An example process for recognizing handwritten input includes obtaining input data representing handwritten input, where the handwritten input is associated with a first dimension and a second dimension relative to the handwritten input; sampling the input data to obtain a plurality of coordinates representing the handwritten input; determining, based on the plurality of coordinates, a sequence of vectors representing a respective plurality of portions of the handwritten input, where: each portion of the respective plurality of portions is associated with a respective height and width corresponding respectively to the first and second dimensions, the respective height being greater than the respective width; and consecutive vectors of the sequence of vectors represent respective consecutive portions of the handwritten input; generating, using a handwriting recognition model, based on the sequence of vectors, one or more characters for the handwritten input; and causing the one or more characters to be displayed.