Free original lessons
Draw the Letter T: Block and Serif Stroke Order
Learn to construct a capital T in block and serif styles using clear stroke order, proportion guides, and a simple convention for checking shape.
Free lesson
Four exercises
Worked answers
Object Drawing Lessons
This lesson teaches you to draw a capital letter T in two styles: block (plain, even strokes) and serif (with small finishing strokes at the ends). You will use a defined convention for height and width so that your work can be checked fairly, while still allowing personal lettering style. All measurements are hypothetical examples; measure your own paper and tools before drawing. The focus is only on the letter T, not other letters or words.
Practice materials: Printable downloads are not available for this lesson yet. Use the instructions and four exercises below.
Set a simple drawing convention
Use a baseline (the line letters sit on) and a midline (the top of the letter body). The distance from baseline to midline is the x-height. For this lesson, a hypothetical x-height of 20 mm is used in examples; choose a comfortable size for your paper and note it.
Define the T width as the length of the top horizontal stroke. A common proportion is width equal to x-height, but letter styles vary. Decide your width before drawing and keep it consistent within one style.
Use a light pencil for guide lines and a darker pencil or pen for final strokes. Keep units consistent: if you measure in millimetres, record all lengths in millimetres.
- Draw a baseline and a midline 20 mm apart (hypothetical example).
- Mark the left and right ends of the top stroke so the width equals your chosen value.
- Mark the centre point of the top stroke; the vertical stem will meet there.
Block T stroke order
The block T uses two main strokes: a horizontal top stroke and a vertical stem. Draw the top stroke first so the stem can be centred accurately.
Keep stroke thickness even. The stem should be straight and meet the top stroke at its centre. The bottom of the stem sits on the baseline.
- Draw the top horizontal stroke from left to right between your two end marks.
- Find the centre of the top stroke and draw a light vertical guide down to the baseline.
- Draw the vertical stem from the top stroke down to the baseline, keeping it straight.
- Erase guide lines and check that the stem is centred and the top stroke is level.
Serif T stroke order
The serif T adds small finishing strokes (serifs) at the ends of the top stroke and at the bottom of the stem. Serifs are optional in style and size; define your serif length before drawing, for example 3 mm (hypothetical).
Draw the main strokes first, then add serifs. Serifs should be symmetrical and should not change the overall width or height beyond your chosen limits.
- Draw the top horizontal stroke and the centred vertical stem as in the block T.
- Add a short downward serif at the left end of the top stroke and a matching one at the right end.
- Add a short horizontal serif at the bottom of the stem, centred on the stem.
- Check symmetry: left and right serifs should be equal in length; the bottom serif should extend equally on both sides of the stem.
Check your T against the convention
Use a ruler to check height, width, and centring. Small differences are acceptable if they are consistent and intentional. The rubric below allows valid alternatives such as a narrower width or shorter serifs, as long as you state your chosen values.
Record your chosen x-height, width, and serif length at the top of your page so the drawing can be checked against your own stated convention.
- Measure the stem height from baseline to midline; compare with your stated x-height.
- Measure the top stroke width; compare with your stated width.
- Check that the stem meets the top stroke at its centre within a small tolerance you define, for example 1 mm (hypothetical).
- For serif style, measure left and right serifs and confirm they match your stated serif length.
Worked example
Draw a block T with x-height 20 mm and width 20 mm. State the stroke order and check centring.
Worked answer
Draw a baseline and midline 20 mm apart. Mark left and right ends of the top stroke 20 mm apart. Draw the top stroke left to right. Mark the centre (10 mm from either end) and draw a light vertical guide to the baseline. Draw the stem from the top stroke to the baseline. Check: stem height 20 mm, top stroke width 20 mm, stem meets top stroke at 10 mm from each end within 1 mm (hypothetical tolerance).
Four practice exercises
Exercise 1
Draw a block T with x-height 30 mm and width 24 mm. Use the stroke order from the lesson. State your centring tolerance.
