Ruled Paper - Generic Types

Generic Types

There are many types of ruled paper. Lines are drawn on paper according to the needs of the users. Some types of ruled paper are for calligraphy, making graphs, or writing music, whereas others are for teaching students how to write in a particular language or script, etc.

The type of ruling is not typically tied to any particular paper size. Instead, it is usually determined by the purpose, style of handwriting, and/or the language being written.

Lines on ruled paper are typically used as guidelines to help the user keep their writing or drawing consistent with a predetermined set of rules. Some generic categories of lined paper are as follows:

• Notebook paper (or Writing paper, Filler paper) is typically used for handwriting. It is produced in different layouts and sizes. The specific size and layout is determined by the need or region. The layout usually consists of evenly-spaced horizontal lines with vertical lines drawn to indicate s, the middle of the page, or sections of a line. The number of vertical lines varies by region. (see below)
• Graph paper is used for drafting, drawing, etc.
  • Quadrille ruled paper (colloquially, "quad paper") has horizontal and vertical lines which are both evenly-spaced over the entire page, creating a grid of squares. These evenly-spaced squares help to keep things lined up. In addition to creating graphs and diagrams, students often use graph paper to help keep numbers in columns when doing manual operations such as long division or long multiplication.
  • Semi-log ruled paper is similar to quadrille ruled, except the horizontal lines are drawn according to the logarithmic scale, and so the lines are not evenly spaced.
  • log-log ruled paper is similar to quadrille ruled, except that both the horizontal and vertical lines are drawn according to the logarithmic scale.
• Music manuscript paper is used when handwriting music. The most basic page is laid out with a series of five-line staves, each spanning the width of the page. Any musical notation (clefs, bars, notes, etc.) may be written in as desired by the artist. As notebook paper is to the written word, music manuscript paper is to the written score.