Long Ladder Letters: How To Form l i t u j y
The long ladder letters are l, i, t, u, j and y. Each one starts at the top and goes straight down, like climbing down a ladder. Press play to watch them formed, with the dots and crosses added last, then try the start-dot quiz.
On this page
Play The Long Ladder Letters
Tap Where It Starts
Tap or click where this letter starts. The letter then writes itself from the right spot.
What Are Long Ladder Letters?
Long ladder letters are the letter family that starts with a straight line down. BBC Bitesize describes them as letters "known for their straight lines".
They are often taught first because a straight line is the simplest movement for a child's pencil to make. One of the four letter families, they are the easiest place to begin.
Which Letters Are Long Ladder Letters?
There are six: l, i, t, u, j, y.
The letter l is a single straight line. The letters i and j add a dot, t adds a cross, and u and y go back up for a second line.
How Do You Form Each Long Ladder Letter?
Each one starts by going straight down. What happens after that differs.
| Letter | Start | Then | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| l | The top line | Straight down to the base line | Starting at the bottom |
| i | The middle line | Straight down, then lift and dot | Putting the dot on first |
| t | The top line, lower than l | Straight down, then lift and cross at the middle line | Making t as tall as l |
| u | The middle line | Down, curve round at the base, back up, then down again | Missing the second downstroke |
| j | The middle line | Straight down below the line, curl left, then dot | The tail curling right |
| y | The middle line | Like u, then down below the line with a tail that curls left | The tail curling right |
The height guide on the tool shows how t sits below l: a tall letter reaches the top line, and t stops a little short of it.
What Mistakes Do Children Make With Long Ladder Letters?
- Starting at the bottom. A ladder letter is drawn downwards, not up.
- Adding the dot or cross first. Form the stem, then lift and add the dot or cross.
- Making t as tall as l. The two are different heights.
- Leaving out the second stroke of u and y. The u has two downstrokes with a curve between them.
Tall letters and tails: ascenders and descenders.
Do All Schemes Put The Same Letters In This Family?
No. BBC Bitesize lists l, i, t, u, j and y as ladder letters. The DfE writing framework groups i, l, t, k and j together, and puts u and y with v, w and f. Some programmes treat k as a straight-line letter because it starts with a straight line down.
| Letter | BBC Bitesize | DfE writing framework |
|---|---|---|
| u, y | Long ladder | Grouped with v, w and f |
| k | One-armed robot | Grouped with i, l, t and j |
What Comes Next After Long Ladder Letters?
Many classes go to the one-armed robot letters next, because they start with the same straight line down. The other families are curly caterpillar letters and zig-zag monster letters. Joins come later; see handwriting joins.
Questions About Long Ladder Letters
Why Are They Called Long Ladder Letters?
The name describes the straight lines. Each letter starts like a ladder, straight down.
Is There A Free Ladder Letters Worksheet?
Yes. Make one with the worksheet generator, in print or your school's style, with start dots and arrows.
Which Ladder Letters Go Below The Line?
j and y. Their tails drop below the base line.
Is There A Ladder Letters Font?
Fonts show the finished shape, not where the pencil starts or the order of the strokes. For teaching, use stroke-by-stroke animation and printed sheets that match it.