Handwritten word segmentation problem is one of many problems in the handwritten word recognition fiel. This segmentation problem will be more complicated if dealing with cursive handwritten word. this paper will discuss a simple approach in sigmentation called oversegmentation using 1D Gaussian filters. Based on the subjective test result 1D Gaussian filter having 8 point in length and 4 - 12 in standartd deviation as well as those having 12 - 24 points in length and 4 - 16 in standard deviation can be used effectively for this kind of segmentation .