---
title: "Chinese Writing Paper: Free Printable 田字格, 米字格, Pinyin and Composition Paper (PDF)"
description: "Print free Chinese writing paper: 田字格 and 米字格 grids in three box sizes, pinyin paper with four lines over each box, and 400-square composition paper (作文纸) that lays out an essay the way teachers mark it. Save as PDF."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/chinese-writing-paper"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

Free · Printable · PDF

# Chinese writing paper

Pick a paper and print it, or type an essay to see it on composition paper.

Paper

Box size

## 田字格 or 米字格?

田字格 (tiánzìgé) splits each box into four, as Chinese schoolbooks do, so a character’s parts sit in the right place. 米字格 (mǐzìgé) adds the diagonals, which help with slanted strokes like 人 and 火. Start with 田字格; take small boxes once your characters are steady.

## How do I write on composition paper?

Composition paper (作文纸, zuòwénzhǐ) has 20 squares a row and 400 a sheet. The title is centred on the first line; each paragraph starts two squares in; every character and every punctuation mark takes a square; two letters or digits share one. A comma or full stop never starts a line: it goes in the last square of the line before, with the character there. The numbers at the edge count every hundred squares, so you can see how long your essay is.

## How many characters is my essay?

Type it under 作文纸 and the count shows as you type: every square it fills, punctuation included, the way teachers count a 400 or 800 character essay.

## What is pinyin writing paper?

Each box has a band of four lines above it, three spaces like English handwriting paper, for the pinyin: tall letters like b and d reach the top line, g and y hang into the bottom space, and the tone mark sits above the vowel.

## How do I print it or save a PDF?

Print opens your browser’s print window. Choose your printer, or Save as PDF to keep it, put it in GoodNotes or send it to a class. Every sheet fits A4 and US Letter.

## More free tools

- [Character worksheet maker](https://mandarinthewild.com/chinese-character-worksheet)
- [Handwriting practice](https://mandarinthewild.com/chinese-handwriting-practice)
- [Letters and emails in Chinese](https://mandarinthewild.com/chinese-letter-writing)
- [Character counter](https://mandarinthewild.com/chinese-character-counter)

Drawn to print at its size on A4 or US Letter. Nothing you type is kept.