Printable four line paper for English handwriting
The four line ruling Indian schools use to teach English handwriting: sets of four lines with a gap between them. Small letters sit between the two blue lines; tall letters reach up to the top red line and tails drop to the bottom one.
- Red and blue, or grey
- 5, 4 or 3 mm line gap
- A4 or Letter PDF
Print at 100 % (“Actual size”) so the spacing stays true.
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How to print four line paper
- 01
Pick the line gap and colours
5 mm for nursery and KG, 4 mm for classes 1 and 2, 3 mm for older children.
- 02
Choose your paper
US Letter or A4, whichever is in your printer.
- 03
Download and print
A vector PDF of four line paper; print as many copies as you need at 100 %.
How to write on four lines
- The two blue lines in the middle hold the small letters: a, c, e, m, n, o, r, s, u, v, w, x and z.
- Capitals and tall letters (b, d, f, h, k and l) go up to the top red line.
- The tails of g, j, p, q and y go down to the bottom red line.
- Each set is followed by a blank gap, so one row's tails never run into the next row's tall letters.
- Start with the 5 mm gap and move to 4 mm and 3 mm as the letters get smaller and steadier.
- Print at 100 % (“Actual size”) so the lines come out at their true size; “Fit to page” shrinks them.
Questions people ask
What is four line paper?
Paper ruled in sets of four lines, used to teach children the height of each English letter. The middle band is for small letters, the band above for capitals and tall letters, and the band below for tails.
Which line do the letters sit on?
On the third line, the lower blue one. Small letters fill the space between the two blue lines; only the tails of g, j, p, q and y go below it.
Is this the same as a four line notebook from the shop?
It uses the same layout: four evenly spaced lines per set, red outside and blue inside, with a gap between sets. The gap differs between brands, so pick the one closest to your child's school notebook.
Can I print it on a black and white printer?
Yes. Choose “Grey” so all four lines print the same; red and blue lines print as two different greys on a black and white printer.
Which line gap is right for my child?
5 mm for ages 4 to 6 (nursery and KG), 4 mm for ages 6 to 8 (classes 1 and 2), and 3 mm from about age 8. Move down a size when the letters are steady.
Where do capital letters go on four line paper?
Capitals sit on the lower blue line and reach up to the top red line, the same height as tall letters such as b, d, h and l.
Is four line paper the same as three line handwriting paper?
No. Three line paper has a top line, a dashed middle line and a baseline. Four line paper adds a line below the baseline, so the tails of g, j, p, q and y have their own space. This page prints four lines.
What paper size should I print it on?
A4, the usual paper in Indian homes and schools, is chosen to start with. US Letter is there too; the lines keep the same spacing on both.