Hanzi Sheets
Chinese Writing Grid Paper (Printable)
The grid is the point: 田, 米 or 井 guides turn “drawing characters” into structured writing. Print blank paper, or paper with this week's characters pre-loaded.
These buttons open the generator in “All blank” mode — empty grids with reference words in the row headers. Delete the words for pure blank practice.
No sign-up · Free every day · 10 / 13 / 16 mm cells
The three grids, compared
田字格 (tian) — one horizontal and one vertical center line. The default in mainland primary schools and the right starting grid for any child: the cross shows where the center of each character belongs. 米字格 (mi) — adds both diagonals, giving eight guide regions; the diagonals tame the slanting strokes 撇 and 捺 in characters like 人, 木, 大. 井字格 (jing) — nine equal parts, useful for complex characters where overall proportion matters more than single-stroke angles. A plain box (口) is available too, for learners weaning off guides. The tian zi ge page goes deeper on the pedagogy.
Blank paper vs practice sheets
Blank grid paper is for free writing: copying from a textbook, composing sentences, or a parent calling out words for dictation. With the trace ratio at "All blank" every cell prints empty and only the row headers carry the reference words — delete them and the page is pure grid. Practice sheets (model + tracing + blanks) are for learning new characters. Most families print both: a sheet to learn this week's words, and blank paper for everything else. The practice sheets page covers the traced side.
Cell size and printing
Choose 16 mm cells for under-8s, 13 mm for most primary-school children, 10 mm for fluent writers and adult note-taking. Paper is A4 or US Letter, portrait or landscape — landscape fits more grids per row. Grids print in light gray (print-forced backgrounds), so pencil ink stays clearly visible on top, and the saved PDF keeps exact cell geometry.
FAQ
Can I print completely blank grid paper?
Yes — set the trace-to-blank ratio to 'All blank' and every grid prints empty. Row headers still list the reference words; clear the word box for pure blank grids.
Which grid should my child start with?
田字格 (tian). Its center cross is the standard beginner grid in Chinese primary schools. Move to 米字格 when slanting strokes need taming, and 井字格 for complex characters.
What cell sizes are available?
10, 13 and 16 mm. 16 mm for children under about 8, 13 mm for most primary-school writers, 10 mm for fluent writers.
Does the grid paper work on US Letter?
Yes — A4 and US Letter, portrait and landscape. The generator sets the page size automatically; the printed grid geometry is exact.