Promote Good Penmanship and Celebrate Handwriting!
Celebrate cursive and manuscript excellence with the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest! In the 30+ years of the contest, millions of students have put pencil to paper to participate in the most prestigious handwriting contest in the United States.
Student entries are evaluated at the school and state level. State winners go on to compete at the national level, vying for the honor of Grand National Champion at grades K–8. Winning students receive trophies, cash prizes, and the pride that comes with having the best penmanship in the nation.
Who Is Eligible?
The contest is open to all students enrolled in schools in grades K–8 (K–2 entries in manuscript and 3–8 entries in cursive) and includes a special-needs category created in honor of Nicholas Maxim, a past participant whose passion for writing inspired the award.
When Does the Contest Run?
The Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest kicks off each fall and runs through February 14. Winners are announced and prizes awarded each spring. Meet our 2023 winners!
