Letter V: Sounds, Words and How to Write It
V is the 22nd letter of the English alphabet. It comes after U and before W. V is a consonant. The capital (uppercase) letter is V and the small (lowercase) letter is v.
How to write it · Sounds · Words · Printable sheet · Quiz · FAQ
Last updated: October 2026
Letter V at a Glance
| Position | 22nd of 26 letters |
|---|---|
| Type | Consonant |
| Uppercase and lowercase | V v |
| Comes between | U and W |
| Main sound | v |
| Strokes to write it | Capital V: 1 · small v: 1 |
How to Write Capital V and Small v
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 V (1 stroke)
- Start at the top on the left. Draw a slanted line down to a point at the bottom.
- Draw a slanted line back up to the top on the right.
Small v (1 stroke)
- Make the same shape, but smaller, between the middle line and the bottom line.
Small v is a short letter: it sits between the dashed middle line and the bottom line, like a, c and o.
Common mix-up: V can be mixed up with U (which has a round bottom) and Y (which has a tail). V has a sharp point at the bottom.
Practice by tracing in the letter tracing game, then on paper with the Alphabet Tracing and Lowercase Letter Tracing worksheets.
Free Printable Letter V 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 V and v alone.
What Sound Does V Make?
- v: made by resting your top teeth on your bottom lip and buzzing, with your voice switched on. Examples: van, vase, violin, five.
Practice the sound with pictures on V is for Van, which shows how to make the sound with your mouth, or match sounds on the Letter Sounds worksheet.
Words That Start With V
V is for Van! Here are more V words:
V also appears in the middle or at the end of words: five, love, seven, river, glove.
Interesting Facts About V
- English words almost never end in V. Words like have, love and give add a silent e after it.
- V and F use the same mouth shape. V uses your voice and F does not.
Quick Quiz: Letter V
Answer each question, then tap it to check.
Which letter comes right before V?
U.
What letter do we usually add after v at the end of a word?
A silent e, as in have and give.
Is the bottom of V pointed or round?
Pointed.
Activities for Parents and Teachers
In the Classroom
Line up chairs to make a pretend van and take turns "driving" while chanting "V is for van!" Then play a short clip of violin music, calling out other V words the class can think of.
At Home
Cut up vegetables together for a snack while saying "V is for vegetable." Afterward, trace the letter V on paper — it's just two straight lines meeting at a point, like a checkmark.
Tips
Parents: If your child mixes up V and F, have them place a finger on their throat — V has a buzzing vibration that F doesn't.
Teachers: V pairs well with a "sounds like a checkmark" visual cue — kids often remember the shape better when it's tied to something familiar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What number letter is V in the alphabet?
V is the 22nd letter of the 26-letter English alphabet. It comes after U and before W.
Is V a vowel or a consonant?
V 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 V make?
V makes this sound: v as in van.
How do you write a small v?
Make the same shape, but smaller, between the middle line and the bottom line. Small v 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 V?
Words that start with V include van, vase, violin, volcano, vegetables, vest.
Why do words like have and give end in e?
English words almost never end in v, so a silent e is added after it. In these words, the e does not make the vowel long.
Summary
V is the 22nd letter of the alphabet and is a consonant. Its main sound is v. Capital V takes 1 stroke and small v takes 1. Next, learn the letter W.