How to Print at Actual Size

Quick answer

The most important printing setting is Actual Size or 100% scale. Disable Fit to Page, Shrink to Fit, or similar automatic resizing features before printing.

Reference facts

Required print scaling

Actual Size or 100%

Avoid

Fit to Page and Shrink to Fit

Best verification

Measure one printed square or line gap

Best for

• Any template with real-world measurements
• Classroom worksheets
• Gaming maps and gauge-sensitive crafts

Why print scaling breaks measurements

Printable paper only works as intended when the exported PDF is printed at its real size. Automatic scaling changes the physical dimensions of every square, dot, line, or hex.

What to check in the print dialog

Use the printer setting called Actual Size, 100% scale, or equivalent. Turn off any option that tries to fit the PDF inside the printable area automatically.

How to verify the result

After printing, measure one grid square or one ruled spacing with a ruler. If the value is off, check scaling again before printing more pages.

Best starting pages

• Graph Paper
• 5 mm Graph Paper

Related templates

• Graph Paper
• Dot Grid
• Hexagon Grid

Related presets

• 5 mm Graph Paper
• 1 Inch Hex Grid Paper