How to make name tracing worksheets
- Type a name, or paste your class list with one name per line.
- Choose the letters: as typed, capital first letter, all capitals or all lowercase.
- Choose a letter size. Large suits preschool; medium and small suit kindergarten and Grade 1.
- Click Print / Save as PDF. Every name prints on its own page.
What's on each page
- An example row in solid letters, so children can see how their name should look.
- Tracing rows with dotted letters. Green dots show where each stroke begins.
- Blank rows at the bottom for writing the name without help.
- Four-line handwriting guides: a top line, a dashed middle line, a red baseline and a line for letters that drop below, like g, j, p and y.
Turn on fade out and each tracing row shows a little less of the name, so children rely on the dots less and less.
Tips for teaching children to write their name
- Start with a capital, then lowercase. Most children will see and use their name written this way, so teach it from the start.
- Start at the green dot. Letters formed from the top down are easier to write neatly and quickly later on.
- Trace with a finger first, then a crayon or pencil. Thick crayons and short pencils are easier for small hands to grip.
- Little and often. A few minutes of tracing each day works better than one long session.
- Laminate a page and use a dry-erase marker so children can practise again and again.
More than names
The same tool works for any short word or phrase. Type sight words, spelling words, days of the week or a short sentence to make handwriting practice pages.
Frequently asked questions
Is the name tracing worksheet generator free?
Yes. You can make and print as many name tracing worksheets as you like, without an account.
Can I make name tracing sheets for my whole class?
Yes. Type or paste your class list with one name per line, up to 40 names. Each student gets their own page, and they all print together.
What are the green starting dots?
Each green dot shows where to put the pencil to begin a stroke. Starting in the right place helps children form letters correctly from the beginning.
Should children learn capital or lowercase letters first?
Most teachers teach children to write their name with a capital first letter and lowercase for the rest, because that is how they will see it written. All-capital names are fine for very young children who are just starting.
Can I use names with accents, like Zoé or François?
Yes. Accented letters such as é, è, ê, ë, à, ç and ô are supported, along with hyphens and apostrophes, so names like Marie-Ève and O'Neil work too.
Can I trace words or sentences instead of names?
Yes. Type any short word or phrase, such as sight words or a spelling word, and it will be made into a tracing page the same way.
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