Letter Z
Z is a consonant. It says zzz, as in Zebra.
The zebra is at the zoo.
In the UK, Z is called "zed". In the US it is called "zee". The sound, "zzz", is the same.
Words that start with Z
Tap a picture to hear the word.
How to write Z
Draw a line across the top, slide diagonally down to the bottom left, then draw a line across the bottom. Z is a lightning bolt.
Shape in short: Horizontal top bar, diagonal slash down-left, horizontal bottom bar.
Practise tracingFind every Z and z
Tap the letters that match. Careful, some look alike!
Find 4 letters to win.
Watch out!
Z and S look alike. Z is all straight lines, S is all curves.
Fun fact
Z is the last letter of the alphabet, and the "zzz" sound is a buzzing bee.
Quick quiz
Secret codes for Z
For big kids who love puzzles.
Teaching the letter Z
Objective: children can name Z and z, say its sound (zzz, as in Zebra), form it correctly and spot it in words.
- Say it: show the letter, say its sound clearly and have children copy you. Use the sound, not the name, to start.
- Hear it: say the words zebra, zoo, zip, zero. Children clap when they hear the sound at the start.
- See it: point out the capital and small partner, Zz.
- Write it: model the strokes in the air, then on paper. Draw a line across the top, slide diagonally down to the bottom left, then draw a line across the bottom. Z is a lightning bolt.
- Use it: read the sentence together: "The zebra is at the zoo."
Common mix-ups
Z and S look alike. Z is all straight lines, S is all curves.
Support and stretch
- Support: use sand or a finger on the table before pencil.
- Stretch: ask for a new word that begins with Z in it, or spot Z in a sentence.
Curriculum links (best guesses, please check)
- UK: Letters and Sounds, Phase 3. EYFS Literacy: word reading and writing.
- US: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.K.1.D (name upper and lowercase letters) and RF.K.3.A (letter-sound correspondence).
Phonics order varies between schools and schemes. Match it to yours.
Helping at home with Z
Your child is learning to recognise Z and z, hear the sound zzz, as in Zebra, and write the letter. Little and often works best: 5 to 10 minutes is plenty.
Say it the way school does
Teachers use pure sounds, so try not to add "uh" on the end. Say zzz, as in Zebra as short and crisp as you can.
Five easy ideas
- Go on a letter hunt: spot Z on cereal boxes, signs and books.
- Write Z in a tray of rice, sand or shaving foam.
- Make it with play dough or draw it huge with chalk outside.
- Find things that start with Z in the name: zebra, zoo, zip, zero.
- Read "The zebra is at the zoo." together and let your child point to the Z.
If your child mixes up letters that look alike, that is very normal at this age. Z and S look alike. Z is all straight lines, S is all curves.
Questions about the letter Z
What sound does the letter Z make?
The letter Z makes the sound zzz, as in Zebra. Try saying it with a friend, then find three things in the room that start with that sound.
How do you write the letter Z?
Draw a line across the top, slide diagonally down to the bottom left, then draw a line across the bottom. Z is a lightning bolt.
What words start with Z?
Some easy words that start with Z are zebra, zoo, zip, zero. The zebra is at the zoo.
Is Z a vowel or a consonant?
Z is a consonant. The consonants are all the letters except A, E, I, O and U.