Printable four-line handwriting paper for English letters
Groups of four lines and three spaces show exactly where each letter sits: tall letters reach the top line, small letters fill the middle space, and descenders drop into the bottom space.
18 rows · 3 mm line gap
Ready-to-print four-line handwriting paper templates
Print one as it is, download the PDF, or load it into the editor above to adjust it first.
Four lines · standard
Four lines · large
Primary 1/2″
Primary 3/4″
What is four-line handwriting paper?
Four-line, three-space paper (四线三格) is the standard exercise paper for learning to write English in China and much of Asia. The three spaces divide each row by letter height: ascenders such as b, d and h reach into the top space, letters like a, c and e fill the middle, and descenders such as g, p and y drop into the bottom space. The third line from the top is the baseline.
What four-line handwriting paper is used for
- Learning the English alphabet in primary school
- Copying vocabulary words and sentences
- Print and cursive handwriting practice
- Improving letter height and spacing before exams
Four-line handwriting paper on A4, Letter and other paper sizes
| Paper size | Printed area | At default settings |
|---|---|---|
| A4default210 × 297 mm | 180 × 267 mm | 18 rows · 3 mm line gap |
| US Letter8.5 × 11 in | 185.9 × 249.4 mm | 17 rows · 3 mm line gap |
| A5148 × 210 mm | 118 × 180 mm | 12 rows · 3 mm line gap |
| A3297 × 420 mm | 267 × 390 mm | 26 rows · 3 mm line gap |
| US Legal8.5 × 14 in | 185.9 × 325.6 mm | 22 rows · 3 mm line gap |
How to print four-line handwriting 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.
Four-line handwriting paper: frequently asked questions
Which line is the baseline?
The third line from the top. Most letters sit on it; letters like g, p and y drop below into the bottom space. Turn on “Red baseline” to highlight it.
How tall should the spaces be?
3 mm per space (9 mm per row) suits most students. Choose 4 mm for young beginners and 2.5 mm for older students with smaller handwriting.
How is it different from primary handwriting paper?
Four-line paper has three equal spaces. Primary handwriting paper, common in the US, uses a solid top line, a dashed midline and a baseline, with the descender space left between rows.