What millimeter paper is
A 1 mm grid where every fifth line is a little heavier and every tenth line heavier still. The guide lines let you count quickly: count whole centimeters along the heavy lines, then the leftover millimeters.
What it's used for
- Physics, chemistry and biology lab graphs.
- Drafting and scale drawings.
- Measuring irregular areas by counting 1 mm² squares.
- Sewing patterns and model making.
How to plot a graph on millimeter paper
- Find the largest value of each variable and choose a scale that uses most of the sheet, for example 1 cm = 10 units.
- Draw the axes on a heavy (centimeter) line and label the scale.
- Place each point by counting centimeters on the heavy lines and millimeters on the fine ones.
- Join the points or draw the line of best fit, as the task asks.
Orange or green lines are tradition: they keep pencil and ink easy to see. Switch to gray or blue in the generator if you plan to photocopy.
Other paper types
Frequently asked questions
What size are the squares on millimeter paper?
1 mm, with heavier guide lines every 5 mm and every 10 mm (1 cm).
Is it the same as engineering paper?
No. Engineering paper usually has 5 squares per inch (see 1/5 inch graph paper). Millimeter paper is metric, with 10 squares per centimeter.
Will a normal printer handle it?
Yes. Print the PDF at actual size; with a normal line weight any laser or inkjet printer reproduces it well.
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