Printable college ruled paper
Narrower 9/32 inch lines fit more writing on each page. It is the standard ruling for high school and college notebooks in the US.
36 lines · 0.2813″ apart
Ready-to-print college ruled paper templates
Print one as it is, download the PDF, or load it into the editor above to adjust it first.
College ruled
Wide ruled
Narrow ruled
8 mm
What is college ruled paper?
College ruled paper, sometimes called medium ruled, has horizontal lines 9/32 inch (about 7.1 mm) apart with a vertical margin line on the left. It is the most common ruling in American notebooks for students from middle school up. With half-inch margins, a US Letter page holds 36 lines.
What college ruled paper is used for
- Lecture notes and study guides
- Essays and homework from middle school to college
- Journals and to-do lists for smaller handwriting
- Binder refills when you run out of notebook paper
College ruled paper on A4, Letter and other paper sizes
| Paper size | Printed area | At default settings |
|---|---|---|
| US Letterdefault8.5 × 11 in | 7.5 × 10 in | 36 lines · 0.2813″ apart |
| A4210 × 297 mm | 7.2677 × 10.6929 in | 39 lines · 0.2813″ apart |
| A5148 × 210 mm | 4.8268 × 7.2677 in | 26 lines · 0.2813″ apart |
| A3297 × 420 mm | 10.6929 × 15.5354 in | 56 lines · 0.2813″ apart |
| US Legal8.5 × 14 in | 7.5 × 13 in | 47 lines · 0.2813″ apart |
How to print college ruled paper at actual size
- 01
Click “Download PDF” and open the file in your PDF viewer.
- 02
In the print dialog, set the scale to 100% or “Actual size”, not “Fit to page”.
- 03
Choose the paper size that matches your settings and print. Measure one square or line with a ruler to check.
College ruled paper: frequently asked questions
How far apart are college ruled lines?
9/32 inch, about 7.1 mm. Wide ruled lines are 11/32 inch (about 8.7 mm) apart, and narrow ruled lines 1/4 inch.
How many lines are on a college ruled page?
About 36 lines on US Letter with half-inch margins, and 39 on A4. Store-bought notebooks often have a few fewer because they leave a wider header at the top.
Is college ruled the same as medium ruled?
Yes. “Medium ruled” and “college ruled” both describe 9/32 inch line spacing.