Most often, the /k/ sound in the initial, final, and medial positions is made by the consonant k as in kite, milk, and market. However, in the final and medial positions, the /k/ sound is often written with the letter combination ck, as in quick and lucky. The use of the consonant k is consistent for the /k/ sound, although there are other letters and combinations of letters that also make the /k/ sound. Sometimes the consonant k is silent, as in the words know and knit.

The /k/ sound also has other spellings. They include c as in cave and ch as in chasm.