Printable staff paper
Free printable staff paper: make blank sheet music with 8, 10 or 12 staves, choose the staff size, add treble, bass or grand staff clefs and a title line, then download a PDF or print.
Manuscript paper set up in seconds. The staves are spread evenly down the page.
Paper generator
How to make staff paper
- Choose staves per page. Pick 8, 10 or 12 staves. Fewer staves leave more room for lyrics, chord names and notes above and below.
- Set the staff size. Choose the gap between staff lines from 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm. 2 mm gives an 8 mm staff, a comfortable handwriting size.
- Add clefs and a title. Optionally add a treble clef, bass clef or a grand staff with both, and a title line at the top.
- Download or print. Download the blank sheet music PDF or print it at 100% scale.
Staff sizes
| Line gap | Staff height | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 mm | 6 mm | Small, dense scores |
| 1.75 mm | 7 mm | Compact handwriting |
| 2 mm | 8 mm | Everyday manuscript |
| 2.25 mm | 9 mm | Students, larger notes |
| 2.5 mm | 10 mm | Beginners and children |
Tips for writing on manuscript paper
- Use pencil first; note heads should fill about one space.
- Choose landscape for lead sheets with long phrases.
- For guitar, print 8 staves and write chord names in the extra space.
- Practising theory? Grand staff pages are ideal for piano exercises.
Need paper for lyrics or notes? Try lined paper or Cornell notes.
Frequently asked questions
What is staff paper?
Staff paper, also called manuscript paper or blank sheet music, is printed with sets of five horizontal lines called staves (or staffs). Musicians write notes, rests and clefs on and between the lines.
How many staves should a page have?
12 staves fit the most music on a page and are standard for manuscript paper. 10 or 8 staves leave extra space between staves for lyrics, dynamics or chord symbols, and are easier for beginners.
What staff size is best for handwriting?
A staff about 7 to 8 mm tall (a 1.75 to 2 mm gap between lines) suits most adult handwriting. Choose 9 or 10 mm for children and beginners, and 6 mm for dense scores.
What is a grand staff?
A grand staff joins a treble staff and a bass staff with a brace, as used for piano and harp music. Choose Grand staff to print staves in braced treble and bass pairs.
Can I print blank sheet music for free?
Yes. All staff paper here is free to download and print, with or without clefs, in Letter, A4 or Legal.