Printable millimetre graph paper
Set paper size, margin and line colour, click “Create PDF”, print. The grid is accurate to the millimetre and always ends on whole centimetres.
How it is calculated
Millimetre graph paper is used for plotting functions in maths and physics, recording measurements, sewing patterns or floor plans to scale. Here you create it yourself as a PDF – no ads on the sheet and in the colour you want. Looking for a quarter-inch or dot grid? Use the grid paper tool linked below.
How it works
- Choose the paper size (US Letter or A4) and orientation.
- Set the margin and line colour. Orange is traditional; light grey interferes least with your drawing.
- Click “Create PDF” and print at actual size (100 %).
- Check the 50 mm ruler with a real ruler.
How it is calculated
US Letter is 8.5 × 11 in = 215.9 × 279.4 mm because an inch is exactly 25.4 mm (NIST SP 811); A4 is 210 × 297 mm (ISO 216). In a PDF one point is 1/72 in (ISO 32000-1), so 1 mm = 72 / 25.4 ≈ 2.835 pt. The grid is the largest area of whole centimetres that fits inside the margins, centred on the page. Line weights: 0.1 mm (millimetres), 0.2 mm (5 mm), 0.35 mm (centimetres).
Honest limits
The PDF is exact – your printer may not be. Many print dialogs shrink pages to “Fit to page” by default, which throws the scale off by a few percent. Even good printers are often a few tenths of a millimetre out. For measuring tasks, always check the ruler.
Frequently asked questions
How do I print graph paper to scale?
In the print dialog choose “Actual size” or “100 %” and turn off “Fit to page”. Then measure the 50 mm check ruler.
Is there a Letter version?
Yes. US Letter (8.5 × 11 in) is the default on this page; A4 is also available.
Why doesn’t the grid reach the edge of the page?
Most printers cannot print to the very edge. The grid also ends on whole centimetres so that counting is easier.
Can I get inch graph paper?
This tool draws a metric grid. For a 1/4-inch style grid, use the grid paper tool and set the spacing to 6.35 mm (1/4 in).
Sources and legal basis
- ISO 216:2007 – Writing paper and certain classes of printed matter – Trimmed sizes – A and B series (A4 = 210 × 297 mm)
- Wikipedia – Letter (paper size): 8.5 × 11 in = 215.9 × 279.4 mm (ANSI/ASME Y14.1 size A)
- NIST SP 811 – Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (1 in = 25,4 mm exakt)
- Adobe – ISO 32000-1:2008 Document management – Portable document format (PDF 1.7)
- pdf-lib – Andrew Dillon (MIT)
As of:
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