田字格 · Practice paper
Free Chinese Writing Practice Paper: 田字格 Tian Grid Explained (Printable PDF)
Chinese children learn to write on special grid paper. The grid helps you place each stroke in the right spot and keep characters balanced and the same size.
The main types of practice paper
| Name | What it looks like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 田字格 tiánzìgé | A square split into four by dashed lines, like the character 田 | Beginners and everyday practice |
| 米字格 mǐzìgé | A 田 grid plus two diagonals, like the character 米 | Checking angled strokes such as 丿 and ㇏ |
| 拼音田字格 | Pinyin lines above each 田 box | Writing pinyin and character together |
| 四线三格 sì xiàn sān gé | Four lines making three spaces | Writing pinyin letters at the right height |
How to use a 田字格
- Find the centre. The dashed lines cross in the middle, and most characters are centred there.
- Use the guide lines. In 十, for example, the horizontal stroke sits on the horizontal dashed line.
- Fill the square, but not to the edges. Leave a small margin all round.
- Follow stroke order. The basics are top to bottom, left to right, horizontal before vertical, and outside before inside (close the box last).
- Little and often. Writing a character 5 times with care beats 30 times in a rush.
Printing tips
Print at 100% / "Actual size" so the boxes stay square. The free sample comes in both US Letter and A4. The full set adds a large beginner grid, 米字格, pinyin + 田字格 and 四线三格 pages.
Free sample 免费样张
1 printable page: 田字格 (tian grid) practice sheet with name and date line.
Download PDF – US Letter Download PDF – A4
No email or sign-up needed. Free for personal and classroom use.
Want the full set? Chinese Writing Practice Paper Set – 5 printable grid styles for character and pinyin practice.