How to Write the Slash / in Cursive
The forward slash is a single diagonal stroke, but it does an enormous amount of work — separating dates, fractions, alternatives ('and/or'), and URLs. In cursive lettering it appears in chalkboard menus ('soup/salad'), branding pairs ('he/she'), and date stamps. Despite its simplicity, the slash's slope and length determine whether it reads as a divider or as part of a fraction.
The Slash (/) in 30 Cursive Fonts
See how the slash 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 Slash (/) Step by Step
Draw a single straight diagonal stroke from the lower left to the upper right. The stroke should rise from the baseline to the cap line at an angle of roughly 60–75° from horizontal — steeper than a typical italic slant. Keep the stroke thickness consistent (or with a slight taper at each end for calligraphic styles).
- ✗ Drawing the slash too shallow so it looks like a hyphen
- ✗ Drawing it too steep so it reads as a vertical bar
- ✗ Sizing the slash too short, so it doesn't span the full x-height
- ✗ Slanting it backward (\) by mistake, producing a backslash instead
- ✗ Letting the stroke wobble — the slash should be a single confident line
Stylistic Variations of the Slash
- Forward slash (/) — the standard divider, used in dates, fractions, and URLs
- Backslash (\) — used in computing file paths; rarely appears in lettering
- Fraction slash (⁄) — a steeper slash used in proper fractions like ½
- Brush slash — bold downstroke with hairline tips, common in modern poster lettering
- Decorative slash — extended into a flourish for headline and logo design
Where the Slash (/) Is Used
Real-world contexts where this symbol earns its place in cursive lettering.
- /Dates ('06/15/2024')
- /Menu options ('soup/salad', 'wine/beer')
- /Pronoun pairs ('he/she', 'they/them')
- /Fractions ('1/2', '3/4') in recipe lettering
- /URLs and file paths in tech-themed lettering
Practice Tips for the Cursive Slash
- 1Drill rows of consistent diagonal strokes at the same slope to train your hand.
- 2Sketch a guide diagonal lightly before lettering pairs like 'he/she' so the slash sits at a consistent angle.
- 3Try the slash at three weights — hairline, medium, and brush — to see how it changes character.
- 4Use the same slash slope throughout a piece for visual consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cursive Slash
How do you write a slash in cursive?
What is the difference between a slash and a backslash?
Is a slash the same as a fraction bar?
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