Graph Paper

Ways to use it in class

• Plot points. Choose Coordinate axes and plot ordered pairs in all four quadrants, then join them into shapes.
• Area and perimeter. On 1 cm squares, children count squares for area and sides for perimeter, and see why they are different.
• Line up columns. One digit per square keeps long addition, subtraction and multiplication tidy.
• Draw in three dimensions. Isometric dots make cubes and stacked-block drawings possible without a ruler.

Questions teachers ask

How do I print graph paper?

Choose the kind of paper, the square size, the page and its direction, then press Print. In the print window set Scale to 100% (not Fit to page) and turn Headers and footers off, so the squares print at the size you picked.

What size squares should I choose?

Quarter inch or 5 mm squares suit most classwork and fit a lot on a page. Half inch or 1 cm squares are easier for younger children and for graphs that need room to label. One inch squares work for large posters and area models.

What is the difference between grid, dot and axes paper?

Grid paper has a line at every square, which is best for graphs and area. Dot paper marks only the corners, so shapes stand out. Axes paper adds a bold x-axis and y-axis with numbers, ready for plotting points in all four quadrants. Isometric dots help with 3D drawings.

Will the squares really be the size I picked?

Yes, if the browser prints at 100% scale. The page is drawn in real millimeters, so a 1 cm square is 1 cm on paper. Check one square with a ruler the first time.