Ruled paper comes in three standard line spacings. The difference is only a millimetre or two, but it changes how much fits on a page and how comfortable the sheet is to write on.
| Ruling | Line spacing | Lines on a Letter page* | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wide ruled | 8.7 mm (11/32 in) | about 29 | Younger students, large handwriting, journaling |
| College ruled | 7.1 mm (9/32 in) | about 36 | Class notes, general writing |
| Narrow ruled | 6.35 mm (1/4 in) | about 40 | Small handwriting, dense notes |
*With a 10 mm page margin. The exact count depends on your margins.
Which should I choose?
If your handwriting is large, or you are still learning to write neatly, wide ruled gives letters room to breathe. College ruled is the sensible default for most adults and older students because it keeps notes compact without feeling cramped. Narrow ruled suits very small writing and anyone who wants to save paper.
What about the margin line?
Notebook paper often has a vertical red line about 32 mm (1.25 in) from the left edge. It leaves room for notes, corrections or a three-hole punch. You can add a single or double margin line, change its colour and position, or remove it altogether.
Legal pad paper
A legal pad is usually yellow with wide ruling and a double red margin line on the left. Choose the Legal pad preset to get the same look on any paper size.
Other ways to customise
- Use dashed or dotted lines if you prefer a lighter ruling.
- Leave space at the top for a title.
- Switch to A4, A5 or Half Letter for notebooks and planners.
Pick a ruling in the lined paper generator: wide ruled, college ruled or narrow ruled.