Blank handwriting paper
Free Printable Handwriting Paper, 3 Line Sizes
Lined paper for children learning to write: a top line, a dotted mid line and a base line, with space under each row for tails. 3 line heights for ages 3 to 7 and up, 6 PDFs in A4 and US Letter. One page each, print as many as you need.
Pick a size
Wide, medium or narrow lines
Bigger lines for smaller hands. Move down a size when the letters sit on the line without help, usually once a year.
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Wide lines
7 rowsFor ages 3 to 5
Tall rows for first letters and big movements. Room for 6 or 7 letters per line.
Download PDF -
Medium lines
10 rowsFor ages 5 to 7
The usual school size. Matches the rows on the letter tracing sheets.
Download PDF -
Narrow lines
14 rowsFor ages 7 and up
Close to exercise book ruling, for words and short sentences.
Download PDF
Each PDF is one page. Paper size: A4.
Why 3 lines
What each line is for
Plain lined paper gives a child one line to sit on and nothing to say how tall a letter should be. Three lines fix that, and the dotted middle one is the key.
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Top line
Where tall letters (b, d, h, k, l, t) and every capital start. Solid and pale.
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Dotted mid line
Where small letters (a, c, e, m, n, o) stop. The dots make it easy to see without being mistaken for a line to write on.
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Base line
Where every letter sits. Solid and dark, so the eye finds it first.
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Space below
Room for the tails of g, j, p, q and y. Each row has a gap under the base line so descenders do not crash into the row beneath.
Questions
Before you print
- Which line size do I need?
- Wide lines (7 rows a page) for ages 3 to 5 and first letters. Medium lines (10 rows) for ages 5 to 7, the same spacing as our letter tracing sheets. Narrow lines (14 rows) from about age 7, for words and sentences. If in doubt, go one size bigger than you think.
- Is this the same ruling as the tracing worksheets?
- Yes. The medium paper matches the 26 letter tracing sheets exactly: top line, dotted mid line, base line, same heights. A child can move from tracing to blank paper without the letters changing size.
- Can I print it for a whole class?
- Yes. The paper is free for home and classroom use, as many copies as you need. Please do not sell it or host it on another site; link here instead.
- A4 or US Letter?
- Both are included. A4 in the UK, Europe and Australia; US Letter in the US and Canada. Pick with the toggle and every download on this page switches.
Something to write on the lines: the 4 alphabet tracing packs, the number tracing worksheets, or hold the pencil right first with the pencil grip guide.
Coming soon to iOS
Practise on screen: Letter Tracing App coming soon
When the paper runs out, the same three lines are on screen in the Letter Tracing App, with Penny the Pencil showing where each stroke starts.
Notify me at launch