Paper sizes and margins

Choose the sheet in your printer

A4 is taller and narrower than US Letter. A5 is a smaller sheet. Match the PDF size to both the paper in the tray and the size selected in the print dialog.

Source: W3C: Named page sizes

Choose the page direction

Portrait places the shorter edge across the top. Landscape turns the page so the longer edge runs across the top.

Changing orientation gives you a different working area. It does not change the spacing between your lines or dots.

Leave space at the edges

Margins keep the pattern away from the edge. The default is 15 mm on each side. You can leave more room for a title, notes, or binder holes.

A complete grid may leave slightly more blank space than the margin you set. The tool keeps the spacing fixed instead of stretching the pattern to fill the page.

Your printer decides how close to the edge it can print. Check one sheet and increase a margin if marks are cut off.

Keep the grid size when you change paper

To switch from A4 to US Letter, change the page size in the generator and download a new PDF. This gives you the new page shape with the same grid spacing.

Use the actual-size printing guide if a finished print does not match the measurement you selected.