--- title: "Best Bullet Journal Notebooks: 7 Dot Grids" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-notebooks-for-bullet-journaling/" description: "The best dot grid notebooks for bullet journaling: Leuchtturm1917 Edition 2, Archer & Olive, Scribbles That Matter, PAPERAGE, Rhodia Goalbook, Nanami and more." category: "Notebooks" type: "Journal" published: 2026-10-21 updated: 2026-10-21 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 9 products: - name: "Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2, Medium (A5), hard cover, 206 numbered pages, dotted" brand: "Leuchtturm1917" brand_origin: "Germany" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Hard cover, 120 g/m² smooth, low-transparency paper, thread-sewn book block" price_band: "$$$ ($20–75 per notebook, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Leuchtturm Gruppe (Geesthacht, Germany)" model: "Bullet Journal Edition 2, Medium (A5)" mpn: "801389" url: "https://www.leuchtturm1917.de/bullet-journal-edition-2.html" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/leuchtturm1917-bullet-journal-edition-2/" - name: "Archer & Olive A5 Dot Grid Notebook (192 pages, 160 gsm)" brand: "Archer & Olive" brand_origin: "United States" made_in: "China" material: "Vegan leather or buckram cloth hard cover, 160 gsm white (or black) paper" price_band: "$$$ ($20–75 per notebook, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Archer & Olive" model: "Apothecary Shelf Notebook, A5, 192 pages, white dot grid" sku: "HWLP304" gtin: "810208873197" url: "https://www.archerandolive.com/products/apothecary-shelf-notebook" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/archer-and-olive-a5-dot-grid-notebook/" - name: "Scribbles That Matter Pro A5 Dotted Journal, 160 gsm" brand: "Scribbles That Matter" brand_origin: "United Kingdom" made_in: "China" material: "Smooth matte vegan-leather hard cover; bright white FSC paper, 160 gsm (also 120 gsm); sewn binding (per Gathered)" price_band: "$$$ ($20–75 per notebook, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Scribbles That Matter Ltd" model: "Dotted Journal (Pro), A5, 160gsm" sku: "NUS-A5D160P-GR" url: "https://scribblesthatmatter.co.uk/products/dotted-journal-pro" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/scribbles-that-matter-pro-a5-dotted-journal/" - name: "PAPERAGE Dotted Journal Notebook, Hardcover, Medium 5.6 × 8 in, 160 pages" brand: "PAPERAGE" brand_origin: "United States" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Water-resistant vegan leather hard cover; 100 gsm acid-free light ivory paper" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per notebook, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Zeal Concept (Charlotte, North Carolina)" model: "Dotted Journal Notebook, Medium (5.6 × 8 in)" sku: "B07L4GSGWD" gtin: "195317010702" url: "https://paperage.co/products/paperage-dotted-journal-notebook-turquoise-160-pages-medium-5-7-inches-x-8-inches-100-gsm-thick-paper-hardcover" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/paperage-dotted-journal/" - name: "Rhodia Goalbook, A5 hardcover, dot grid, 240 pages (ivory or white paper)" brand: "Rhodia" brand_origin: "France" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Italian leatherette (simili cuir italien) hardcover; 90 g/m² Clairefontaine vellum" price_band: "$$$ ($20–75 per notebook, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Clairefontaine Rhodia (Exacompta Clairefontaine group); sold in the US by Exaclair" model: "Goalbook couverture rembordée rigide, A5, dot grid" mpn: "118772C" url: "https://www.bloc-rhodia.com/fr/rhodiarama/82-515-goalbook-couverture-rembordee-rigide.html" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/rhodia-goalbook/" - name: "Nanami Paper Seven Seas Crossfield A5 Journal, 8th edition (Sanzen Tomoe River paper)" brand: "Nanami Paper" brand_origin: "United States" made_in: "Japan" material: "52 gsm white Tomoe River paper (Sanzen); thin water-resistant coated-fabric (buckram) cover" price_band: "$$$ ($20–75 per notebook, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Nanami Paper (Irvine, California); bound in Tokyo" model: "SS Crossfield A5 Grid Journal, 8th Ed." url: "https://www.nanamipaper.com/products/copy-of-ss-crossfield-a5-grid-journal-7th-ed-new-trp.html" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/nanami-seven-seas-crossfield/" - name: "Moleskine Classic Notebook, Hard Cover, Large (guide covers ruled QP060; also sold dotted)" brand: "Moleskine" brand_origin: "Italy" made_in: "China" material: "Cardboard hard cover, 70 g/m² ivory acid-free paper (FSC-certified and controlled sources)" released: "1997" price_band: "$$$ ($20–75 per notebook, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Moleskine S.r.l. (D'Ieteren Group)" model: "QP060" gtin: "9788883701122" url: "https://www.moleskine.com/it-it/shop/taccuini/the-original-notebook/taccuino-classic-nero-9788883701122.html" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/moleskine-classic-notebook/" --- # Best Bullet Journal Notebooks: 7 Dot Grids > On published specs, the Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 is the best bullet journal notebook: A5, 206 numbered pages of 120 g/m² dot grid paper with an index. Pick Archer & Olive for markers, Scribbles That Matter for a ready-made setup, PAPERAGE on a budget, Rhodia Goalbook for fountain pens and Nanami for the most pages. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-notebooks-for-bullet-journaling/ - Category: Notebooks - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-21 - Updated: 2026-10-21 ![Seven closed dot grid journals in a to-scale lineup with their sizes](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/best-notebooks-for-bullet-journaling-16x9.png) *The seven picks side by side at 1 mm = 0.75 px, each labelled with the use it is picked for.* Original drawing (SVG): . Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Product facts | Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2, Medium (A5), hard cover, 206 numbered pages, dotted | Leuchtturm1917 (by Leuchtturm Gruppe (Geesthacht, Germany)) | Germany | Not stated | Hard cover, 120 g/m² smooth, low-transparency paper, thread-sewn book block | – | $$$: $20–75 per notebook | | Archer & Olive A5 Dot Grid Notebook (192 pages, 160 gsm) | Archer & Olive | United States | China | Vegan leather or buckram cloth hard cover, 160 gsm white (or black) paper | – | $$$: $20–75 per notebook | | Scribbles That Matter Pro A5 Dotted Journal, 160 gsm | Scribbles That Matter (by Scribbles That Matter Ltd) | United Kingdom | China | Smooth matte vegan-leather hard cover; bright white FSC paper, 160 gsm (also 120 gsm); sewn binding (per Gathered) | – | $$$: $20–75 per notebook | | PAPERAGE Dotted Journal Notebook, Hardcover, Medium 5.6 × 8 in, 160 pages | PAPERAGE (by Zeal Concept (Charlotte, North Carolina)) | United States | Not stated | Water-resistant vegan leather hard cover; 100 gsm acid-free light ivory paper | – | $$: $5–20 per notebook | | Rhodia Goalbook, A5 hardcover, dot grid, 240 pages (ivory or white paper) | Rhodia (by Clairefontaine Rhodia (Exacompta Clairefontaine group); sold in the US by Exaclair) | France | Not stated | Italian leatherette (simili cuir italien) hardcover; 90 g/m² Clairefontaine vellum | – | $$$: $20–75 per notebook | | Nanami Paper Seven Seas Crossfield A5 Journal, 8th edition (Sanzen Tomoe River paper) | Nanami Paper (by Nanami Paper (Irvine, California); bound in Tokyo) | United States | Japan | 52 gsm white Tomoe River paper (Sanzen); thin water-resistant coated-fabric (buckram) cover | – | $$$: $20–75 per notebook | | Moleskine Classic Notebook, Hard Cover, Large (guide covers ruled QP060; also sold dotted) | Moleskine (by Moleskine S.r.l. (D'Ieteren Group)) | Italy | China | Cardboard hard cover, 70 g/m² ivory acid-free paper (FSC-certified and controlled sources) | 1997 | $$$: $20–75 per notebook | - Made in (Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2, Medium (A5), hard cover, 206 numbered pages, dotted): Not stated. Retailer listings have conflicted: one gave Taiwan as the country of origin and another the United Kingdom (Digitec, which now blocks automated reading). Leuchtturm1917's German product page names only the maker, LEUCHTTURM1917 GmbH in