Free printable tracing worksheets as PDF

Tracing Words Worksheets

Type a word list or pick a ready one — each word appears in dotted letters to trace, then copy on its own.

This free tracing words worksheet maker builds printable word tracing sheets, with dotted copies of each word for children to trace. It runs in your web browser with no sign-up, and nothing you type or create is uploaded or sent to a server.

Pick one of the ready word lists, such as short a CVC words, animals, or colour words, or type your own list of words. You can then choose the tracing style, row size, and sheet layout, and see the preview update as you change each setting. Use it for kindergarten tracing words, school spelling practice, or traceable words for a child at home.

When the sheet looks right, print it or download a PDF that prints at true size on US Letter or A4 paper. Each page also has a Name and Date line, and you can edit the title.

How to make tracing words worksheets

  1. Choose a ready list from the dropdown, such as “Short a words (cat, hat, bat)”, or select My own words and type your list, one word per line or separated by commas.
  2. Set the Sheet type. Use Trace and write for one row per word, Word boxes for a grid of boxes, or Trace, copy, write for three columns.
  3. Pick a Row size: Extra large (1 in), Large (3/4 in), Medium (5/8 in), Small (1/2 in), or Extra small (3/8 in).
  4. Set Traced copies in a row and turn Make the first copy solid on or off.
  5. Choose a Tracing style: Dots, Dashes, Grey, or Solid black. Turn Green start dots and Direction arrows on or off.
  6. Set Items per page to “As many as fit” or a fixed number. Select Mix up the order and click New order for a new shuffle.
  7. Choose Paper size, then add a title and turn the Name and Date line on or off.
  8. Click Print to open the browser’s print dialog with only the worksheet pages, Download PDF for a file that prints at true size, or Copy link to copy a link that reopens the same settings.

Every change shows in the preview straight away, so check the layout before you print. Long lists run onto more pages, up to 20.

What are CVC words?

CVC words are three-letter words made of a consonant, a vowel, and a consonant, such as c-a-t, d-o-g, and s-u-n. The middle letter is the vowel, and it makes the word’s main sound. The ready lists here group CVC words by vowel (short a, e, i, o, and u), with 10 words in each group.

Grouping by vowel is a common way to start reading and writing words. Each word sounds out letter by letter, so a child who learns the short a pattern can apply it to cat, hat, bat, and many other words. Tracing these words gives practice with the letter shapes at the same time.

Which words should a kindergartner trace first?

Start with short, familiar words that a child can already say, such as cat, dog, sun, or bed. Words from the everyday lists, like colour words, animals, or family words, also work well because the child knows what they mean. Short CVC words are a good first set because they have only three letters, which keeps each row manageable.

Once a child can trace and say the simple words, move to longer words or to sight words. Keep the list short at first, so the child can finish a full session without losing focus.

A session that is certain to fit is this: trace the solid model with a finger, trace the dotted copies with a pencil, say the word aloud, then write it once alone on the empty row. Repeat this for each word on the sheet.

How the traced letters are formed

The dotted words use school print, the ball-and-stick letters most US schools teach first: straight sticks, round circles, and a single-storey a and g, so the letters on the sheet match what a child sees in class. Each letter is split into its strokes in the usual order, and each stroke is drawn from its starting point, so with Green start dots on the child can see where every stick and circle begins. Sticks start at the top; circles start near the top right and go counter-clockwise, like c. Turn on Direction arrows for a child who still starts letters at the bottom.

Frequently asked questions

How many words should go on one page?

Use “As many as fit” for the most space-efficient layout, or set a fixed number in Items per page if you want fewer words to trace. Smaller row sizes fit more words, while larger rows give a young child more room to trace. Pick the number that matches how much your child can finish in one sitting.

Can I use spelling words from school?

Yes. Select My own words and type the spelling words, one per line or separated by commas. Each word can be up to 30 characters; letters, digits, apostrophes and hyphens are traced, and characters the tracing letters do not include (such as accents or emoji) are left out.

Is it free to print?

Yes. The generator is free, needs no sign-up, and runs in your browser. You can print the sheets directly with the Print button or save a PDF with Download PDF.

Which sheet type works best for a beginner?

Trace and write is the default because each word has a solid model copy, dotted copies to trace, and an empty row to write it alone. Word boxes suits a child who has already learned to trace and is ready to write each word once. Trace, copy, write adds a step where the child writes from memory, so it works better after the child has practised tracing.

Can I save my settings and come back to them?

Yes. Click Copy link to get a link that reopens the same settings, including the word order if you used New order. Save it and open it again whenever you want the same sheet.