Cornell Notes Template
The classic three-part note sheet: a narrow cue column on the left, a wide notes area on the right and a summary box across the bottom, with name, class and date lines at the top.
Preview with a centimetre and inch rule. The rule is not printed.
Vector PDF, no watermark. Print at Actual size / 100% so squares measure true (why).
How the Cornell method works
The Cornell note-taking system was set out by Walter Pauk, an education professor at Cornell University, in his book How to Study in College. The page is divided before the lecture starts:
- Notes (right, about 6 in wide). During class, write the main ideas in short phrases.
- Cues (left, about 2½ in). Soon after, turn each chunk of notes into a question or keyword here.
- Summary (bottom, about 2 in). Sum up the whole page in two or three sentences.
To review, cover the notes column and answer the cue questions from memory. That self-testing step is what makes the format more than a ruled page.
Questions
What are the dimensions of a Cornell notes page?
Pauk’s layout uses a 2½ in cue column, a 6 in notes column and a 2 in summary area on 8½ × 11 in paper. GridForge keeps those proportions and scales them on smaller pages.
Can I use this template digitally?
Yes. The PDF is vector, so it imports cleanly into note apps such as GoodNotes, Notability or OneNote as a page background.
Is there a version without lines?
Set the line spacing to its widest (40 mm) for mostly blank areas, which works well for sketches and diagrams.