Geesthacht, not a country of manufacture. Check the label on your copy. - Made in (Archer & Olive A5 Dot Grid Notebook (192 pages, 160 gsm)): China. Swedish retailer Tidformera's Swedish listing for the A5 dotted notebook (Apothecary Shelf edition) says "Tillverkad i Kina" (made in China) and notes the books are hand-bound. Archer & Olive's own product and FAQ pages call it a small business in the USA but don't name a country of manufacture. Source: https://tidformera.se/en/products/dotted-notebook-a5-192-s-apothecary-shelf - Made in (Scribbles That Matter Pro A5 Dotted Journal, 160 gsm): China. Scribbles That Matter's FAQ says its products are designed and prototyped in the UK and mass-manufactured in China. The company, Scribbles That Matter Ltd, gives an office address on Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London. Source: https://scribblesthatmatter.com/pages/faq - Made in (PAPERAGE Dotted Journal Notebook, Hardcover, Medium 5.6 × 8 in, 160 pages): Not stated. PAPERAGE's product page and the Amazon listing (ASIN B07L4GSGWD) don't give a country of origin, and Zeal Concept says only that it works with "vendor partners across the globe" to manufacture its products. We didn't find a reliable statement, so we don't guess. Source: https://zealconcept.com/ - Made in (Rhodia Goalbook, A5 hardcover, dot grid, 240 pages (ivory or white paper)): Not stated. Cult Pens says the paper is made in Étival-Clairefontaine, France. Rhodia's 2024 French press kit says the brand has always produced in France, at Illzach near Mulhouse, and that its notebooks are assembled by hand, but neither Rhodia's product page nor any retailer we could read names the Goalbook's country. Galaxus has listed Morocco for a checked A5 Goalbook (117764C), a different ruling; its page now blocks automated reading, so check the label on your copy. Source: https://www.bloc-rhodia.com/img/DossierDePresse-90-anniversaire.pdf - Made in (Nanami Paper Seven Seas Crossfield A5 Journal, 8th edition (Sanzen Tomoe River paper)): Japan. Nanami's Crossfield product page lists "Made in Japan", and its Seven Seas fact page says the journals are made in Tokyo by a third-generation binding factory. The kraft slip case in Nanami's photo is also printed "Made in Japan". Source: https://www.nanamipaper.com/pages/seven-seas-tomoe-river-notebook-facts.html - Made in (Moleskine Classic Notebook, Hard Cover, Large (guide covers ruled QP060; also sold dotted)): China. Per retailer spec sheets: Galaxus/Digitec list China for the Large and Pocket hard covers, and the Australian promotional supplier Good Things lists China for the XL hard cover. Moleskine's Italian product page doesn't state the country, and Galaxus blocked our reader when we rechecked on October 20, 2026. Source: https://goodthings.com.au/products/pens-stationery/notebooks-journals-stationery/moleskine-classic-hard-cover-notebook-extra-large/ ## Key takeaways - Paper weight spans 52 gsm Tomoe River in the Nanami Crossfield to 160 gsm in Archer & Olive and Scribbles That Matter; the Leuchtturm1917 Edition 2 uses 120 g/m². - Page counts run from about 150 in the 160 gsm Scribbles That Matter Pro to 240 in the Rhodia Goalbook and Moleskine Large, and 480 in the Nanami Crossfield. - All seven are about A5: the Leuchtturm1917 is 145 × 210 mm (5.75 × 8.25 in) and the PAPERAGE slightly smaller at 142 × 203 mm (5.6 × 8 in). - Every pick uses a 5 mm dot grid except the Nanami, which prints small gray crosses on a 5 mm pitch. - Six are in our $$$ band ($20–75 per notebook); the PAPERAGE is $$ ($5–20). ## What is the best notebook for bullet journaling? **The Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 is the best bullet journal notebook for most people, but the best pick for markers, a ready-made setup, a budget, fountain pens, the most pages or easy availability is a different book.