Printable Wide Ruled Paper
Free PDF download with standard 8.7mm (11/32") line spacing — the roomier ruling used in elementary schools and preferred for larger handwriting.
Free download
Vector PDF — prints crisp at any resolution. No sign-up, no watermark.
What is wide ruled paper?
Wide ruled (or "legal ruled") paper spaces its horizontal lines 8.7mm — 11/32 of an inch — apart, with a red vertical margin line on the left. The extra room per line is why US elementary schools use it in the early grades: children still developing fine motor control get space to form letters properly without cramping.
It is not only for kids. Many adults with larger handwriting, and anyone who annotates between lines (teachers grading, editors marking up drafts), deliberately choose wide ruled for the breathing room.
Wide ruled vs college ruled
The only physical difference is spacing: 8.7mm for wide ruled versus 7.1mm for college ruled, which works out to roughly 29 lines versus 36 lines on a Letter page. If you are unsure which to pick, match it to handwriting size rather than age — our full college ruled vs wide ruled comparison covers this in detail.
Frequently asked questions
What is the line spacing on wide ruled paper?
Wide ruled paper uses 8.7mm line spacing — 11/32 of an inch — which fits about 29 lines on a US Letter page.
What grades use wide ruled paper?
US schools typically use wide ruled paper from roughly 1st through 4th grade, then transition students to college ruled once their handwriting becomes smaller and more consistent.
Can I make wide ruled paper with different colors or fonts?
Yes — open the free online generator, pick the Wide Ruled template, and customize line color, paper color, and spacing before printing or downloading your own PDF.