testpageforprinter
Preview of the Grid test page

Grid printer test page

A free grid test page with a 5 mm grid, diagonals and circles, so you can see whether lines print straight, square and evenly spaced from edge to edge.

Print now

Opens the PDF. Use Print or Share from there.

Download PDF

Print one copy first. This PDF does not measure ink or toner use.

Free PDF. No sign-up. Ready to print.

Read your result

In the print dialog, choose Actual size or 100% and turn off Fit to page.In the print screen, choose Actual size or 100% (not Fit).

What each part checks

  1. A 5 mm grid

    Fine lines every 5 mm, stronger every 10 mm and 50 mm, numbered along the top. Gaps and uneven spacing show feed problems.

  2. Two diagonals

    Straight lines from corner to corner. Wavy or stepped diagonals show uneven paper feed.

  3. Concentric circles

    Four circles around the center. Squashed circles mean the page is stretched in one direction.

  4. Four 10 mm corner squares

    Each should measure 10 by 10 mm and look square.

  5. A 100 mm scale bar

    Measure it with a ruler to confirm the page printed at actual size.

  6. Numbered axes

    Numbers along the top edge help you point to where a problem starts.

How to read your print

Straight lines.
Every grid line should be straight. Bent or wavy lines point to an uneven paper feed.
Even spacing.
The squares should all be the same size. Squares that get taller or shorter down the page suggest a feed roller problem.
Round circles.
The four circles should be round. Ovals mean one axis is stretched.
Square corners.
The four corner squares should have right angles and measure 10 mm.

Keep the guide handy

The QR code on the printed sheet opens this page on your phone.

Print settings that matter

Print settings that matter

  • Print at actual size (100%)Choose Actual size or 100% and turn off Fit to page, or the grid will be scaled and the numbers will be wrong.
  • Use plain, flat paperCurled or damp paper feeds unevenly and can bend lines. Use fresh paper from a sealed pack.
  • Print at standard qualityHigh quality on some printers slows the feed and can reveal or hide banding. Standard is the baseline.

More printing tips

Related sheets

Read the full guide

What this grid printer test page is

This is a geometry sheet. It prints a 5 mm grid across the page, two diagonals, four circles and four corner squares. It tells you whether the printer lays lines straight, keeps them evenly spaced and holds the shape of the page from one side to the other.

When to use it

Use it when text lines look slightly slanted, when tables and forms do not line up, when an engineering drawing, a template or a pattern must keep its proportions, or when you suspect the paper feed. It complements the alignment and margins page, which concentrates on margins and clipping.

What good looks like

Every line is straight and every square is the same size. The diagonals run cleanly from corner to corner. The circles are round and the four corner squares are square.

Measure the 100 mm scale bar before judging the grid spacing. If it is short, follow the fixes for a printer printing too small and repeat the test at actual size.

What bad looks like

Lines that bend, drift or break show an uneven feed or a worn roller. A grid that gets wider or narrower from top to bottom suggests the paper skewed in the path. Ovals mean one axis is stretched. See misaligned print and banding. For exact measurement, use the printer ruler page.

Good questions

What does a grid test page show?
It shows whether lines print straight, whether spacing stays even from edge to edge and whether the page keeps its proportions. It is useful for spotting feed and scaling problems.
Why are my grid lines wavy?
Wavy lines usually come from an uneven paper feed, a worn or dirty roller, or paper that is curled or damp. Try fresh flat paper first.
Why are the circles oval?
One axis is stretched or shrunk, usually because the page was scaled or the wrong paper size was selected.
How is this different from the alignment page?
The alignment page has a 10 mm grid with nested margin frames, so it focuses on clipping and margins. This page has a finer grid and circles, so it focuses on geometry and feed.
Can I use it to check a laser printer?
Yes. Laser printers can also feed unevenly or skew the paper, and the grid shows it.

Also useful