Umlaut Handwriting: Ä/ä, Ö/ö, Ü/ü Loops and Forms

Umlauts—Ä/ä, Ö/ö, and Ü/ü—are essential parts of the German alphabet.
They change the sound of the vowel and often change the meaning of a word:

• schon vs. schön

• Mus vs. Müsli

• Ofen vs. Öfen

Because Umlaut letters appear everywhere in everyday German, it’s important to learn how they look in handwriting, not just typing.

This guide explains:

• How to write Umlauts in printed handwriting (Druckschrift)

• How to write Umlauts in cursive handwriting (Schreibschrift)

• Stroke orders, loops, dot placement, and common mistakes

• How Umlauts behave in uppercase and lowercase handwriting

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2. Understanding Umlauts: Shape + Dots

Each Umlaut letter has two parts:

1. The base vowel (A/a, O/o, U/u)

2. Two dots above the letter (called Trema in typography, but Umlautpunkte in handwriting)

Key handwriting rule:

Write the letter first, then add the two dots.
This helps maintain proper height and spacing, especially in cursive.

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3. Umlauts in Printed Handwriting (Druckschrift)

Druckschrift is the simple, block-style handwriting used by beginners and in German schools.

3.1 Ä and ä in Druckschrift

• Ä: Write a standard A with a flat top or pointed top. Add two small, evenly spaced dots above.

• ä: Write the lowercase “a” (single-story school a). Add two dots above the x-height.

Spacing tips:

• The dots should be the same horizontal width as the letter body.

• Keep the dots small circles or short vertical dashes (both are acceptable).

3.2 Ö and ö in Druckschrift

• Ö: Draw a round O. Add two dots above the top curve.

• ö: Small round o + two dots above the x-height.

Tip:
Make sure the dots sit close enough to show it’s not O+something, but Ö.

3.3 Ü and ü in Druckschrift

• Ü: Draw a U with a vertical rise or curved bottom. Add two dots.

• ü: Small u with two dots above the ascender height.

Common mistake:
Writing the dots too high, making them look like random punctuation. Always keep dots inside the line space.

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4. Umlauts in German Cursive (Schreibschrift)

In cursive, the base letter connects smoothly to the next letter. The Umlaut dots are added after writing the letter and maintaining flow.

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4.1 Cursive Ä / ä: Loops and Forms

Uppercase Cursive Ä

• Start with the traditional cursive A-loop:
  A large leftward upstroke → top loop → curve down into the right leg.

• Then add two small diagonal dots above the loop.

Style note:
In many German cursive systems, the uppercase A has a tall leading loop. The Umlaut dots sit slightly right of center due to the slanted cursive angle.

Lowercase Cursive ä

• Write a small round cursive a (circle + exit stroke).

• Add two dots close above the circle but not touching.

Avoid:
Placing dots too far right; they must align with the letter body.

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4.2 Cursive Ö / ö: Curves and Placement

Uppercase Cursive Ö

• Start with the oval O shape used in Schreibschrift.

• The exit stroke often curves slightly right.

• Add two dots centered above the oval.

Lowercase Cursive ö

• Write a small open o (cursive o) that ends with a rightward connecting stroke.

• Place the dots right above the start and end of the top curve.

Tip:
Lowercase ö dots should not overlap with the connecting stroke.

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4.3 Cursive Ü / ü: Lifted Entry + Dots

Uppercase Cursive Ü

• Most German cursive U forms begin with a slanted entry stroke, then dip into the U curve, then rise into a rightward connector.

• Add two dots above the highest left part of the letter.

Lowercase Cursive ü

• Written like the cursive “u” with two humps or one, depending on style (usually two).

• Add two dots above the first hump.

Important:
The dots follow the slant of the writing. They should NOT be horizontal like typed ü — slight diagonal is normal.

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5. Umlaut Dot Rules (Handwriting Essentials)

Rule 1: Dots must be evenly spaced

The two dots should look like a matched pair, not random marks.

Rule 2: Dots must sit above the letter’s center

Especially important for cursive, where letters slant forward.

Rule 3: Dots should be small

Large dots look like accents or commas. Keep them tight and light.

Rule 4: No line touching

Dots must not connect to loops, ascenders, or exit strokes.

Rule 5: Dots always come last

You write:

• the letter

• finish the exit stroke

• lift your pen

• add the two dots

This is standard in German schools.

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6. Stroke Order Guide (Step-by-Step)

Ä / ä

1. Write A/a shape.

2. Lift pen.

3. Add dots evenly above the center.

Ö / ö

1. Draw round O/o.

2. Lift pen.

3. Add dots near the top curve.

Ü / ü

1. Write U/u shape.

2. Lift pen.

3. Add dots above the left or center area.

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7. Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Mistake 1: Writing dots too far apart

➜ Fix: Align dots with the width of the letter.

Mistake 2: Placing dots above the next letter

➜ Fix: Add dots immediately after forming the vowel.

Mistake 3: Making the dots look like accents

➜ Fix: Keep them round or short vertical lines, not slanted.

Mistake 4: Cursive dots placed directly above connection loops

➜ Fix: Angle dots slightly right to match handwriting slant.

Mistake 5: Writing capitals without dots

Common in messy handwriting, but incorrect:
✔ Äpfel, not Apfel (different meaning!)

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8. Practice Section: Umlaut Words for Beginners

Simple Practice Words

• Ärger

• Äpfel

• Öl

• Öffnen

• Über

• Müsli

• für

• schön

Cursive Practice Strings

Copy in one continuous line:

• ä–ö–ü

• Ä–Ö–Ü

• äaä / öoö / üuü

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9. Final Tips for Perfect Umlaut Handwriting

• Keep a consistent slant (especially in cursive).

• Make dots the same size as each other.

• Practice on lined paper to control height.

• Write slowly at first, then build speed.

Umlauts are small, but they are essential to correct German writing.
Mastering their shape, dot placement, and cursive forms will make your handwriting clear, accurate, and easy to read.

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