Show answer and check
A block T with a 30 mm stem from baseline to midline, a 24 mm top stroke, and the stem meeting the top stroke at 12 mm from each end within your stated tolerance (for example 1 mm, hypothetical).
Why: The top stroke is drawn first so its centre can be found. The stem is then drawn from that centre to the baseline. Width and height are checked against the stated values.
Check: Measure stem height (30 mm), top stroke width (24 mm), and left and right distances from the stem to the ends of the top stroke (each about 12 mm within tolerance).
Exercise 2
Draw a serif T with x-height 25 mm, width 25 mm, and serif length 4 mm (hypothetical). Add serifs at both ends of the top stroke and at the bottom of the stem.
Show answer and check
A serif T with a 25 mm stem, 25 mm top stroke, two 4 mm downward serifs at the top ends, and a centred bottom serif extending about 2 mm on each side of the stem (hypothetical example).
Why: Main strokes are drawn first to fix height and width. Serifs are added afterwards and measured against the stated serif length. Symmetry is checked left to right.
Check: Measure stem height (25 mm), top stroke width (25 mm), each top serif (4 mm), and the bottom serif extension on each side (about 2 mm within tolerance).
Exercise 3
A student draws a block T with a 20 mm stem but the top stroke is 28 mm and the stem meets it 8 mm from the left end. Identify the errors and state corrections using a stated width of 20 mm.
Show answer and check
The top stroke is too wide (28 mm instead of 20 mm) and the stem is off-centre (8 mm from left instead of 10 mm). Correct by marking a 20 mm top stroke and placing the stem at its centre (10 mm from each end).
Why: The stated width is the reference. Centring means equal distances from the stem to each end of the top stroke. Both errors are measurable with a ruler.
Check: Measure the top stroke (should be 20 mm) and the left and right distances from the stem (each should be about 10 mm within tolerance).
Exercise 4
Draw a serif T with x-height 18 mm and width 18 mm. Use serif length 3 mm (hypothetical). Then draw a second serif T with the same height but width 22 mm. State which convention values changed and check both drawings.
Show answer and check
Two serif Ts: first with 18 mm height, 18 mm width, 3 mm serifs; second with 18 mm height, 22 mm width, 3 mm serifs. The width changed from 18 mm to 22 mm; height and serif length stayed the same.
Why: Changing width while keeping height and serif length constant isolates one variable. Each drawing is checked against its own stated values.
Check: For each drawing, measure stem height (18 mm), top stroke width (18 mm or 22 mm), and serif lengths (3 mm). Confirm the stem is centred in each top stroke within your stated tolerance.
Common mistakes
- Drawing the vertical stem off-centre. Mark the centre of the top stroke before drawing the stem, and use a light vertical guide.
- Making the top stroke too short or too long compared with the stated width. Mark both ends of the top stroke first and measure the width with a ruler.
- Adding serifs that are unequal in length. Measure each serif against your stated serif length and adjust before finalising.
- Letting the stem stop above or below the baseline. Extend the stem exactly to the baseline and check with a ruler.
Self-check rubric
- States chosen x-height, width, and serif length (if used) before drawing.
- Block T: top stroke is level and matches stated width within a small stated tolerance.
- Block T: stem is straight, centred on the top stroke, and reaches the baseline.
- Serif T: main strokes match block T requirements.
- Serif T: left and right serifs are equal within a small stated tolerance; bottom serif is centred.
- Guide lines are removed or light; final strokes are clear.
- Valid alternatives are accepted if the stated convention is followed consistently.
Questions and answers
Do I have to use 20 mm x-height?
No. 20 mm is a hypothetical example. Choose any size that fits your paper and record it so your drawing can be checked against your own convention.
Can the T be wider than it is tall?
Yes, letter styles vary. State your chosen width before drawing and keep it consistent. The rubric allows valid alternatives.
Are serifs required in the serif style?
Yes, the serif style includes small finishing strokes. You choose their length, but they should be symmetrical and stated in your convention.
How do I check centring without a ruler?
Fold a light paper guide or use grid paper to compare left and right distances. A ruler is more precise; use whichever tool you have.