Letter L: Sounds, Words and How to Write It
L is the 12th letter of the English alphabet. It comes after K and before M. L is a consonant. The capital (uppercase) letter is L and the small (lowercase) letter is l.
How to write it · Sounds · Words · Printable sheet · Quiz · FAQ
Last updated: October 2026
Letter L at a Glance
| Position | 12th of 26 letters |
|---|---|
| Type | Consonant |
| Uppercase and lowercase | L l |
| Comes between | K and M |
| Main sounds | l, silent l |
| Strokes to write it | Capital L: 2 · small l: 1 |
How to Write Capital L and Small l
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 L (2 strokes)
- Draw a straight line down.
- Draw a line across the bottom, going right.
Small l (1 stroke)
- Draw one tall straight line from the top line down to the bottom line.
Small l is a tall letter: it reaches up toward the top line, like b, d and h.
Common mix-up: Lowercase l looks like capital I and the number 1. Lowercase l is just one tall line with nothing across.
Practice by tracing in the letter tracing game, then on paper with the Alphabet Tracing and Lowercase Letter Tracing worksheets.
Free Printable Letter L 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 L and l alone.
What Sound Does L Make?
- l: made by touching the tip of your tongue behind your top teeth, with your voice switched on. Examples: lion, leg, lamp, ball.
- silent l: no sound in a few words. Examples: talk, walk, half, could.
Words That Start With L
L is for Lion! Here are more L words:
L also appears in the middle or at the end of words: ball, bell, apple, owl, yellow.
Interesting Facts About L
- L is often doubled at the end of short words, as in ball, bell, hill and doll.
- Lowercase l is the simplest letter to write, just one tall line.
Quick Quiz: Letter L
Answer each question, then tap it to check.
Which letter comes right before L?
K.
Is the l silent in walk or in lion?
In walk.
How many strokes does lowercase l have?
Just one tall line.
Activities for Parents and Teachers
In the Classroom
Have children take turns roaring like a lion while the class chants "L is for lion!" Then go on a short leaf hunt around the classroom or playground, collecting different shapes and sizes.
At Home
Turn on a lamp and talk about how "lamp" starts with the L sound, then look for other L objects around the house together. Afterward, trace the letter L on paper — it's just two simple straight lines.
Tips
Parents: L is one of the easiest letters to trace since it only uses straight lines — a great confidence-builder if your child is just starting handwriting practice.
Teachers: Try holding the L sound out loud ("lllion") so children can hear and feel how it differs from a quick sound like B or D.
Frequently Asked Questions
What number letter is L in the alphabet?
L is the 12th letter of the 26-letter English alphabet. It comes after K and before M.
Is L a vowel or a consonant?
L 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 L make?
L makes these sounds: l as in lion; silent l as in talk.
How do you write a small l?
Draw one tall straight line from the top line down to the bottom line. Small l is a tall letter: it reaches up toward the top line, like b, d and h.
What are some words that start with L?
Words that start with L include lion, leaf, lemon, ladder, lamp, leg.
Why is the L silent in walk and talk?
Hundreds of years ago it was spoken. Pronunciation changed over time, but the spelling stayed the same.
Summary
L is the 12th letter of the alphabet and is a consonant. Its main sounds are l, silent l. Capital L takes 2 strokes and small l takes 1. Next, learn the letter M.