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Cursive 8: How to Write Eight in Cursive
8
8 in cursive · 1 (no pencil lift) · free tracing worksheet
Cursive 8 is the number eight written as one continuous figure-eight stroke, with a slightly smaller loop on top and a fuller loop below. It is the digit that most rewards a relaxed hand. Learn the smooth, single-stroke method step by step below.
The figure-eight shape of this digit settled early and has stayed remarkably stable, as the history of the number 8 shows. Many children first draw eight as two circles stacked on top of each other, but cursive 8 is written in one flowing S-shaped path that crosses itself in the middle. That single movement is faster, smoother and looks far more natural next to cursive letters than two stacked circles ever could.
At a glanceCursive 8 Quick Facts
Strokes
1 (no pencil lift)
Start here
Just below the top line, on the right side
Height
Top line to baseline (full height)
Don’t confuse with
The number 3, the letter S and the letter B.
How to Write 8 in Cursive Step by Step
- Start at the Top Right: Place the pencil just below the top line on the right. Curve up and to the left, then down across the middle of the digit, making the top half of an S.
- Curve Around the Bottom: Continue down to the right, round along the baseline and up the left side, completing a full lower loop.
- Cross Back to the Start: Travel up through the center, crossing your earlier stroke at the midline, and finish by closing the top loop at the starting point.
Make the top loop a little smaller than the bottom loop. Like a snowman, an eight with a bigger base looks stable on the line, while equal or top-heavy loops make it look ready to tip over. The crossing point should sit right on the midline.
Free printableFree Cursive 8 Tracing Worksheet
Cursive 8 Tracing Sheet (PDF)
The cursive 8 tracing sheet fits on one US Letter page and prints cleanly in black and white. It starts with a large model of the digit and a numbered arrow that shows where the pen begins, then a row of 8s that fade from solid to light gray, a row of dotted 8s to trace, blank handwriting lines, and two rows of the word “Eight” to copy and trace.
Use it in three passes: trace the dotted row, copy the digit on the blank lines without tracing, then write 8 in cursive from memory. The dashed midline shows where the curves should turn, so keep an eye on it while you work.
Cursive 8 vs Print 8
A printed 8 is often drawn as two separate circles, one on top of the other, standing upright. Cursive 8 is one stroke, crosses itself in the middle, leans to the right and has a smaller top loop than bottom loop.
The two-circle habit is the main thing to unlearn. Stacked circles leave visible joins and rarely line up, while the single-stroke cursive 8 is naturally balanced. If an eight looks like a snowman made of separate balls, it is time to switch to the figure-eight path.
Avoid mix-upsCommon Mistakes With Cursive 8
| Mistake | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| Drawing two separate circles | Stacked circles look printed and uneven. Use one continuous figure-eight stroke. |
| Equal or larger top loop | A big top makes cursive 8 top-heavy. Keep the bottom loop fuller. |
| Leaving a gap at the top | If the stroke does not return to its start, the eight looks like an S. Close the top loop. |
| Crossing too high or too low | The crossing point belongs on the midline. Anywhere else and the loops become unbalanced. |
| Pressing too hard | Heavy pressure makes the curves stiff. Hold the pencil loosely and let the stroke flow. |
Variations of Cursive 8
Writing the 8 as two circles is a common shortcut, but it looks broken in cursive. The single crossing stroke is the standard school form.
Beyond digitsHow to Write Eight in Cursive
The word “eight” mixes small and tall letters: e and i stay small, g drops below the baseline with a lower loop, h climbs to the top line with an upper loop, and t is crossed at the end. It is excellent practice for moving smoothly between the three zones of cursive handwriting.
If any letter in these words feels unfamiliar, practice it first in the cursive alphabet guides, then come back to the full word.
Everyday uses8 in Cursive: Dates, Times and Prices
Eight appears in dates such as the 8th or August 8, in times like 8:08, in prices such as $8.80 and in years like 2028. Because its loops are close to those of 0, 6 and 9, a well-formed eight makes the whole number easier to read.
In numbers like 88 or 808, keep each eight the same height as the digits around it. Eights are easy to write too large, which makes them dominate a number. To preview any date or amount in several cursive styles before writing it by hand, type it into our cursive generator.
10 minutes a day10-Minute Practice Routine for Cursive 8
Ten focused minutes a day for one week is enough to make cursive 8 feel automatic. Use the worksheet above or a lined notebook, and keep the pace slow until the shape is steady.
- Warm-up (2 minutes): trace the infinity sign sideways a few times, then stand it upright and draw a row of S-curves that loop back to close.
- Trace (2 minutes): trace one full row of dotted 8s on the worksheet, starting every digit at the top line.
- Copy (3 minutes): write the digit on blank lines beside the model, checking height and slant after every three or four digits.
- Use it (2 minutes): write the word “eight” and a few real numbers that contain 8, such as 18, 88, 800 and 2008.
- Check (1 minute): compare your last row with your first. Is the top loop smaller than the bottom loop in every eight? Does every crossing point sit on the midline?
Teaching Cursive 8 to Children
Children usually find it easiest to learn cursive 8 after they can print the digit confidently. Show the movement slowly first, then let the child trace the dotted digits on the worksheet with a finger before using a pencil. Keep each session short and finish while the child is still enjoying it.
Praise the right things: a start at the top line, a steady slant and a digit that sits on the baseline. Those three habits matter more than perfect curves, and once they are in place the shape improves on its own. Adults can follow the same order, simply moving through it faster.
Keep goingPractice Cursive 8 With the Other Numbers
Cursive 8 combines the oval of 0 with the curves of 3 and 5. Practice it alongside those digits, and especially next to 6 and 9, which share its loops. The chart below shows all ten digits side by side, so you can check that your 8 matches the height and slant of its neighbors.
Cursive 8: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write 8 in cursive?
Start below the top line on the right, curve up and left, sweep down across the middle, round the bottom loop, then travel back up through the center to close the top loop. Cursive 8 is one continuous stroke.
Should cursive 8 be two circles?
No. Two stacked circles is a print habit. Cursive 8 is a single figure-eight stroke that crosses itself at the midline.
Why does my cursive 8 look lopsided?
Usually because the loops are the same size or the top is bigger. Make the top loop slightly smaller and cross exactly on the midline.
Is cursive 8 the hardest number?
It is one of the harder ones because the stroke changes direction several times. A few minutes of S-curve warm-ups make it much easier.
How do you write the word eight in cursive?
Write e and i, drop the g below the baseline, climb into the tall h, finish with t, then cross the t and dot the i.
Can kids write cursive 8 in one stroke?
Yes, once they are comfortable with S-curves. Let them trace the dotted eights on the worksheet first, following the arrows of the movement with a finger.
Ready for 9?
keep goingMove on to the next digit, or go back to the hub for the full 0–9 chart and worksheets.