How to Write the Percent % in Cursive
The percent sign is the visual shorthand for 'per hundred' — two small circles separated by a diagonal slash. In cursive lettering it appears most often on sale signage and promotional posters where 'X% off' is the headline. The trick is keeping the two circles perfectly round at small sizes while letting the diagonal share the slope of the surrounding script.
The Percent (%) in 30 Cursive Fonts
See how the percent looks across every cursive font in our collection. Each font gives the symbol a unique personality — from formal calligraphic scripts to casual modern handwriting.
Tangerine
Dancing Script
Great Vibes
Parisienne
Sacramento
Kaushan Script
Alex Brush
Caveat
Mr De Haviland
Satisfy
Allura
Yellowtail
Arizonia
Bad Script
Berkshire Swash
Marck Script
Petit Formal Script
Pinyon Script
Italianno
Niconne
Quintessential
Style Script
Carattere
Ephesis
Luxurious Script
Bilbo Swash Caps
How to Write the Percent (%) Step by Step
Draw a small circle (about a third of the cap height) above the baseline. From its lower right edge, sweep a diagonal stroke down and to the left to a second small circle sitting on the baseline. The diagonal should slope at roughly 60° from horizontal, matching the slant of italic numerals. Both circles should be the same size and the diagonal should pass between them without touching either.
- ✗ Drawing the two circles at different sizes, which makes the symbol feel lopsided
- ✗ Making the diagonal too steep (vertical) or too shallow (horizontal)
- ✗ Letting the diagonal touch or cut through one of the circles
- ✗ Sizing the percent sign too small relative to the digits, so it disappears in '50%'
- ✗ Filling the circles solid in scripts where the digits use open counters
Stylistic Variations of the Percent
- Open-circle percent — the default in most fonts, with hollow circles
- Filled-dot percent — small solid dots replace the circles, common in brush lettering
- Stacked percent — circle over slash over circle, used in some scientific notation
- Per-mille (‰) and per-ten-thousand (‱) — extended siblings used in finance and statistics
Where the Percent (%) Is Used
Real-world contexts where this symbol earns its place in cursive lettering.
- %Sale and discount signage ('40% OFF', '70% Off Final Sale')
- %Statistics and infographic lettering
- %Loan and savings illustrations on financial blogs
- %Election-night graphics and polling charts
- %Recipe annotations ('100% whole grain')
Practice Tips for the Cursive Percent
- 1Drill the two-circle motion at consistent size — many beginners draw the lower circle smaller.
- 2Lightly pencil the diagonal first to establish the slant before adding the circles.
- 3When pairing with digits, letter the digits first, then place the percent sign so its baseline aligns with theirs.
- 4Practise a 'stacked' version (numerator over denominator) for variety in poster lettering.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cursive Percent
How do you write a cursive percent sign?
What does percent literally mean?
Why is the percent sign used in sale signage?
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