PJHTech PaperChoose your grid spacing
Start with the size of the marks you want to make. The grid should leave enough room for your writing or drawing.
Compare a few starting points
These are starting points, not requirements. Print a sample and use the spacing that fits your task.
| Spacing | Exact size | Try it when |
|---|---|---|
| 5 mm | 5 mm | You want a compact grid for notes or sketches. |
| 10 mm | 10 mm | You want more space inside each square. |
| ¼ inch | 6.35 mm | You need four squares per inch. |
| ⅛ inch | 3.175 mm | You need eight squares per inch. |
Keep the measurements distinct
A 5 mm grid and a ¼-inch grid are close in size, but they are not interchangeable. Four ¼-inch squares span one inch. Four 5 mm squares span 20 mm.
On square graph paper, spacing is the distance between neighboring lines. On square dot paper, it is the distance between the centers of neighboring dots.
Choose lines or dots
Use lines when you want the full grid visible. Use dots when you want alignment points with open space between them.
The grid measurement does not define the scale of your drawing. If one square represents a meter, an hour, or another value, add that label yourself.
Other patterns use other size settings
Isometric dot spacing measures the nearest pair of dots in a triangular grid. Hexagonal paper uses the length of one hexagon side. Read the size label before comparing these patterns.