Printable Ruler | Online Ruler

online or printable rulers

Free printable ruler to print at actual size or online ruler to use without printing.

online or printable rulers

To use the online ruler: ensure the page is the actual size, place a piece of paper on the screen and adjust the size until the image is the size of the page. To adjust the screen size click on control and scroll with your mouse. Once your screen is the right size then you can use the ruler online. There are two paper sizes below (A4 and 8.5″x11″) so make sure that you choose the correct file for the paper you use.

Printable Ruler

Our free printable ruler (actual size) comes is available in mm, cm, and inches. A ruler printable is useful to put in your planner or for other uses, such as sewing projects when you need to pin on the ruler. The actual size printable ruler must be printed on either A4 or US Letter paper (according to the paper size you choose). This is important to ensure that the print out ruler is accurate.

You can print ruler templates on any color paper to create a colored ruler. For a printable metric ruler, choose the centimeter or the millimeter ruler printable.

Printable Ruler Inches

For a metric printable ruler see below.

12-inch ruler

12-inch ruler

10-inch ruler 

10 inch ruler

8-inch ruler

7, 8, 9 and 10-inch ruler

printable ruler

These printable rulers are in inches and centimeters.

Printable Centimeter Ruler

This actual size printable ruler cm is for those who follow the metric system.

20 cm or 8 inches 

Printable Centimeter Ruler

30 cm or 12 inches 

printable ruler cm

There are four rulers on this page: 

  • 25 cm and 10 inches
  • 23 cm and 9 inches
  • 20 cm and 8 inches
  • 18 cm and 7 inches

Printable ruler cm and mm

26 cm and 10 inches 

 

actual size printable ruler 26 cm or 10 inch

Printable MM Ruler

This mm ruler printable shows measurements in millimeters. You can create a printable millimeter ruler from the cm ruler printable above, but you count the shorter lines only (not the longer cm lines).

Up to 260 mm or 26 cm or 10 inches 

Printable MM Ruler

Printable Ruler for Kids

A printable paper ruler is useful when you teach kids measurements. They can draw on the ruler, which will help them understand how to use it and how to read the measurement.

How to make the printable ruler

  1. Download the printable ruler PDF or image file.
  2. Set your printer’s page size to letter or A4 depending on the ruler template you downloaded.
  3. Set page scaling to “none”. The printer setup is important to ensure that your paper ruler is accurate.
  4. Print on standard paper for one-time use or on card stock if you want your ruler to last longer.
  5. You can laminate printable paper rulers if you want them to last for a long time or if you want to write on them with wipe-off markers.
  6. When you have printed your ruler, take a store-bought ruler or a tape measure to check the accuracy. If it isn’t accurate then you need to change your printer’s settings.

Online Ruler

This is a ruler for online use. Since screen sizes differ, you need to adjust the size to ensure that the ruler measurements are accurate. To get an accurate real-size ruler, open the file below and set the zoom to “actual size”.

To ensure the page is the actual size, place a piece of paper on the screen and adjust the size until the image is the size of the page. To adjust the screen size click on control and scroll with your mouse. Once your screen is the right size then you can use the ruler online. There are two paper sizes below (A4 and 8.5″x11″) so make sure that you choose the correct file for the paper you use.

For the online ruler to measure items accurately, it’s essential to calibrate it against a physical object. Here’s how to ensure the online ruler on your screen is set to true size:

  1. Choose a Standard Paper Size: Take a standard piece of paper, which you know the dimensions of (such as an A4 sheet, which is 210mm by 297mm).
  2. Place the Paper Against the Screen: Hold the paper up against your computer screen.
  3. Adjust the Ruler’s Scale: Compare the paper to the ruler displayed on the screen. Adjust the scale of the ruler through the website’s settings until the measurements shown match the actual size of the paper. Most sites will allow you to drag a slider or enter a specific percentage to scale the ruler up or down.
  4. Verify the Accuracy: Check both the length and width measurements with different parts of the paper to ensure the ruler’s scale is accurate throughout.

By following these steps, the online ruler will reflect actual sizes, making it a reliable tool for measuring objects placed against the screen.

Online Ruler Inches

You can use any of the following inch rulers online by using the technique described above to ensure that the ruler is viewed at the actual size. Take note of the paper size.

Online Ruler MM

This is a mm / cm ruler for online use. You can use any of the following cm or mm rulers online by using the technique described above to ensure that the ruler is viewed at the actual size. Take note of the paper size. The cm and mm rulers are on A4 sized paper. Use that size to ensure that it is viewed at the actual size.

Printable Paper

We offer a wide selection of free printable paper that you can download or print in any color, format, size, or style. Instant download with no need to register. Our free paper can also be used to create digital notebooks (see digital planner for more details).

Printable Lined Paper

We offer a selection of Lined Paper for various purposes such as printable stationery or lined writing paper.

happy planner lined paper

Printable Paper for Planners

add borders

Add a Border and Change Colors

lined paper

Printable Lined Paper

Free personalized stationery paper

Create Personalized Lined Stationery

Printable Graph Paper

There are 18 different types of free printable graph paper. Each free graph paper template is available in two formats:

  • A full-page printable graph paper page (prints on standard paper 8.5″x11″)
  • A printable notebook available in Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and PDF (prints on standard paper 8.5″x11″)

You can change the color of the grid on the single pages but not on the notebooks.

