Letter M: Sounds, Words and How to Write It
M is the 13th letter of the English alphabet. It comes after L and before N. M is a consonant. The capital (uppercase) letter is M and the small (lowercase) letter is m.
How to write it · Sounds · Words · Printable sheet · Quiz · FAQ
Last updated: October 2026
Letter M at a Glance
| Position | 13th of 26 letters |
|---|---|
| Type | Consonant |
| Uppercase and lowercase | M m |
| Comes between | L and N |
| Main sound | m |
| Strokes to write it | Capital M: 3 · small m: 1 |
How to Write Capital M and Small m
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 M (3 strokes)
- Draw a straight line down on the left.
- Go back to the top. Draw a slanted line down to the middle.
- Draw a slanted line back up to the top right.
- Draw a straight line down on the right.
Small m (1 stroke)
- Draw a short line from the middle line down to the bottom line.
- Go back up, make a hump over and down.
- Go back up again and make a second hump over and down.
Small m is a short letter: it sits between the dashed middle line and the bottom line, like a, c and o.
Common mix-up: M and W are upside-down versions of each other, and lowercase m can be mixed up with n. Count the humps: m has two, n has one.
Practice by tracing in the letter tracing game, then on paper with the Alphabet Tracing and Lowercase Letter Tracing worksheets.
Free Printable Letter M 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 M and m alone.
What Sound Does M Make?
- m: a humming sound made with your lips closed and air coming out of your nose. Examples: moon, mouse, milk, drum.
Practice the sound with pictures on M is for Mug, which shows how to make the sound with your mouth, or match sounds on the Letter Sounds worksheet.
Words That Start With M
M is for Moon! Here are more M words:
M also appears in the middle or at the end of words: drum, lemon, hammer, jam, camel.
Interesting Facts About M
- M and N are nasal sounds: the air comes out of your nose. Hold your nose and try to say mmm and you will feel the difference.
- The letter M comes from an ancient symbol for water, and its zigzag shape still looks like waves.
Quick Quiz: Letter M
Answer each question, then tap it to check.
Which letter comes right after M?
N.
How many humps does lowercase m have?
Two.
Which capital letter looks like an upside-down M?
W.
Activities for Parents and Teachers
In the Classroom
Pour small cups of milk for a snack while chanting "M is for milk!" Then pretend to climb a mountain by marching in place, calling out other M words the class can think of.
At Home
Look at the moon together at night (or a picture during the day) while saying "M is for moon." Afterward, trace the letter M on paper, pointing out its two connected humps.
Tips
Parents: M is a great confidence-builder since it's one of the physically easiest sounds to make — most children can already say it before they start formal letter learning.
Teachers: Pair M with a taste-test activity using milk or mango — hands-on food experiences make the letter stick.
Frequently Asked Questions
What number letter is M in the alphabet?
M is the 13th letter of the 26-letter English alphabet. It comes after L and before N.
Is M a vowel or a consonant?
M 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 M make?
M makes this sound: m as in moon.
How do you write a small m?
Draw a short line from the middle line down to the bottom line. Go back up, make a hump over and down. Go back up again and make a second hump over and down. Small m is a short letter: it sits between the dashed middle line and the bottom line, like a, c and o.
What are some words that start with M?
Words that start with M include moon, mouse, monkey, milk, mango, mitten.
Why is M a good first sound for babies and toddlers?
It is made with the lips, which children can see and copy easily, and it can be held for a long time. That is why mama is one of the first words many babies say.
Summary
M is the 13th letter of the alphabet and is a consonant. Its main sound is m. Capital M takes 3 strokes and small m takes 1. Next, learn the letter N.