How to print graph paper
- Pick the square size. 5 mm and 1/4 inch are the everyday sizes; 1 mm gives millimetre (engineering) paper.
- Choose bold lines every 4, 5 or 10 squares to make counting and plotting easier.
- Set the paper, colour and line weight, and how many pages you want.
- Download and print at 100% / Actual size. The PDF is drawn with vectors, so every square is the exact size at any printer resolution.
Which square size for which job
| Square size | Squares per inch / cm | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 mm (bold every 10) | 10 per cm | Millimetre paper: engineering, science graphs, precise plotting |
| 2 mm | 5 per cm | Detailed charts, embroidery and knitting charts |
| 5 mm | 2 per cm | School maths in Europe and Asia, notes, sketches |
| 1 cm | 1 per cm | Young students, area and perimeter lessons, floor plans at 1:100 |
| 1/4 inch | 4 per inch | US school “quad ruled” paper, floor plans at 1/4" = 1' |
| 1/5 inch | 5 per inch | Engineering and accounting pads |
| 1/10 inch | 10 per inch | Engineering, data plots |
Get exact squares when printing
Printers shrink pages slightly when “Fit to page” or “Shrink oversized pages” is on, which turns 5 mm squares into about 4.8 mm. Always choose Actual size or 100%. To check, measure ten squares with a ruler: they should be exactly 5 cm (or 2.5 inches for 1/4-inch paper).
Other paper from the same generator
Switch Paper type to make dot grid, isometric, hexagon, lined, handwriting-practice or music staff paper with the same controls, or use the links below for pages with tips for each kind.
Frequently asked questions
What size are graph paper squares?
The most common are 5 mm (Europe, Asia) and 1/4 inch (US, “4 squares per inch”). Engineering paper often uses 1/5 or 1/10 inch, and millimetre paper uses 1 mm squares with bold 5 mm and 1 cm lines.
Will the squares be exactly the right size?
Print at 100% / Actual size (not “Fit to page”), otherwise the printer shrinks the page and the spacing is no longer exact.
Why is there a gap at the edges?
The grid is made of whole squares only and centred inside the margin, so no square is cut off at the edge. Reduce the margin if you want the grid closer to the edge.
Can I print many pages at once?
Yes. Set “Pages in PDF” up to 50 to get a ready-to-print pad.
Last updated 2026-10-19.