Free Printable Handwriting Paper

About handwriting paper

Handwriting paper has three guide lines for each row: a solid top line, a dashed midline and a solid baseline. Capital letters reach the top line, lowercase letters sit between the midline and the baseline, and descenders drop below. This structure is how children learn consistent letter size and proportion.

Pick the letter height that matches the learner. Large 19 mm spacing suits kindergarten and early printing, 12.7 mm (1/2 in) is typical for grades 1 and 2, and 9 mm works for older students. The gap between rows is adjustable too.

For cursive or italic practice, add slant guides at 55 degrees or vertical guides at 90 degrees, and include a name and date line for classroom use.

What you can use it for

• Learning to print letters and numbers
• Cursive and italic practice
• Classroom worksheets with a name and date line
• Homeschool copywork
• Adults improving their handwriting

The options explained

• Letter height. Distance from the top line to the baseline. Larger values leave more room for each letter.
• Space between rows. Blank space between one set of lines and the next.
• Line pattern. Top line, dashed midline and baseline; top line and baseline only; or baseline only.
• Slant guides. Vertical or slanted guide lines inside each row, to keep letters at a consistent angle.
• Name and date line. Adds a Name and Date line above the first row. Find it under Extras.

Printing tips

• Start with the Kindergarten preset for first-time writers and move to a smaller size as control improves.
• For copywork, write a model sentence at the top of the page for the child to copy.
• Print a few sizes and let learners choose the one they find comfortable.

For more detail, read the guide to printing paper at home.

Frequently asked questions