Centimeter graph paper (free printable, metric)
A full page of one-centimeter squares with a darker line every fifth line, snapped to whole squares. Change the size to five millimeters or an inch if you need to.
To save a PDF, choose Print, then “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints.
About this sheet
Metric squares make metric work visible: a rectangle that is five squares by three is five centimeters by three, and its area is fifteen square centimeters, with no conversion. The darker line every fifth square turns the page into a ruler for the eyes, and counting by fives comes naturally. The grid is drawn to the true size of a centimeter, which is 0.3937 of an inch, so a ruler laid against the page matches the squares when it is printed at 100 percent. The page works for area and perimeter, for measuring and drawing to scale, for graphs, and for any lesson where students need a square unit they can count.
Grades: 2 to 8. Best in: September, October, January.
How to use it
- Leave the size at one centimeter and the darker line on, or change them. Turn the heading off for a full page.
- Print at 100 percent, with no fit to page, so each square measures a centimeter. Check one square with a ruler.
- Students draw shapes along the grid lines, count squares for area and the sides for perimeter, and record what they find.
Five ideas for class
- Draw every rectangle with an area of twelve square centimeters and list their sides. The factor pairs of twelve appear on their own.
- Compare perimeter and area: draw two shapes with the same area and different perimeters, and discuss which is longer around.
- Measure an object with a ruler, draw it on the grid at the same size, and check the measurement against the squares.
- Make a scale drawing of the classroom, where one square stands for ten centimeters, and have students find the area on the page.
- Use it for line graphs and scatter plots, where the darker lines mark a scale of five or ten.
Related
Questions
Is the square exactly one centimeter?
Yes, when printed at actual size. A centimeter is 0.3937 inch, and the grid is drawn to that length. Check one square against a ruler after printing.
Why a darker line every fifth line?
It helps students count and measure by fives, and keeps long lines straight when drawing. Turn it off if you prefer a plain grid.
What about millimeter paper?
Choose five millimeters for finer work. For true millimeter paper, a printer-quality grid is best bought, as ink on a one-millimeter grid is hard to read.
How do I save it as a PDF?
Choose Print, then pick “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints: the page around it is hidden. You can also save a sheet as a PNG image under the preview.
Can I print it in black and white?
Yes. Switch to Black and white beside the sheet: fills turn white and lines turn black, so it saves ink and photocopies cleanly.
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