Lined Paper Generator
Generate printable ruled paper in A4 or US Letter, with narrow, college, standard, or wide line spacing, and an optional classic margin line.
About this lined paper generator
Ruled paper spacing varies more by region and habit than most people realize, which is why this generator leads with the actual millimeter measurement rather than assuming everyone uses the same US classroom terms. 6 mm ("narrow ruled" in the US) suits dense, small handwriting; 7 mm ("college ruled") is the common choice for older students and adults; 8 mm is the standard, most widely used spacing outside the US; and 9 mm ("wide ruled") gives early writers or anyone with larger handwriting more room per line.
The optional margin line reproduces the vertical rule found on classic American notebook paper — a line set a fixed distance in from the left edge, traditionally used to mark where the main writing area begins, leaving space for margin notes, hole-punching, or a teacher's comments. It's off by default since plenty of ruled paper worldwide doesn't include it, but toggle it on and you can set exactly how far from the edge it sits, along with its own color, independent of the horizontal rule color.
As with the other printable pages here, spacing is generated using real physical measurement units rather than a fixed image, so the line spacing you choose is the spacing that actually prints. Check that your print dialog is set to 100% scale (not "fit to page") before printing, or the spacing will come out slightly different from what you selected.
Nothing you configure here is uploaded anywhere; the page is generated entirely in your browser.
The margin line is drawn as its own element rather than baked into the ruled-line pattern, which is why it can sit at any distance from the edge and in any color without disturbing the horizontal rule spacing at all — the two are entirely independent of each other under the hood.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between narrow, college, and wide ruled?
These are US classroom terms for line spacing: narrow ruled is about 6 mm apart, college ruled about 7 mm, and wide ruled about 9 mm. Outside the US, 8 mm spacing is more commonly the default, which is why it's offered here alongside the US terms.
What is the margin line for?
It's the vertical rule found on classic American notebook paper, marking where the main writing area begins and leaving a strip on the left for margin notes or hole-punching. It's optional here and off by default.
Can I change the margin line's position and color separately from the ruled lines?
Yes. Once enabled, the margin line has its own distance-from-edge setting and its own color, independent of the horizontal rule spacing and color.
Will the line spacing print at the exact size I chose?
Yes, as long as your print dialog is set to 100% scale or "actual size" rather than "fit to page," which some printers default to and which would shrink or stretch the spacing slightly.
Can I save this as a PDF instead of printing on paper?
Yes. In the print dialog that opens, choose "Save as PDF" (or "Microsoft Print to PDF" on Windows) instead of a physical printer.