How to print lined paper
- Choose the line spacing (ruling): wide, college, narrow, 8 mm or your own.
- Choose the margin line: left for English, right for Urdu and Arabic, or none.
- Pick the paper size, colour and number of pages, then download and print at 100%.
Line spacing explained
| Ruling | Spacing | Used by |
|---|---|---|
| Wide ruled (legal ruled) | 11/32 in = 8.7 mm | Primary school, large handwriting |
| College ruled (medium) | 9/32 in = 7.1 mm | US high school, college, adults |
| Narrow ruled | 1/4 in = 6.35 mm | Small handwriting, more lines per page |
| Feint ruled (A4) | 8 mm | UK and European refill pads and exercise books |
| Narrow feint | 6 mm | Notebooks for small writing |
Margin on the left or the right
The red margin line marks where each line of writing starts. In English it’s on the left, 1.25 inch (about 32 mm) from the edge as on US notebook paper. Urdu and Arabic are written right to left, so choose the right-hand margin for homework and notes in those scripts.
Tips
- Tick Name and date line for school worksheets and tests.
- Print two-sided and use the booklet maker to make an A5 exercise book.
- For young children learning letters, use the handwriting practice paper with a dotted midline instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between wide and college ruled?
Wide ruled lines are 11/32 inch (8.7 mm) apart, used in primary school. College ruled is 9/32 inch (7.1 mm), for older students and adults. Narrow ruled is 1/4 inch (6.35 mm).
What spacing does A4 lined paper use?
Most A4 refill pads and exercise books in the UK and Europe use about 8 mm spacing (“feint ruled”); 6 mm is common for narrow feint.
Can I put the margin on the right?
Yes. Choose “Right (Urdu, Arabic)” for right-to-left writing, so the margin sits where the line starts.
Will the lines be the right distance apart?
Print at 100% / Actual size (not “Fit to page”), otherwise the printer shrinks the page and the spacing is no longer exact.
Last updated 2026-10-19.