Graph Paper Templates for MS Word & Excel

Graph paper, also known as squared or grid paper, is a regular writing paper printed with fine lines in the form of a grid. These horizontal and vertical lines spread across the entire paper make up a grid-like pattern and are extensively used in mathematics, engineering, and the arts. These lines act as guides while using papers and keep the measurements accurate. A major benefit of using graph paper is the precision with which data is entered and results are deduced.

Usually, notebooks of graph paper are available at stationery shops, but loose papers can also be found. These loose papers are used for work and then attached to designated spaces in workbooks.

It is a simple yet versatile tool that finds application in education, equations, and other fields of great importance. Earlier, graph papers were used by mathematicians and astronomers to keep track of calculations and observations, but these graph papers were very different from the ones that are used today. This equally spaced grid of alternate lines was established in the 18th century and has been in use ever since.

Graph paper varies in size depending on the requirements, i.e., they can have bigger or smaller squares, which alters the number of squares per inch. Graph paper comes in a variety of formats and sizes, depending on its purpose and field of use. Lines on graph paper assist during the process of making graphs or drawing curves. Some common types of graph papers include:

The most common type of graph paper is cartesian graph paper. It is the most well-known category and is depicted as a grid of horizontal and vertical lines that are equally spaced. These graph papers are used for marking data points and solving equations.
In isometric graph papers, squares are replaced with triangles and are used in engineering for creating three-dimensional models.
Similarly, in hexagonal graph paper, hexagons replace squares and assist in the fields of crystallography and tabletop games.
Dot grid paper uses dots as the point of intersection in comparison to gridlines. These dots are used as guides while using graph paper.

Applications

As described earlier, graph paper finds applications in a wide variety of fields, such as

In the field of engineering, schematics, drawings, and diagrams are created on graph paper to preserve the choice of scale and precision.
Following the arts, these graph papers are used for making architectural designs, patterns, and other art forms.
The field of science also incorporates graph papers for the graphical representation of data, for noticing trends in various experiments, and for presenting results in an organized manner.
In mathematics, graphs are widely used for solving graph-based functions, presenting geometric concepts, and explaining equations.
Most importantly, in the field of geography, graph papers are used to draw maps and represent topography and other geographical data.

Graph paper may seem like a simple tool, but it has versatile applications and has improved its importance in solving complex equations. It has contributed a lot to the above-mentioned fields and is still used extensively.