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Notebooks & journals

A notebook is only as good as the page in front of you. Here is how to match size, ruling, paper and binding to the way you actually write.

Start with size

A5 is the sweet spot for most people: big enough for meeting notes and weekly spreads, small enough to slip into a tote bag. A4 suits lectures, project planning and anyone who writes large. A6 pocket notebooks live in a coat pocket for shopping lists, ideas and phone numbers. B5, a little larger than A5, is popular with students who want more room without a full A4 book.

Then the ruling

Lined (ruled) pages keep prose neat. Squared or graph pages help with maths, science and diagrams. Plain pages give sketchers total freedom. Dot grid sits in between: the dots guide lines, boxes and lettering, yet fade into the background when you draw. That versatility is why dot grid is the usual choice for bullet journals.

Paper and binding

If you write with a fountain pen, gel pen or brush pen, look for heavier or smoother paper, roughly 90–120gsm, to reduce show-through and feathering. Stitched, thread-sewn bindings tend to open flat, which makes writing to the edge of the page easier. Hardbacks protect pages in a bag; softcovers are lighter and flex in the hand.

What to look for on the listing

  • Page size (A4, B5, A5, A6) and page count
  • Ruling: lined, squared, plain or dot grid, plus dot spacing (often 5mm)
  • Paper weight in gsm and whether it's described as fountain-pen friendly
  • Lay-flat or thread-sewn binding
  • Numbered pages and index pages (handy for bullet journals)
  • Ribbon markers, elastic closure and a back pocket

Notebook types to browse

Dot grid notebooks

Evenly spaced dots for journalling, lettering, tables and doodles. Look for 5mm spacing and paper around 100gsm or more if you use ink.

Shop now for Dot grid notebooks

Bullet journals

Dot grid books set up for the Bullet Journal method, usually with numbered pages, index pages and two or three ribbon markers.

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Journals versus notebooks

In shops the words overlap. A "journal" usually means a notebook intended for personal writing, planning or reflection, often with nicer covers and features such as ribbons and pockets. A "notebook" can be anything from a spiral-bound jotter to a leather-bound heirloom. If you're buying for a particular method, such as bullet journalling or morning pages, focus on ruling and paper rather than the name on the cover.

New to dotted pages? Our bullet journal starter walks through setting up your first book, and the paper weights guide explains what those gsm numbers mean in practice.

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Pens Pencils Planners & Diaries Desk Accessories Filing & Organisation Art & Sketch School Supplies Office Essentials Cards & Envelopes Washi Tape & Stickers Gifts for Stationery Lovers

Not sure where to start? Our paper weights guide and fountain pen guide are good first reads.