Line spacing and lines per page
Portrait page, 1 inch of space at the top and 1/2 inch at the bottom.
| Ruling | Spacing | Lines on Letter | Lines on A4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wide ruled | 11/32 in (8.7 mm) | 28 | 30 |
| College ruled | 9/32 in (7.1 mm) | 34 | 37 |
| Narrow ruled | 1/4 in (6.4 mm) | 39 | 41 |
| 8 mm | UK / Europe standard | 31 | 33 |
| 6 mm | UK / Europe narrow | 41 | 44 |
How to print lined paper
- Pick the ruling. Wide for young writers and big handwriting, college for most students and adults, narrow when you want to fit the most lines.
- Set up the page. Match Letter or A4 to the paper in your printer, choose portrait or landscape, and decide on the red margin line and how much space to leave at the top for a name and date.
- Download and print at 100%. Choose “Actual size” in the print dialog so the spacing matches real notebook paper. For a binder, use a three-hole punch after printing; the margin line keeps writing clear of the holes.
Uses for printable lined paper
- Homework and spelling practice when the notebook runs out.
- Letters, journals and writing drafts you want on real paper.
- Landscape sheets for wide tables, lists and sign-up sheets.
- Classroom handouts in a ruling that matches what students already use.
Need squares instead? Try the graph paper generator.
Lined paper FAQ
What is the difference between wide ruled and college ruled paper?
Line spacing. Wide ruled lines are 11/32 inch (about 8.7 mm) apart and suit younger students and larger handwriting. College ruled lines are 9/32 inch (about 7.1 mm) apart, so you fit more lines on a page. Narrow ruled is tighter still at 1/4 inch.
Which ruling should my child use?
Follow the school supply list if there is one. Wide ruled is common in elementary grades because the bigger gaps are easier for young writers; many older students move to college ruled.
What is the red line on lined paper for?
It marks the left margin, about 1 1/4 inches from the edge on US notebook paper. It keeps writing clear of the binder holes and leaves room for notes. You can turn it off for a clean page.
What line spacing is used outside the US?
In the UK and much of Europe, 8 mm is the usual line spacing for adults, with 6 mm as a narrow option. Both are included above, and they print well on A4.
How do I make sure the lines print at the right spacing?
Print the PDF at 100% ("Actual size"). Then measure from the first line to the eleventh: on college ruled paper that is 10 × 9/32 = 2 13/16 inches, about 71 mm.
Sources
- Wikipedia, “Ruled paper”: wide 11/32 in, college 9/32 in and narrow 1/4 in spacing, margin about 1 1/4 in from the left, and 8 mm / 6 mm as common UK spacings.
- Product listings that state the rule size: college 9/32 in (Universal 20911, Pacon PAC3202), wide 11/32 in (Universal 20920, Mead 15200), narrow 1/4 in (Oxford 25-400R).