Best Page Sizes for iPad Note-Taking

When you're creating a note-taking template for GoodNotes or Notability, the page size you choose makes a bigger difference than most people expect. Pick the wrong one and your template will have white borders, or worse — it'll tile incorrectly and look nothing like you intended. This guide covers every iPad model and explains exactly which size to use in each situation.

The two approaches to page size

There are two fundamentally different ways to think about page size for iPad templates:

• Native iPad size — Match the template exactly to your iPad's screen dimensions. The template fills the page edge-to-edge with no borders. Best for digital-only notebooks.
• Paper size (A4, Letter, etc.) — Use a standard paper size that matches real-world documents. The template may have small side margins on screen, but it prints perfectly and looks like a real notebook. Best if you ever print or share your notes.

Neither approach is wrong — they suit different workflows. Here's how to choose the right size for your setup.

Native iPad sizes: by device

If you want a template that fills your iPad screen edge-to-edge, use the exact dimensions for your model. GridDrop includes these as presets:

iPad Model	Screen Size	GridDrop Preset
iPad Pro 13" (M4)	1032 × 1376 pt	iPad Pro 13"
iPad Pro 11" (M4)	834 × 1194 pt	iPad Pro 11"
iPad Air 13" (M2)	1032 × 1376 pt	iPad Pro 13"
iPad Air 11" (M2)	834 × 1194 pt	iPad Pro 11"
iPad (10th gen)	820 × 1180 pt	Custom: 820×1180
iPad mini (7th gen)	744 × 1133 pt	Custom: 744×1133
Standard iPad (9th gen)	768 × 1024 pt	iPad (768×1024)

For iPad models not listed above, or to double-check your device, you can look up the exact point dimensions in Apple's tech specs and enter them using GridDrop's Custom Size option.

Standard paper sizes: when to use them

Standard paper sizes (A4, Letter, A5, etc.) are the right choice when any of the following apply:

• You sometimes print your notes or share them as PDFs
• You want your notebook to look like a physical notebook or planner
• You're making a template based on a real-world format (like a university lecture notebook or a business notepad)
• You use your notes across multiple devices with different screen sizes

A4 (210 × 297mm)

The most widely used paper size outside North America. A4 is slightly taller and narrower than US Letter. It's the right choice if you're in Europe, Asia, or Australia, or if your notes ever need to match standard documents. On an iPad, A4 will have small side margins — this is normal and intentional.

US Letter (8.5 × 11in)

The standard paper size in North America. Slightly wider and shorter than A4. Use Letter if you're in the US or Canada and your notes need to match printed documents or be compatible with US-format PDFs.

A5 (148 × 210mm)

Half the size of A4. A5 is a popular choice for smaller, more personal notebooks — journals, planners, and pocket notebooks. On an iPad Pro, an A5 template will have significant margins on all sides, giving a "notebook on a desk" feel that some people love. It also prints perfectly on half a sheet of A4.

B5 (176 × 250mm)

A lesser-known size popular in Japan and among stationery enthusiasts. B5 is slightly larger than A5 but smaller than A4, making it one of the most comfortable sizes for handwriting on an iPad Pro 13". It fills most of the screen without running to the edges, and it matches many physical notebooks sold by brands like Kokuyo, Maruman, and Stalogy.

The best size for most people

If you're not sure which to pick, here's a simple recommendation based on common setups:

Your situation	Best size
iPad Pro 13", digital-only notes	iPad Pro 13" native preset
iPad Pro 11", digital-only notes	iPad Pro 11" native preset
Any iPad, notes you print or share	A4 or Letter
Any iPad, journal or planner	A5 or B5
GoodNotes, want edge-to-edge fill	Your specific iPad's native size
Notability, any device	Any — Notability scales templates automatically

Portrait vs landscape

Most note-taking is done in portrait orientation, and most templates are designed for portrait. However, landscape can work well for specific use cases — Cornell Notes in landscape gives you a very wide notes column, which some people prefer for detailed technical notes. Meeting notes in landscape also leave room for diagrams alongside text.

GridDrop supports both orientations for every size. If you primarily use your iPad in landscape mode on a keyboard, it's worth making a landscape version of your favourite template.

Special sizes worth knowing about

GridDrop includes a few less obvious sizes that are genuinely useful:

• Field Notes (3.5 × 5.5in) — Matches the iconic Field Notes pocket notebook. Good for a compact daily carry template.
• Traveler's Notebook (110 × 210mm) — A narrow, tall format that gives a distinctive journaling feel.
• Half Letter (5.5 × 8.5in) — Half a US Letter sheet, printed two-up. Useful for making small booklets.

A note on resolution

Whatever size you choose, GridDrop exports all templates at 3× the point dimensions — which is the Retina resolution used by all modern iPads. This means lines will always look sharp and crisp on screen, with no pixelation even when you zoom in while writing.