How to Draw Block Letter M
Block letter M is the widest capital and one of the most complex — four strokes that need to balance perfectly. Two outer stems (which can be vertical or slightly splayed) frame a central V or W-shape. The middle dip can reach the baseline (the cleanest geometric look) or stop short (a more compact, modern look). Get M right and you'll have the same visual rhythm in W.
Letter M in Block-Letter Styles
Block lettering covers a range of sans-serif styles — from heavy poster blocks to condensed industrial faces. Here's how the letter “M” looks across the most common block variants.
Heavy Block
Bold Italic
Industrial
Poster
Condensed Bold
Stencil Lite
How to Draw Uppercase Block “M”
Block M is four strokes: left vertical stem (top to bottom), left diagonal sweeping from the top of that stem down to the baseline at the centre, right diagonal sweeping back up to the top, and the right vertical stem down to the baseline.
- ✗ Centre V not reaching the baseline (acceptable in some styles, but be deliberate)
- ✗ Outer stems splayed at different angles
- ✗ Apex of the centre V too pointed or too rounded compared to the rest of the alphabet
How to Draw Lowercase Block “m”
Lowercase 'm' has three vertical strokes joined by two arches. Start with the left stem, then add the middle stem with an arch from the top of the left stem, then the right stem with another arch.
- ✗ Uneven arch heights
- ✗ Stems not parallel
- ✗ Spacing between the three stems uneven
Letters Often Confused with Block “M”
Spacing & Kerning Companions for “M”
M is so wide it dominates the spacing of any word it's in. Its outer stems are vertical (or near-vertical), so kerning is mostly about managing the letter's overall width rather than its edges.
Words Starting with “M” in Block Lettering
These uppercase words look particularly strong in block lettering. Click any word to preview it in our cursive generator for a script comparison.
Practice Tips for Block Letter “M”
- 1Decide whether your M's outer stems are vertical or splayed and stay consistent.
- 2Decide whether the centre V reaches the baseline — both styles are valid, just commit.
- 3Use M's width as a proportional reference for W — they should feel like a matching pair.
- 4Keep all four strokes the same weight, even though the diagonals visually feel heavier.
- 5When kerning MM, leave full standard spacing — both inner stems already create rhythm.
Frequently Asked Questions about Block Letter M
Frequently Asked Questions
Should M's outer stems be vertical or splayed?
Should the centre V of M reach the baseline?
Learn More
Cursive M
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