Printable Dotted Paper

Our free printable dotted paper or dot grid paper template can be printed in any color and any size! Dotted paper helps you draw straight lines, write in a straight line, or divide your page into sections.

Journal Template

We offer free printable journal pages. You can either print blank pages or a complete ready-made printable or digital journal template.

Sticker Paper

Everything you ever wanted to know about sticker paper. Which is the best sticker paper? How to choose sticker paper? How to print on it and how to cut it.

Newspaper Template

Use our free newspaper generator to make a newspaper template for any purpose.

Notebook Cover

If you are using our templates to create printable notebook paper then you will want to print a notebook cover. You can use any paper template for the actual notebook or combine different styles if you want your notebook to have grid paper, lined paper, and dotted paper.

Memo Template

We offer a free memo template to create personalized memo sheets.

The different memo templates that you can make on this site

Printable Memo Template

101 Different Backgrounds

Fax Template

Create a free personalized fax cover sheet to use when you send faxes.

fax cover sheet

Graph Paper

Graph Paper

Print free graph paper with no registration required and no need to leave your details.

There are 18 different types of free printable graph paper. Each free graph paper template is available in two formats:

  • A full-page printable graph paper page (prints on standard paper 8.5″x11″)
  • A printable notebook available in Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and PDF (prints on standard paper 8.5″x11″)

You can change the color of the grid on the single pages but not on the notebooks.

Please note that the scale of the grid paper may diverge slightly as a result of your printer’s settings.

Graph Paper Template

Isometric Paper

Isometric graph paper (also known as 3D graph paper, Iso paper, or hexagonal graph paper) is a triangular grid paper that uses a series of three guidelines that form small triangles. The triangles are arranged in groups of 6 to form hexagons. The paper is used to create isometric art, 3D or mathematical drawings, etc.

The isometric grid lines are black but you can change the color to any color you want. You can download the graph paper background as an image, a Word file, or a PDF document.

isometric paper

Isometric Graph Paper Notebook:

Word | PDF | Powerpoint


1 Inch Graph Paper

This 1-inch graph paper printable has large 1-inch squares. It can be used for many purposes at school or home. You can use it to draw or sketch since the squares make it easy to create or copy drawings.

1 Inch Graph Paper

1-Inch Graph Paper Notebook:

Word | PDF | Powerpoint

 

See instructions below on how to change the color of the 1-inch grid paper.


1/4 Inch Graph Paper

This 1/4 graph paper printable has four squares per inch (each square is 1/4 inch). It is also called 4×4 paper. It can be used for many purposes at home or at school for science, math, or art. Children who have trouble writing with lines often prefer to use this paper. The grid paper can be printed in any color. The 1/4 grid paper is often printed in light blue or gray. See instructions below on how to change the color of the grid paper.

1/4 Inch Graph Paper

Notebook: Word | PDF | Powerpoint

 


1/2 Inch Graph Paper

This 1/2 graph paper printable has two squares per inch (each square is 1/2 inch). It is also called 2×2 paper. See instructions below on how to change the color of the grid paper.

1/2 Inch Graph Paper

Notebook: Word | PDF | Powerpoint

 


Quad Grid Paper

This is similar to the 1/4 grid paper above but there is a bold line, every 4 squares, both vertically and horizontally. You can download and print this grid paper in any color.

quad grid

Grid Paper Notebook: Word | PDF | Powerpoint

 


5×5 Grid

This grid paper has 5 squares in each inch. You can download and print this grid paper in any color.

5x5 grid

Grid Paper Notebook: Word | PDF | Powerpoint

 


1 cm Graph Paper

This 1cm graph paper printable has squares that are 1 cm x 1 cm. It can be used for many purposes at school or home. You can use it to draw or sketch since the squares make it easy to create or copy drawings. It is also useful when you want to measure something in centimeters.

1cm graph paper

A4 Paper Notebook:

Word | PDF | Powerpoint

The notebook prints on A4 paper.


Polar Graph Paper

Polar coordinate graph paper has concentric circles (circles of different sizes with equal spacing between them).

Polar graph paper - 10 circles

10 concentric circles with coordinates

Polar graph paper - 10 circles - no coordinates

10 concentric circles with no coordinates

Polar graph paper - 7 circles

7 concentric circles with coordinates

Polar graph paper - 7 circles - no coordinates

7 concentric circles with no coordinates

Edit, Download & Print

You can easily create different versions of this circle graph paper. For example, if you would like to have four circles per page then make the circle smaller and duplicate it three times. Drag each circle to wherever you want it to appear.


