How to print your own graph paper

Squared, dotted, isometric or lined, at exactly the spacing you want, without buying a pad.

Print the paper you need rather than the nearest thing a shop sells — useful for homework, knitting charts, garden plans and bullet journals.

Step-by-step

1. Choose a type — squares, dots, isometric or lines.
2. Set the spacing.
3. Print, making sure scaling is off.

Which type

• Squares — general maths, graphs, plans. 5 mm is the usual school size.
• Dots — the grid guides without dominating the page. Popular for journals and sketching.
• Isometric — triangular grid for drawing three-dimensional objects at a consistent angle.
• Lines — ruled paper at whatever spacing suits the handwriting.

Turn off print scaling

This is the one thing that matters. If your printer scales to fit the page, your 5 mm squares will not be 5 mm, and anything measured off them will be wrong. Set scaling to 100% or "actual size" — the option is usually in the print dialogue and often defaults to shrinking.

Check with a ruler on the first sheet before printing thirty.

Paper size

A4 and Letter differ in both dimensions, so a grid laid out for one leaves an odd margin on the other. Choose the size you are actually printing on.

Frequently asked questions

Will the squares be the right size?

Only if print scaling is off. Set it to 100% or actual size, and check the first sheet with a ruler before printing a stack.

What spacing is standard for school work?

5 mm squares is the usual size for exercise books, with 10 mm for younger children.

What is isometric paper for?

Drawing three-dimensional objects at consistent angles. The triangular grid keeps edges parallel without needing to construct a perspective.