A dotted journal has a grid of small dots instead of lines, which suits bullet journaling, sketching and layouts. Page size, page count, paper weight and whether the book lies flat are the usual points to compare.
The six notebooks below include the original Leuchtturm1917 bullet journal edition, hardcover A5 books and a larger 8.5 x 11 inch model. Sizes, pages and paper weights come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these notebooks ourselves, and maker claims about ink bleed are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Page size | A5 is pocket-bag size; 8.5 x 11 inch is much larger |
| Page count | Counts vary from 160 to 200 and more |
| Paper weight | Listings quote 100 gsm; pen type still matters |
| Binding | Thread-bound, spiral and lay-flat designs behave differently |
Specs at a Glance
| Notebook | Size | Pages | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAPERAGE Black | 5.6 x 8 in | 160 | 100 gsm; faux leather; ribbon, pocket, elastic band |
| Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal | A5 (8.27 x 5.71 in) | 206 listed | 204 numbered pages; index, key, future log |
| RETTACY | A5 (5.7 x 8.3 in) | 192 | 100 gsm; pen holder; 2 stencils; 2 ribbon bookmarks |
| PAGELYST 4-pack | A5 (5.7 x 8.3 in) | 200 each | Four notebooks; pen holder; 5mm dots |
| Mr. Pen spiral set | A5 (5.7 x 7.9 in) | 160 | Spiral; 50 sticky tabs and 1 pen included |
| MALEDEN large | 8.5 x 11 in | 192 | 5mm dot grid; 180 degree lay-flat per the listing |
The 6 Best Dotted Journal Notebooks
1. PAPERAGE Dotted Journal Notebook
A 5.6 x 8 inch hardcover with 160 pages of 100 gsm paper, a faux leather cover, an inner pocket, ribbon bookmark and elastic closure. The listing says it is thread-bound and lies flat.
Suits: an everyday carry notebook. Strengths: pocket, ribbon and band included. Weaknesses: 160 pages is the shortest here. Skip it if you want more pages.
View PAPERAGE Dotted Journal Notebook on Amazon
2. LEUCHTTURM1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2
The edition made for bullet journaling, with a bullet key, index and future log, 204 numbered pages in a dot grid with larger margins, and a pocket guide that doubles as a ruler. The overview lists A5 size and 206 pages while the text says 204 numbered pages.
Suits: the original bullet journal layout. Strengths: built-in index and key. Weaknesses: page count wording differs inside the listing. Skip it if you want a plain blank-style dotted book.
View LEUCHTTURM1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 on Amazon
3. RETTACY Dotted Journal Notebook 192 Pages
An A5 book with 192 pages of 100 gsm acid-free paper, a leather-look hardcover, 180 degree lay-flat, a pen holder, two ribbon bookmarks, an inner pocket and two journaling stencils.
Suits: a feature-rich A5. Strengths: stencils and pen holder. Weaknesses: maker claims about ink resistance are its own. Skip it if you want a spiral binding.
View RETTACY Dotted Journal Notebook 192 Pages on Amazon
4. PAGELYST Dotted Journal Notebook 4 Pack
A four-notebook pack, each A5 with 200 pages of 100 gsm paper, a 5mm dot pattern, a pen holder, an elastic band and an expandable inner pocket. The pack weighs about 1,600 grams.
Suits: stocking up on several books. Strengths: four books in one order. Weaknesses: a heavy parcel; more than one person may need it. Skip it if you only need one.
View PAGELYST Dotted Journal Notebook 4 Pack on Amazon
5. Mr. Pen Dotted Spiral Journal Set
An A5 spiral-bound hardcover with 160 pages of 100 gsm paper, an elastic band and pen loop, sold in a set with 50 sticky tabs and a pen. The listing says the spiral lets it lie flat.
Suits: a spiral book with extras. Strengths: tabs and pen included. Weaknesses: spiral rings add bulk. Skip it if you prefer a stitched spine.
View Mr. Pen Dotted Spiral Journal Set on Amazon
6. MALEDEN Dotted Journal Notebook 8.5 x 11
A large hardcover with 192 pages, a 5mm dot grid and a PU leather cover. The overview calls the cover soft while the text says hardcover, so check before ordering.
Suits: big page layouts. Strengths: 8.5 x 11 inch pages. Weaknesses: cover wording conflicts; large to carry. Skip it if you want a book for a small bag.
View MALEDEN Dotted Journal Notebook 8.5 x 11 on Amazon
Care and Setup Notes
- Try a pen on the last page before starting.
- Let ink dry before closing the book.
- Use the pocket for loose cards or notes.
- Follow the maker’s instructions for any stencils or tabs.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a size that does not fit your bag.
- Assuming every 100 gsm book handles the same pens.
- Skipping the index pages in a bullet journal.
- Buying a four-pack when one is enough.
Dotted Journal Notebooks FAQ
What is a 5mm dot grid?
The dots sit 5mm apart, which many people use for margins, lettering and layouts.
Is A5 big enough?
A5 is about 5.8 x 8.3 inches, enough for planning pages and sketches. The 8.5 x 11 inch book gives more room.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
- What will you use it for: planning, lists, sketching, lettering, or a mix?
- Do you carry it in a bag daily, or does it stay on a desk?
- Which pens do you favor, and does the listing say how the paper handles them?
- Do you want a lay-flat spine, a hard cover, or a flexible one?
- Are extras like a bookmark ribbon, pocket, or index pages important to you?
- Will you want several matching notebooks over time, so availability of the same format matters?
Matching It to Your Desk and Bag
Page size changes how a journal feels. A compact format slips into a small bag and encourages short daily entries, while a larger format gives room for spreads, charts and drawings but takes up more of a desk. Picture where you will open it. A narrow cafe table and a wide studio desk call for different sizes.
Binding matters as much as size. Stitched bindings tend to lie open on their own, while spiral bindings fold back neatly for one-handed use. Left-handed writers sometimes prefer a spiral on the right side or a hinge that does not dig into the wrist. Look at the listing photos for how the cover and spine behave when open.
Who Should Skip It
If you prefer ruled lines for fast note taking, a dot grid may feel like unneeded structure. People who write mostly with heavy, wet inks should read the maker’s listing and instructions about paper behavior before buying, and might want a small sample first. Anyone who enjoys a fresh page every day may find a thick bound book limiting, and a loose-leaf system could suit them better. If you rarely write by hand, a digital tool may be a simpler fit.
The Short Version
For the original layout, the Leuchtturm1917. For a plain carry book, the PAPERAGE. For stencils and a pen holder, the RETTACY. For several books, the PAGELYST pack. For a spiral with extras, the Mr. Pen set. For large pages, the MALEDEN.