Cornell Notes Templates Word, Google Docs, Typeable PDF, Image
Use any of these free printables for the Cornell method of note-taking.
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
(See the 9-page notebook below)
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
MS Word | Typeable PDF | Google Docs | Image
Our free Cornell Notes templates will save you time and help you use the Cornell method effectively.
Printable Notebook
This is a 9 Page Cornell Notes notebook. Make additional copies of each page according to the number of copies you need.
9 Pages: Color Code and 8 Templates with 8 Colors: Word | PDF | Google Docs
You can either print the Cornell notebook and write your notes or type on it before you print it.
Taking notes is inevitable for university students, but not all notes are created equally. A messy page of scrawled impressions isn’t going to help you as much as a well-thought-out and carefully organized sheet detailing what you learned and what you still need to know. Cornell Notes are great for improving your critical thinking skills and learning to manage your notes visually, making them easier to understand and review. By highlighting the most important information and keywords, you are more likely to remember the lesson.
How to Use The Template
Using your Cornell notes template should be relatively simple. Once you have downloaded a template, save one blank copy to a file or folder where you’ll have no trouble accessing it. When you need to take notes, print a copy and write your notes in your own handwriting. It is much more effective to write your summary than to type it. When you type you don’t always process the information. It is passive listening and you often just type what you hear. On the other hand, when you write your summary you need to think about what to write and therefore it is a form of active listening. You process the information and summarize it instead of just repeating it as you often do when you type.
If you prefer to type your notes then open your blank template and fill in the sections using Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or a similar program. You can also just open the typeable PDF and fill in the details. You can save each page under a unique name while maintaining the original template frequently.
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you take better Cornell Notes.
- Write your notes instead of typing them.
- Avoid long sentences. The best notes use a lot of abbreviations, symbols, and short forms to fit more on the page.
- Line up your Keywords and Questions with notes in the other column that are relevant and help clarify that point.
- Cover the main body of your notes to review your questions and concepts by answering them in detail, or you can cover your keywords and review them aloud based on what the notes indicate. Doing this will help you cover the subject thoroughly, learning the terminology and the essential facts.
- Summarizing is an essential skill all about finding a way to express your thoughts and observations briefly. Talented summarizers called gisters help condense the daily news, issues that require addressing, and other essential information for politicians, CEOs of major corporations, and other similarly busy people. Learning to do this for yourself allows you to review and research critical points in your studies much faster than if you had to start from scratch or read dozens of pages of transcription.
Cornell Notes Format
Below is an example of what a Cornell Notes Template looks like and what to place in each section. Some areas are apparent and easy to fill in, while others are more abstract and require you to pare down the information you’ll receive into a more palatable set of simplified notes. You can change the Topic section to read Class or Professor if it is easier to understand at a glance. We also offer color-coded templates so that you can color-code each subject or topic. There are 12 different layouts available below.
The Cornell Notes format is simple to create because it has only four sections. You will have a header section at the top and a few lines at the bottom of the page to make your summary. Most of the page is split 30/70 between your keywords and questions column and the body of your notes. Here are more details about each section.
1. Heading- The heading should tell you precisely what you are looking at. Your name, the subject, the date, and the note page number belong at the top of the page in large print.
2. Keywords and Questions- On the left side of the page, you will have space to keep track of the most important words. Add questions to quiz yourself and further expand your comprehension of the subject through research.
3. Notes and Important Concepts- The right vertical column or main section is the largest because this is where you’ll add the main body of your notes. This is where you must include all the main points and important concepts. Abbreviations are recommended to help save space.
4. Summary- Even if you need additional pages to finish taking all your notes for a single lecture or class, you should still summarize your notes for each page. This helps you to think critically about what matters the most and how to express it concisely. Moreover, you can avoid repeating information you already recorded because checking to see what you wrote only takes a brief moment as you read the summary.
See Cornell notes example above.
Labeling Your Notes
Some students prefer to label these 2 columns differently. You may see them listed as the Recall or Review Column and the Main Thoughts Column or a similar variation. The format is more important than the labels you place on it. If you do want to change the titles then edit them with MS Word or Google Docs.
Available Formats
MS Word
The Word version is perfect if you want to edit the template, change the titles or make other changes and you use Microsoft Word.
The Cornell Notes PDF version is fillable or typeable. You don’t need special software to type on it (it will work on any PDF reader which is already installed on most computers). You can also use the PDF version to create digital Cornell Notes.
Image Version
The image versions are perfect if you don’t want to make any changes and you want to use the templates as-is.
Google Docs
The Google Docs template is perfect for those who want to edit templates and use Google Docs. It is also handy when you want to share your Cornell notes with others.
How to Use the Cornell Notes Template in Google Docs
- Choose Your Template – Scroll through the available templates above (e.g. printable, PDF, Google Docs versions). Once you have selected the template you want to use, click the button beneath that specific template. This will open format options.
- Select “Google Docs” – In the options that appear after clicking, select Google Docs as your preferred format. You’ll be prompted to make a copy of the document into your Google Drive.
- Make a Copy into Google Drive – A pop-up (you’ll need to be logged into your Google account) will ask: “Would you like to make a copy?”. Click “Make a copy”. This places the editable template into your own Drive.
