5mm spacing
5mm is a versatile metric spacing for math, engineering sketches, notes, and general diagramming.
Graph Paper Grid Spacing Guide – 5mm, 1cm & 1/4 Inch
Grid spacing is the distance between adjacent lines, not the size of the sheet. Compare grids at the same preview scale below, then download a PDF on Letter or A4. Screen previews are illustrative; print at 100% for physical accuracy.
Compare grid spacing
Metric presets start on A4; inch presets start on Letter. You can change the sheet below.
5 mm = 5 mm between lines · 5.08 squares per inch
Same 100 × 50 mm sample area for every option, scaled to your screen. The downloaded PDF uses the exact spacing.
Looking for A4, Letter or A3 dimensions? See paper sizes.
Check ten 5mm cells measure 50mm, or four 1/4 inch cells measure exactly one inch. Print at 100% / Actual Size.
1/4 inch spacing
1/4 inch spacing is common in US classrooms and gives four squares per inch.
1cm spacing
1cm spacing is larger and easier to count, making it useful for younger students, planning, and simple diagrams.
1mm, 2mm and 1/8 inch: fine grids
Use 1mm or 2mm for detailed metric plots. A 1/8 inch grid has eight squares per inch, with lines exactly 3.175mm apart. Fine lines print more clearly than heavy strokes on these dense grids.
1/2 inch and 1 inch: large squares
A 1/2 inch grid has two squares per inch (12.7mm); a 1 inch grid has 25.4mm squares. These give extra room for handwriting, counting, classroom activities and game maps.
5mm is not 1/4 inch
A quarter inch is exactly 6.35mm, so its cells are larger than 5mm cells. Choose the exact spacing required by your worksheet or drawing instead of treating them as interchangeable.
Specialty spacing
Dot grid, isometric, hexagon, polar, and log paper each use spacing differently. Choose the paper type based on the task rather than the number alone.