Letter W: Sounds, Words and How to Write It
W is the 23rd letter of the English alphabet. It comes after V and before X. W is a consonant. The capital (uppercase) letter is W and the small (lowercase) letter is w.
How to write it · Sounds · Words · Printable sheet · Quiz · FAQ
Last updated: October 2026
Letter W at a Glance
| Position | 23rd of 26 letters |
|---|---|
| Type | Consonant |
| Uppercase and lowercase | W w |
| Comes between | V and X |
| Main sounds | w, wh, silent w |
| Strokes to write it | Capital W: 1 · small w: 1 |
How to Write Capital W and Small w
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 W (1 stroke)
- Start at the top on the left. Draw a slanted line down.
- Draw a slanted line up to the middle.
- Draw a slanted line down again.
- Draw a slanted line up to the top on the right.
Small w (1 stroke)
- Make the same zigzag shape, but smaller, between the middle line and the bottom line.
Small w is a short letter: it sits between the dashed middle line and the bottom line, like a, c and o.
Common mix-up: W is an upside-down M. Remember W starts with a line going down.
Practice by tracing in the letter tracing game, then on paper with the Alphabet Tracing and Lowercase Letter Tracing worksheets.
Free Printable Letter W 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 W and w alone.
What Sound Does W Make?
- w: made by rounding your lips like you are about to blow out a candle, with your voice switched on. Examples: wolf, web, window, worm.
- wh: in many question words. Examples: what, when, where, whale.
- silent w: no sound before r and in a few words. Examples: write, wrist, two, sword.
Practice the sound with pictures on W is for Wolf, which shows how to make the sound with your mouth, or match sounds on the Letter Sounds worksheet.
Words That Start With W
W is for Wolf! Here are more W words:
W also appears in the middle or at the end of words: owl, cow, snow, flower, sandwich.
Interesting Facts About W
- W is called "double U" because it was originally written as two Us (or two Vs) side by side.
- Many question words start with wh: what, when, where, which and why.
Quick Quiz: Letter W
Answer each question, then tap it to check.
Which letter comes right after W?
X.
Is the w silent in write or in wolf?
In write.
Which capital letter looks like an upside-down W?
M.
Activities for Parents and Teachers
In the Classroom
Splash hands in a bowl of water while chanting "W is for water!" Then pretend to swim like whales around the room, calling out other W words along the way.
At Home
Look out a window together and describe what you see while saying "W is for window." Afterward, trace the letter W on paper, counting its four connected slanted lines.
Tips
Parents: W can be tricky to write since it has four connected strokes — let your child practice each "V" shape separately before joining them.
Teachers: W pairs naturally with water play, a favorite sensory activity that reinforces the letter through a hands-on, memorable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What number letter is W in the alphabet?
W is the 23rd letter of the 26-letter English alphabet. It comes after V and before X.
Is W a vowel or a consonant?
W 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 W make?
W makes these sounds: w as in wolf; wh as in what; silent w as in write.
How do you write a small w?
Make the same zigzag shape, but smaller, between the middle line and the bottom line. Small w 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 W?
Words that start with W include wolf, whale, watermelon, window, worm, web.
Why is W called double U?
Long ago it was written as two U or V shapes joined together, and in English the name double U stuck.
Summary
W is the 23rd letter of the alphabet and is a consonant. Its main sounds are w, wh, silent w. Capital W takes 1 stroke and small w takes 1. Next, learn the letter X.