Printable lined paper
Free printable lined paper: choose wide ruled (11/32 in, about 8.7 mm), college ruled (9/32 in, about 7.1 mm) or narrow ruled (1/4 in, 6.35 mm) lines, add a margin line, and download a Letter or A4 PDF.
Use the generator below to set the ruling, margin line and header, then download a PDF or print. Changes appear instantly in the preview.
Paper generator
How to make a lined paper template
- Choose the ruling. Pick wide ruled (11/32 in, or 8.7 mm on A4), college ruled (9/32 in, or 7.1 mm on A4), narrow ruled (1/4 in) or enter a custom line spacing.
- Add a margin line or header. Tick the red left margin line for a classic notebook look, or add a name and date header for school work.
- Pick size and colour. Choose Letter, A4 or Legal, portrait or landscape, then a line colour and weight. Light blue is the traditional choice.
- Download or print. Download the lined paper PDF, or click Print and keep the scale at 100% so the spacing stays exact.
Ruling sizes
| Ruling | Letter / inch spacing | A4 spacing | Lines on Letter* | Lines on A4* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide ruled | 11/32 in (8.731 mm) | 8.7 mm | 30 | 32 |
| College ruled | 9/32 in (7.144 mm) | 7.1 mm | 37 | 40 |
| Narrow ruled | 1/4 in (6.35 mm) | 6.35 mm | 41 | 44 |
* With 10 mm margins on every side and no header. Larger margins or the name/date header mean fewer lines. Letter, Legal and inch mode use the exact inch rulings; A4 in mm uses the metric values.
Which lined paper should I use?
Wide ruled gives young writers room for big letters. College ruled is the default for most students and adults. Narrow ruled packs in the most lines for small handwriting. For maths, try graph paper, and for structured lecture notes use the Cornell notes template.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between wide ruled and college ruled paper?
Wide ruled paper has lines 11/32 inch (about 8.7 mm) apart and is common in elementary school. College ruled lines are 9/32 inch (about 7.1 mm) apart, so you fit more lines per page; it is the usual choice for high school, college and office notes.
What is narrow ruled paper?
Narrow ruled paper has lines 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) apart. It suits small handwriting and fitting lots of notes on one page.
How many lines are on a page of lined paper?
With 10 mm margins, US Letter fits 30 wide ruled, 37 college ruled or 41 narrow ruled lines. A4 fits 32, 40 and 44 lines. Adding a header or bigger margins reduces the count.
Can I print lined paper with a red margin line?
Yes. Tick Red left margin line and a pink-red vertical line is drawn about 1.25 inches (32 mm) from the left edge, like a standard notebook.
What colour should lined paper be?
Light blue lines with a red margin are the classic notebook style. Grey is subtle and photocopies well, and black is best for children who need strong guides or for printers that print pale.
Is this lined paper template free?
Yes. Every lined paper template here is free to download, print and copy for home, school or classroom use.