** It's #1 because it pairs numbered pages, an index and a future log with 120 g/m² paper, 50% heavier than a standard Leuchtturm1917 sheet. - **Best overall:** [Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/leuchtturm1917-bullet-journal-edition-2/). *Why it's here:* 206 numbered pages of 120 g/m² dot grid paper, heavier than the standard Leuchtturm1917, with an index, future log, three ribbons and a pocket guide. - **Best for markers and paint:** [Archer & Olive A5](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/archer-and-olive-a5-dot-grid-notebook/). *Why it's here:* the heaviest paper here (160 gsm, tied with Scribbles), twice a standard Leuchtturm1917, which Archer & Olive calls no-bleed. - **Best ready-made setup:** [Scribbles That Matter Pro](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/scribbles-that-matter-pro-a5-dotted-journal/). *Why it's here:* the most set up out of the box: 160 gsm pages with a key, index and pen test pages, two ribbons, a pen loop and a 0.7 mm fineliner. - **Best budget:** [PAPERAGE Dotted Journal](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/paperage-dotted-journal/). *Why it's here:* the only pick in our $$ band, with 100 gsm paper heavier than the Moleskine's 70 g/m² and 20,684 Amazon ratings at 4.7 stars on October 21, 2026. - **Best for fountain pens and planning:** [Rhodia Goalbook](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/rhodia-goalbook/). *Why it's here:* 224 numbered dot pages of 90 g/m² Clairefontaine paper for fountain pens, plus index pages and two perpetual calendars for planning. - **Most pages:** [Nanami Seven Seas Crossfield](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/nanami-seven-seas-crossfield/). *Why it's here:* the most pages here, 480 of 52 gsm Tomoe River paper in a 16 mm book, bound in Tokyo. - **Easiest to find:** [Moleskine Classic Large](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/moleskine-classic-notebook/), dotted. *Why it's here:* sold almost everywhere, with 240 pages in a 13 × 21 cm hardcover, though its 70 g/m² paper is lighter than every other pick but the Nanami. ## How did we choose these picks? **We compiled these picks from published sources, not hands-on testing: makers' paper weights and page features, retailer listings and Amazon ratings, US availability and price band.** We sorted by paper weight first, because it decides whether markers bleed, then by the Bullet Journal features each book prints. ## How do the seven dot grid notebooks compare? **Paper weight is the big difference: from 52 gsm for fountain pens to 160 gsm for markers.** | Notebook | Size | Pages | Paper | Numbered | Made in | Band | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Leuchtturm1917 Edition 2 | 145 × 210 mm (5.75 × 8.25 in) | 206 | 120 g/m² | Yes | Not stated | $$$ | | Archer & Olive A5 | 146 × 210 mm (5.75 × 8.25 in) | 192 | 160 gsm, white | No | China | $$$ | | Scribbles That Matter Pro | 145 × 210 mm (5.75 × 8.5 in) | About 150 | 160 gsm, white | Yes | China | $$$ | | PAPERAGE | 142 × 203 mm (5.6 × 8 in) | 160 | 100 gsm, ivory | No | Not stated | $$ | | Rhodia Goalbook | 151 × 218 mm cover (5.9 × 8.6 in) | 240 | 90 g/m², ivory or white | Yes (224) | Not stated | $$$ | | Nanami Crossfield | 148 × 210 mm (5.8 × 8.3 in) | 480 | 52 gsm Tomoe River | Not listed | Japan | $$$ | | Moleskine Classic Large | 130 × 210 mm (5.1 × 8.25 in) | 240 | 70 g/m², ivory | No | China | $$$ | Figures are from each maker; the Goalbook cover size is Goulet Pens' listing, and the Scribbles page count is from Amazon titles and reviewers. Leuchtturm1917's German shop lists the Edition 2 at €29.95 (about US$34). ## Which bullet journal paper won't bleed through? **The 160 gsm books, Archer & Olive and Scribbles That Matter, are the safest on paper specs for markers and brush pens.** The Leuchtturm1917's 120 g/m² is 50% heavier than its standard 80 g/m² sheet, so it sits in between. Thin papers still suit fine pens. The Nanami and Goalbook take fountain pen ink, but writing shows through the 52 gsm Tomoe River pages. For pen picks, see our [best pens for journaling](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-pens-for-journaling/). ## Do you need page numbers and an index? **For the Bullet Journal method, yes, because the index lists topics by page number.