Math Graph Paper

Coordinate Graph Paper

This paper has 4 quadrants and an x and y-axis.

coordinate graph paper
rectangle with x and y axis

Edit, Download & Print

Graph Paper with x and y-axis


Knitting Graph Paper

Since knitting stitches are rectangular and not square, you cannot use standard grid paper for knitting. This asymmetrical grid paper has rectangular grids which are similar to knitting stitches.

knitting graph paper

Knitting Notebook:

Word | PDF | Powerpoint

 


Cross Stitch Graph Paper

Cross stitch paper is used to draw or edit patterns to create cross stitch designs. It is best to use squares the size of your cross stitches. You can change the size of this paper by dragging it to the right to make the squares bigger or dragging it to the left to make them smaller.

cross stitch

Cross Stitch Notebook:

Word | PDF | Powerpoint

 


Dot Grid Paper

Dot grid paper is used for bullet journaling. There are two versions of this dotted paper. A full-sized printable dot grid paper (8.5″ x 11″) or a half-sized page with a double spread. Most bullet journals are half-size. If you are inserting the dot grid paper into a planner you will probably need the half size. If you are using the dot paper in a binder or loose-leaf, then you will probably prefer the full size.

dot grid

 

Dot Grid Journal: Word | PDF | Powerpoint

 


Hexagon Grid

Hexagonal graph paper has hexagons instead of squares. Hexagon paper is used to map geometrically tiled or tessellated designs. You can change the color of the hex grid. You can also add text and/or images.

hexagon grid

 

Hexagon Notebook:

Word | PDF | Powerpoint

 

When you click the button above you will also find hex graph paper with a border.


Engineering Graph Paper

Engineering paper has 4, 5, or 10 squares per inch. Print the grid lines on the backside of each page so that they show faintly to the front side. Then when you flip, photocopy or scan your page the grid lines will not show up. This will make your drawing look clean and neat, as if you didn’t use a grid at all.

1/4 inch graph paper

1/4″ Grid Paper

5 x 5 grid with border

1/5″ Grid Paper

 10 x 10 grid

10×10 Grid Paper

This template has a 10×10 grid (i.e. 10 squares per inch).

Change the color of the grid so that it is either very dark if you are using the grid lines on the backside of the page or very light if you want the grid background to be barely visible.

Edit, Download & Print


Grid Drawing

With the grid method drawing you use two grids to copy a picture. Grid paper drawings are much easier than freestyle drawings since you can use the grids as guidelines. They show you where each and every line should be drawn. You can see where it should start and where it should end.

Grid Drawing

 

grid drawing

Grid Drawing Notebook:

Word | PDF | Powerpoint

How to draw using a grid

The grid method makes drawing a picture much easier than drawing freehand with no guidelines. It helps you draw, enlarge or transfer an image.

  1. To use this method, click on “add image” and add the image that you want to copy or transfer.
  2. Add a grid over your reference image.
  3. Download and print it.
  4. Delete the image and print a blank grid. The grid must have the same ratio as the one you added to your image.
  5. You can use our drawing grid which has two sections: one for the reference image and a blank section for your drawing.
  6. Draw the image on the grid. Focus on one square at a time. Focus on copying all lines in that square and getting them to be the right size and in the correct place. Repeat this process until you have finished each square on the grid.

You can use this method to enlarge your image as long as the larger blank grid has an equal ratio. If the ratio is not the same then your transferred image will be distorted. How do you know if it is an equal ratio? You basically just need a square grid with an equal number of lines and columns. If you use our app and add the same grid to each side then you will be fine. Stretching the grid for the enlarged image will not change the ratio.


Custom Graph Paper

With our free app, you can customize your pages or notebooks to create custom logo grid paper with your logo and details. Teachers can add their names and class details. For example, if you are creating engineering paper you can add the engineer’s logo and details. There are thousands of options and they are all free!

FAQ

Edit, Download & Print

How to Use the Graph Paper Generator

  1. Click the button above to open the app.
  2. Select the grid paper template that you want to use. There are 8 different graph paper designs available.
  3. Change the color of the grid lines (optional).
  4. If you don’t want blank graph paper, then add text or images (optional).
  5. Download as an image or a PDF file.

how to make graph paper

How to Print Graph Paper

  1. Follow the steps above and download the printable graph paper PDF or image file (png or jpg).
  2. Open it on your computer and print it from there.
  3. It should be noted that there is an option to print it directly from the graph paper app without downloading it but some people find that it does not always fill the entire page. It depends on your printer settings and it might work for you.
  4. Please note that since the resolution is very high, you can print large graph paper if you need your paper to be bigger than standard paper (8.5″ x 11″).

How to Create Digital Graph Paper

Digital or virtual graph paper will be used online. Therefore, when you follow the steps above don’t download the paper in PDF format. Instead, choose one of the image file formats. Which one should you choose?

  • If you want to keep your background transparent then choose the png format.
  • If you don’t need a transparent background then choose either png or jpg format.

How to Add Text and/or Images

One of the advantages of the online graph paper templates is that you can add images and/or text before you print.

  • To add text, click on “Add Text”.
  • To add an image, click on “Add Image”. This is useful to create graph paper drawings and other kinds of graph paper art.

How to Change the Color of the Grid

The default color for the grid is black, however, you might want to change it to blue, green or you might want to make it lighter or darker. One of the advantages of DIY grid paper is that you have total control over the color of the lines or grids.

You can change the color of the grid to any color you want.

  1. Click on the grid to select it.
  2. Select any color.