- Customize the Template
The template uses the standard Cornell layout:
- Left sidebar (cue/keywords/questions)
- Right side (detailed notes)
- Bottom row (summary section)
(Optional) Manual Setup – Creating Your Own Cornell Notes Template in Google Docs
If you prefer building manually:
- In Google Docs, use the Insert → Table command to create a 2‑column table with several rows.
- Adjust the left column to about 30% width (for cues/questions) and the right column to 70% (for notes).
- At the bottom, insert an extra row or table beneath for the summary section.
FAQ
The Cornell method is a structured note taking system developed at Cornell University. It divides a page into three sections: a narrow left column for cues or questions, a larger right column for main notes, and a summary section at the bottom. This method helps organize information clearly and makes reviewing and studying more effective.
Cornell University Education Professor Walter Pauk created the Cornell Notes system in the 1950s to help students organize and summarize the notes they take in classes. This well-respected system is easy to learn. By breaking the page into four primary sections, not only is the information neatly organized, but it is also easy to review. The keywords and questions area lets you expand upon anything you need to delve into more deeply. However, most of the page is dedicated to the information collected during the class.
When using the Cornell system, you first take notes in the main section during a lecture or while reading. Afterward, you write key questions or keywords in the left column to help with review. Finally, you summarize the main ideas at the bottom of the page. This structure encourages active learning and better retention.
A Cornell notes template typically includes a title at the top, a right-hand column for detailed notes, a left-hand column for cues or questions, and a bottom section for a summary. Some templates also include a space for the date or subject.
Start by writing notes in the right-hand column while listening. After the lecture, fill in keywords or questions in the left-hand column based on your notes. Then, write a short summary at the bottom to capture the main ideas. Reviewing the cue questions later helps reinforce what you learned.
Yes, the Cornell method is especially popular among university and college students. It helps break down large amounts of information, promotes active recall when studying, and creates a ready-to-use study guide without needing to rewrite notes.
Yes, you can customize a Cornell notes template to fit any subject. For example, for science classes you might focus more on processes and definitions, while for literature classes you might use the cue column for themes or character notes.
The Cornell system improves organization, encourages active learning through summarization, and makes studying more efficient. It also helps identify important concepts quickly when reviewing notes later.
The summary section should briefly cover the main points of the notes on the page. A few sentences are usually enough. The goal is to synthesize the material in your own words, helping you better understand and remember it.
Yes, the Cornell note taking method works very well for reading assignments. You can take notes in the right column as you read, write questions or themes in the cue column, and then summarize the chapter or section at the bottom. Some of the free templates above are specifically for reading assignments and books.
Traditional note taking often involves writing long, unstructured paragraphs. The Cornell method organizes information into sections, encouraging you to process and review information as you take notes, rather than just recording it passively.
Yes, printable Cornell notes templates are available as an image file and in PDF, Word, and Google Docs formats. You can download a template, print it, and start taking notes immediately without having to set up the structure yourself.
Cornell Note-Taking Method
The Cornell Note Taking Method breaks your pages into four basic areas.- At the top is a large section for a title and the date.
- Below that, the main body of your page is split into two vertical columns, roughly 30% of the page on the left and 70% on the right. These sections will be for your keywords and questions on the left and notes from the class with main ideas and essential concepts on the right.
- Finally, at the bottom, you will summarize your notes briefly so you can review the whole page in a minute or two.
In addition to the handy format, Cornell Notes uses a process for note-taking that helps you remember the information better. Not only will you write down what you are learning, but you’ll have to use the data later as you review, so critical thinking is essential. You must listen for the main ideas and ensure you get all the main concepts and keywords and any questions you may need to answer as you study and find a way to boil that information down to just a few sentences for your summary.
How to Take Cornell Notes
Taking Cornell Notes boils down to five basic concepts: Record, reduce, recite, reflect, and review. These basic concepts are all you need to take better, easier-to-review, and more organized notes. Below we’ll explain each concept and show you how it impacts and improves your note-taking.
Record – The record part of note-taking is universal. In this case, you’ll have two columns instead of a big blank sheet, but either way, you need to write or type what you learn. Keywords and questions go on the left, and expanded notes with essential information are on the right.
Reduce – Reducing your notes involves minimizing and compiling your information into a more condensed format. Add questions and thoughts to direct your studies as you expand your understanding later.
Recite – Cover the right column with your keywords and concepts and attempt to repeat the information. What was the most vital point you wrote down? Say it out loud so you can hear the facts repeated.
Reflect – Reflection is about contemplating the information you gathered and expanding on it through study. Seek out new information and clarify anything that you weren’t sure about.
Review – Go over your notes periodically to help retain the information. Research any new questions you may have due to these review sessions.
Summary
The Cornell method is superb for helping you memorize and learn essential information from your classes and lectures. The simple, organized pages ensure that you cover all the core concepts, keywords, and questions, so you can review in moments and follow up on everything you need to learn more about. The ability to focus and summarize your studies, easily see the information you have already gathered and quickly find any page of your notes will reduce wasted time and help you memorize better. Since there is an integrated system for self-reviewing your notes, it’s easy to determine which concepts you understand and what areas need more focus and research. Using this simple, four-section format for your note pages will keep your studies on track, and choosing a pre-formatted template will keep those notes consistent, organized, and easy to locate.
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I’ll try them. thank you
Thank you! I think this might work for saving notes for my novel.
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