** The Leuchtturm1917, Scribbles That Matter and Goalbook come numbered with index pages. The Archer & Olive, PAPERAGE, Moleskine and Notebook Therapy's [Tsuki bullet journal](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/notebook-therapy-tsuki-bullet-journal/), a 160 gsm alternative, aren't numbered. ## Dot grid, grid or crosses? **All picks use a 5 mm dot grid except the Nanami, which prints tiny gray crosses every 5 mm.** Our [dot grid vs lined vs grid](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/dot-grid-vs-lined-vs-grid/) guide explains why dots fade into the background behind drawings and tables. ## Which bullet journal is best on a budget? **The PAPERAGE, which on October 21, 2026 had 20,684 Amazon ratings at 4.7 stars.** Its 100 gsm paper is heavier than the 70 g/m² of the Moleskine, the other mass-market pick. ## Where are bullet journal notebooks made? **Nanami says Japan for the Crossfield; Scribbles That Matter and a retailer say China for theirs and Archer & Olive's; retailers say China for Moleskine.** Leuchtturm1917, PAPERAGE and Rhodia don't state where these books are made, so check the label. ## Frequently asked questions ### What size notebook is best for a bullet journal? A5, about 148 × 210 mm (5.8 × 8.3 in). Every pick here is A5 or close to it, which gives room for a monthly spread while still fitting in a bag. ### What paper weight do you need for a bullet journal? About 100–120 g/m² for gel pens and highlighters, and 160 g/m² if you use brush pens, markers or watercolor. Lighter 52–90 g/m² papers suit fountain pens if you accept some show-through. ### Is Leuchtturm1917 or Archer & Olive better for bullet journaling? The Leuchtturm1917 Edition 2 has numbered pages, an index and 120 g/m² paper; Archer & Olive has heavier 160 gsm paper for markers but fewer extras. Choose by the pens you use. ### What is the official Bullet Journal notebook? Leuchtturm1917 sells the Bullet Journal Edition 2 as its notebook for the Bullet Journal method. It adds a dot-grid index, a future log, an intentions page, a grid guide and a removable pocket guide. ### What is a cheap bullet journal that doesn't bleed? The PAPERAGE Dotted Journal is the cheapest pick here, in our $$ band, with 160 pages of 100 gsm paper. That is heavier than the 80 g/m² of a standard Leuchtturm1917, though not marker-proof. ### Do bullet journal notebooks need page numbers? They help, because the method's index points to page numbers. The Leuchtturm1917, Scribbles That Matter and Rhodia Goalbook are numbered; the Archer & Olive, PAPERAGE, Moleskine and Notebook Therapy Tsuki aren't numbered, so you number them by hand. ### Is dot grid better than lined for bullet journaling? Usually, because dots guide headings, tables and boxes but fade into the background. Our dot grid vs lined guide compares the spacings. ## Sources - [Leuchtturm1917 (Germany): Bullet Journal Edition 2 (120 g/m², 206 pages, extras)](https://www.leuchtturm1917.de/bullet-journal-edition-2.html) - [Archer & Olive: Apothecary Shelf A5 dot grid notebook (192 pages, 160 gsm)](https://www.archerandolive.com/products/apothecary-shelf-notebook) - [Scribbles That Matter: Dotted Journal Pro (A5, 160 or 120 gsm, extras)](https://scribblesthatmatter.com/products/dotted-journal-pro) - [Scribbles That Matter: FAQ (designed in the UK, made in China)](https://scribblesthatmatter.com/pages/faq) - [PAPERAGE: Dotted Journal Notebook, Medium (5.6 × 8 in, 160 pages, 100 gsm)](https://paperage.co/products/paperage-dotted-journal-notebook-turquoise-160-pages-medium-5-7-inches-x-8-inches-100-gsm-thick-paper-hardcover) - [Rhodia (France): Goalbook couverture rembordée rigide (240 pages, 90 g/m²)](https://www.bloc-rhodia.com/fr/rhodiarama/82-515-goalbook-couverture-rembordee-rigide.html) - [Nanami Paper: Seven Seas Crossfield A5, 8th edition (480 pages, Tomoe River)](https://www.nanamipaper.com/products/copy-of-ss-crossfield-a5-grid-journal-7th-ed-new-trp.html) - [Moleskine (Italy): Classic Notebook, Large (13 × 21 cm, 70 g/m² paper)](https://www.moleskine.com/it-it/shop/taccuini/the-original-notebook/taccuino-classic-nero-9788883701122.html) - [Notebook Therapy: Tsuki Night Time Bullet Journal (A5, 176 pages, 160 gsm)](https://notebooktherapy.com/products/tsuki-night-time-bullet-journal)