Letter N: Sounds, Words and How to Write It
N is the 14th letter of the English alphabet. It comes after M and before O. N is a consonant. The capital (uppercase) letter is N and the small (lowercase) letter is n.
How to write it · Sounds · Words · Printable sheet · Quiz · FAQ
Last updated: October 2026
Letter N at a Glance
| Position | 14th of 26 letters |
|---|---|
| Type | Consonant |
| Uppercase and lowercase | N n |
| Comes between | M and O |
| Main sounds | n, ng |
| Strokes to write it | Capital N: 2 · small n: 1 |
How to Write Capital N and Small n
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 N (2 strokes)
- Draw a straight line down on the left.
- Go back to the top. Draw a slanted line down to the bottom right.
- Draw a straight line from the bottom right back up to the top.
Small n (1 stroke)
- Draw a short line from the middle line down to the bottom line.
- Go back up and make one hump over and down.
Small n is a short letter: it sits between the dashed middle line and the bottom line, like a, c and o.
Common mix-up: Lowercase n is often mixed up with u (an upside-down n) and with h (which has a tall line). n is short, with one hump on top.
Practice by tracing in the letter tracing game, then on paper with the Alphabet Tracing and Lowercase Letter Tracing worksheets.
Free Printable Letter N 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 N and n alone.
What Sound Does N Make?
- n: a humming sound made with the tip of your tongue behind your top teeth and air coming out of your nose. Examples: nest, nose, net, sun.
- ng: when n and g team up at the end of a word. Examples: sing, ring, king.
Practice the sound with pictures on N is for Notebook, which shows how to make the sound with your mouth, or match sounds on the Letter Sounds worksheet.
Words That Start With N
N is for Nest! Here are more N words:
N also appears in the middle or at the end of words: sun, pen, banana, lion, ant.
Interesting Facts About N
- N is a nasal sound: the air comes out of your nose. Hold your nose gently and try saying nnn.
- N and G together make the ng sound at the end of words like sing and king.
Quick Quiz: Letter N
Answer each question, then tap it to check.
Which letter comes right before N?
M.
How many humps does lowercase n have?
One.
Which letter looks like an upside-down n?
u.
Activities for Parents and Teachers
In the Classroom
Have children touch their own noses while chanting "N is for nose!" Then build a pretend bird's nest together using twigs, yarn, or paper strips, naming other N words along the way.
At Home
Look for a real bird's nest outside, or watch a picture of one, while saying "N is for nest." Afterward, trace the letter N together on paper, pointing out its single connecting diagonal line.
Tips
Parents: If your child mixes up M and N, have them place a finger on their nose or lips while saying each sound — the mouth position for each is noticeably different.
Teachers: N pairs naturally with a nighttime or bedtime theme — night, nest, and nose are all cozy, familiar words for a calm-down activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What number letter is N in the alphabet?
N is the 14th letter of the 26-letter English alphabet. It comes after M and before O.
Is N a vowel or a consonant?
N 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 N make?
N makes these sounds: n as in nest; ng as in sing.
How do you write a small n?
Draw a short line from the middle line down to the bottom line. Go back up and make one hump over and down. Small n 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 N?
Words that start with N include nest, nose, net, nut, nurse, night.
What is the difference between n and h?
Both have one hump, but h starts with a tall line from the top line, while n is a short letter that starts at the middle line.
Summary
N is the 14th letter of the alphabet and is a consonant. Its main sounds are n, ng. Capital N takes 2 strokes and small n takes 1. Next, learn the letter O.