Writing Numbers 0 to 9

Numbers you can write

You already know the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. These ten special symbols are called digits, and with just these ten we can write any number in the world!

In this lesson we will learn how to write each one neatly. Good news: every digit is made from simple lines and curves. Once you know where to start, they are easy.

The golden rule: start at the top

Almost every number starts at the top and moves down. If you begin in the right place, the shape comes out neatly. If you start in the wrong place, numbers can come out backwards or wobbly.

So before each digit, find the top, put your pencil there, and go.

A rhyme for every digit

Little sayings make number formation fun and easy to remember. Say the rhyme out loud as you write!

Digit	How it looks	A handy rhyme
0	A round circle	Around and around, back to the start.
1	One straight line down	Start at the top, straight line down.
2	A curve, then a flat foot	Around and back, then a line across.
3	Two bumps facing left	Around the tree, around again.
4	A corner and a line	Down, across, then a line straight down.
5	A line, a belly, a hat	Down, around, then a hat on top.
6	A curve into a loop	Slide down and curl into a loop.
7	Across, then a slant	Across the top, then slant down low.
8	Two circles stacked	Make an S, then loop back up — an eight!
9	A loop and a tail	A little loop, then a line straight down.

Worked example 1: writing 1

Put your pencil at the top. Pull a single straight line down to the bottom. That is it — the number 1 is the simplest of all! Some people add a tiny flick at the top, but a plain line down is fine.

Worked example 2: writing 0

Start near the top. Go around to the left, all the way down, around the bottom, and back up to where you started. You have drawn one neat circle: 0. Zero means none — an empty, round shape.

Worked example 3: writing 8

The number 8 has two circles. Start at the top and curve down to the left like the letter S, then loop back up the other way to close two circles, one stacked on the other. Trace it slowly until your hand learns the path.

Watch out for backwards numbers

Some digits are easy to write the wrong way round, especially 2, 5, 7, 3 and 9. They have curves that must face the right direction. If a number looks "backwards", check: did you start at the top, and did the curve go the way the rhyme says? Slowing down fixes most mistakes.

Why writing numbers matters

Saying and counting numbers is wonderful, but you also need to write them to record your math. Neat digits mean your sums are easy to read and you make fewer mistakes. This skill grows with you, all the way to long sums and big numbers.

Once you can write the digits 0 to 9, you can write every number, because larger numbers just use these same ten digits in different places. Explore that idea in our lesson on place value with tens and ones.

Try it yourself

Practise in lots of fun ways, from big to small:

1. Air writing: Draw each number BIG in the air with your whole arm, saying the rhyme.
2. Sand or salt: Trace numbers with your finger in a tray of sand, salt or flour.
3. Big paper: Write giant numbers on a large sheet, then smaller ones underneath.
4. Dotted numbers: Have a grown-up draw dotted numbers for you to trace over.
5. Challenge: Write the numbers 0 to 9 in order without peeking. Which one is your neatest?

Practise a little each day. Soon your numbers will look clear and confident!

What's next?

Now that you can write digits, put them to use by counting and ordering numbers in our lesson on counting to 10.