words · Printable sheet · Quiz · FAQ
Last updated: October 2026
Letter D at a Glance
| Position | 4th of 26 letters |
|---|---|
| Type | Consonant |
| Uppercase and lowercase | D d |
| Comes between | C and E |
| Main sounds | d, t sound in -ed |
| Strokes to write it | Capital D: 2 · small d: 2 |
How to Write Capital D and Small d
Follow the numbers: start each stroke at its numbered dot and move in the direction of the arrow. The blue top line, dashed middle line and red bottom line match the lines on handwriting paper.
Capital D (2 strokes)
- Start at the top. Draw a straight line down.
- Go back to the top. Draw a big curve out to the right and back to the bottom of the line.
Small d (2 strokes)
- Start just below the middle line. Make a small c-shaped circle.
- Then draw a tall straight line from the top line down to the bottom line on the right.
Small d is a tall letter: it reaches up toward the top line, like b, d and h.
Common mix-up: d is often mixed up with b. Remember that d starts with a circle (like c) and then adds a tall line.
Practice by tracing in the letter tracing game, then on paper with the Alphabet Tracing and Lowercase Letter Tracing worksheets.
Free Printable Letter D Tracing Sheet
Print this one-page sheet for practice at home or in class. Each row starts with a solid model letter, followed by dotted letters to trace, then empty lines to write D and d alone.
What Sound Does D Make?
- d: made by tapping your tongue behind your top teeth, with your voice switched on. Examples: dog, duck, bed, red.
- t sound in -ed: the ending -ed sometimes sounds like t. Examples: jumped, walked, helped.
Words That Start With D
D is for Dog! Here are more D words:
D also appears in the middle or at the end of words: bed, red, ladder, cloud, hand.
Interesting Facts About D
- D and T are made in the same place in the mouth. D uses your voice and T does not.
- The letter D comes from an ancient symbol for a door.
Quick Quiz: Letter D
Answer each question, then tap it to check.
Which letter comes right before D?
C.
Does lowercase d start with a tall line or a circle?
A circle. Then it adds a tall line on the right.
What sound does the -ed make in jumped: d or t?
t. Say it slowly: jump-t.
Activities for Parents and Teachers
In the Classroom
Beat a toy drum together while chanting "D is for drum!" Then take turns waddling like a duck across the room, calling out other D words the class can think of along the way.
At Home
Practice opening and closing a real door while saying "D is for door." Then trace the letter D on paper, pointing out how the curve of the letter matches the curve of a doorknob.
Tips
Parents: If your child mixes up B and D, practice them on separate days rather than side by side — the mirror-image shapes are easier to tell apart once each one is familiar on its own.
Teachers: Letter D pairs well with animal sounds — a duck's quack is a fun, memorable hook for the letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What number letter is D in the alphabet?
D is the fourth letter of the 26-letter English alphabet. It comes after C and before E.
Is D a vowel or a consonant?
D is a consonant. All letters except the vowels A, E, I, O and U are consonants (Y can be both).
What sound does the letter D make?
D makes these sounds: d as in dog; t sound in -ed as in jumped.
How do you write a small d?
Start just below the middle line. Make a small c-shaped circle. Then draw a tall straight line from the top line down to the bottom line on the right. Small d is a tall letter: it reaches up toward the top line, like b, d and h.
What are some words that start with D?
Words that start with D include dog, duck, door, dinosaur, drum, doll.
What is the difference between b and d?
They are mirror images. Lowercase d starts with a circle and then a tall line on the right, while b starts with a tall line and then a bump on the right.
Summary
D is the fourth letter of the alphabet and is a consonant. Its main sounds are d, t sound in -ed. Capital D takes 2 strokes and small d takes 2. Next, learn the letter E.