How to Draw Block Letters Step by Step

By Graffiti Generator Team · Updated 2026-10-21 · 2 min read

Quick answer: Lightly draw thin skeleton letters, then draw an outline the same distance away from the skeleton on both sides to get even, thick strokes. Square off corners, erase the skeleton and optionally add a drop shadow or 3D.

Block letters are the base for posters, classroom signs, banners and most graffiti styles. Get them even and everything else gets easier.

What you need

A pencil, an eraser, a ruler and, ideally, graph paper. The grid keeps letter height and stroke width the same.

Step by step

Draw two guide lines for the letter height.
Write the word as thin skeleton letters, leaving space between them.
Draw lines parallel to every stroke, the same distance on each side. That distance sets your stroke width.
Close the ends with straight lines and square corners.
Erase the skeleton and guide lines.
Outline in pen, then fill or shade.

Fixing tricky letters

S: draw it as two stacked boxes that share a middle bar.
R and K: keep the diagonal leg the same width as the other strokes.
M and W: make them slightly wider than other letters so the inside does not get cramped.

Leveling up

Add a drop shadow or block 3D (see 3D graffiti letters). Turn the corners round and you are on your way to bubble letters. To see the word in a dozen heavy fonts first, try the graffiti font generator.

Frequently asked questions

How do I keep block letters the same size?

Use guide lines or graph paper and keep the distance from the skeleton the same on every stroke.

What is the hardest block letter to draw?

S is usually hardest. Treat it as two stacked boxes that share a middle bar.

How do I make block letters look 3D?

Extend each corner in one direction by the same amount, connect the ends and shade the sides.