Printable MM Ruler: Free Actual-Size PDF (A4 & Letter)
Download a free printable mm ruler, print it at 100% and you have a paper ruler with millimeters, centimeters and inches. Works with any home printer.
Download the printable ruler
Three free PDFs. Print them at 100% (Actual size) for true measurements.
How to Print a Ruler at Actual Size
A ruler is only useful if it prints at exactly 100%. Follow these steps and the printed mm ruler will match real millimeters.
Open the PDF
Download the file for your paper size and open it in your browser or a PDF reader.
Set the scale to 100%
In the print window choose Actual size or 100%. Turn off Fit to page and Shrink oversized pages.
Check the paper size
Choose A4 for the A4 file or Letter for the Letter file, then print in black and white.
Verify with a credit card
A credit card should fit the dashed box exactly. If it does not, print again at 100%.
- Chrome or Edge: press Ctrl + P, open More settings and set Scale to Default (100%).
- Adobe Acrobat Reader: in the Print window, set Page Sizing to Actual size.
- Mac Preview: in the Print window, set Scale to 100%.
Printable cm Ruler and Inch Ruler on One Page
Each printable ruler with mm has two scales, so one sheet works as a cm ruler and an inch ruler.
- Top edge: millimeters and centimetersEvery small tick is 1 mm, the middle tick is 5 mm, and the numbered tick is every 1 cm.
- Bottom edge: inchesThe numbered tick is 1 inch. Smaller ticks mark halves, quarters, eighths and sixteenths.
- Accuracy check boxA dashed card-size outline lets you confirm the print scale in seconds.
- Print readyPlain black and white lines, so it prints sharply on any printer and uses very little ink.
Want to read a ruler first? See how to read millimeters, cm and inches on our mm ruler online. To make the on-screen ruler match real size, find your screen’s PPI with the PPI calculator.
Printable Meter Tape (100 cm)
The printable meter tape is a measuring strip for lengths up to 1 meter, such as fabric, a waist or a room.
Print all 4 pages
Print the meter tape PDF at 100% on A4 paper. Each page holds 25 cm.
Cut on the dashed lines
Cut each strip on both dashed end lines so the 25 cm sections are exact.
Join end to end
Tape the strips together in order. The joins fall at 25, 50 and 75 cm.
Paper stretches, so for fabric or body measurements, check the finished tape against a known length first.
Printable Ruler: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I print a ruler at actual size?
Open the PDF, choose the paper size that matches the file (A4 or US Letter), set the scale to 100% or Actual size, and turn off Fit to page or Shrink to fit. Then check the result with a credit card using the accuracy box on the page.
Why is my printed ruler the wrong size?
Almost always the printer or print dialog scaled the page. Look for settings called Fit to page, Shrink oversized pages or Scale to fit, and switch them off. Print again at 100%.
How do I check that my printed mm ruler is accurate?
Every PDF has a dashed box the size of a credit card (85.6 x 53.98 mm). A real credit card should fit it exactly. You can also measure a known object with the ruler, such as a coin or a sheet of A4 paper (210 mm wide).
Which PDF should I download, A4 or Letter?
Use the one that matches the paper in your printer. A4 is standard in most countries and gives a 28 cm ruler. US Letter is standard in the US and Canada and gives a 26 cm ruler. Both have the same mm, cm and inch scales.
Does the printable ruler have millimeters and inches?
Yes. The top edge shows centimeters with a tick for every millimeter. The bottom edge shows inches divided into 1/16 inch.
Is there a printable meter tape?
Yes. The meter tape is a 100 cm measuring strip over 4 A4 pages. Cut the strips on the dashed lines and join them end to end. The joins fall at 25, 50 and 75 cm.
How accurate is a paper ruler?
A correctly printed paper ruler is fine for rough measurements. It is not as precise or durable as a steel or plastic ruler, so use a physical ruler or a caliper when exact size matters. For a quick check, the online mm ruler measures on screen after one calibration.
Is the printable ruler free?
Yes. All three PDFs are free to download and print for personal use.
More Free Measuring Tools
Printed and on-screen measurements are approximate. Do not use them for medical, safety or engineering decisions. Learn more about this site, contact us or read the privacy policy.