Maruman Five Chart Binder: A5, B5 and A4 Loose-Leaf Sizes
The Maruman Five Chart is a plastic loose-leaf binder first sold in 1989, with five tab cut-outs in its polypropylene cover. Maruman lists the B5 at 26 holes, 275 × 208 × 20 mm and 240 g, holding 70 sheets, with 20 sheets of 6 mm ruled paper included, for ¥1,320 (about US$8.40).
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Product facts
- Product
- Maruman Five Chart Binder, B5, 26 holes, black (F905)
- Brand
- Maruman
- Brand origin
- Japan
- Made in
- Japan*
- Material
- Polypropylene cover; laminated tab indexes; 80 g/m² writing paper included
- Released
- 1989*
- Price range
- $$$5–20 for the cover or binder with its starter insert
- Rate it
Notes on these facts
- Made by Maruman Co., Ltd.. Made in Japan: Maruman's Japanese product pages give the country of production as Japan for the A5 (F401), B5 (F905 and clear F906) and A4 (F483A) binders. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Maruman's product pages call the Five Chart a long seller on sale since 1989.
- How we test and disclose samples: How we test stationery.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
- Maruman's product pages list three sizes: A5 with 20 holes (224 × 170 × 20 mm, 160 g), B5 with 26 holes (275 × 208 × 20 mm, 240 g) and A4 with 30 holes (312 × 234 × 18 mm, 280 g).
- Every size has five laminated index tabs that show through five cut-outs in the cover, and comes in black or in a clear-colored version.
- Capacity is 70 sheets in A5 and B5 and 60 in A4; the binder arrives with 20 sheets of 80 g/m² loose-leaf paper, 6 mm ruled (A4: 10 sheets 6 mm ruled and 10 sheets 5 mm grid).
- Maruman says the Five Chart has been on sale since 1989 and lists Japan as the country of production.
- List prices with tax are ¥1,210 (about US$7.70) for the A5, ¥1,320 (about US$8.40) for the B5 and ¥1,430 (about US$9.10) for the A4.
What is the Maruman Five Chart binder?
It is a plastic loose-leaf binder with five cut-outs in the front cover and a laminated index behind them, so the five tabs show without opening it. Maruman’s product pages describe it as a long seller on sale since 1989, with a lightweight polypropylene cover that opens easily with one hand.
Maruman, a Japanese paper and stationery maker, sells it in A5, B5 and A4, each in black or in a clear-colored cover. Maruman’s own site says the tabs let you press one directly and open at that section.
What sizes does it come in?
Three sizes, each with its own hole count: A5 with 20 holes, B5 with 26 and A4 with 30. The figures below are from Maruman’s product pages; prices include tax.
| Size | Holes | Body (H × W × D) | Weight | Capacity | Maruman price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A5 | 20 | 224 × 170 × 20 mm (8.8 × 6.7 × 0.8 in) | 160 g | 70 sheets | ¥1,210 (about US$7.70) |
| B5 | 26 | 275 × 208 × 20 mm (10.8 × 8.2 × 0.8 in) | 240 g | 70 sheets | ¥1,320 (about US$8.40) |
| A4 | 30 | 312 × 234 × 18 mm (12.3 × 9.2 × 0.7 in) | 280 g | 60 sheets | ¥1,430 (about US$9.10) |
What comes in the box?
Twenty sheets of 80 g/m² loose-leaf writing paper and a set of five laminated tab indexes. In A5 and B5 the paper is ruled at 6 mm. The A4 comes with ten sheets ruled at 6 mm and ten with a 5 mm grid.
Maruman lists the 20 sheets as the starter refill, which is why the binder is ready to use but holds up to 70 (A5 and B5) or 60 (A4) when filled. Maruman gives no ring size, so we can’t say how thick paper fills it.
Why is the B5 a 26-hole binder?
Japanese B5 loose-leaf paper is punched with 26 holes, so the B5 Five Chart is made for that paper. Maruman’s page lists the B5 at 26 holes and the A5 at 20. Our KOKUYO Smart Ring binder guide gives the same pairing, 26 holes for B5 and 20 for A5.
That matters when you buy refills. Three-hole paper won’t match 20, 26 or 30 holes, and our paper sizes explained guide shows why Japanese B5 (182 × 257 mm) is wider than ISO B5.
What is the difference between the black and clear versions?
Only the cover color: Maruman’s clear versions list the same holes, capacity, paper and price as the black. The clear B5 (F906) is described as the clear-colored Five Chart. Its page gives the same 275 × 208 × 20 mm and 240 g as the black B5.
The clear A5 (F417) and A4 (F487) have separate pages with their own item numbers. The A5 clear is also ¥1,210 (about US$7.70) and the A4 clear ¥1,430 (about US$9.10).
How does it compare with other Japanese loose-leaf binders?
The cut-outs that show the tabs are the Five Chart’s own feature. KOKUYO’s Smart Ring binder uses the same B5 26-hole standard but is built around a ring mechanism that holds 25 or 60 sheets. For a thread-bound alternative that opens flat, see the Maruman Mnemosyne A5 notebook.
Where is it made, and what does it cost?
In Japan, per Maruman’s own product pages, which list Japan as the country of production for the sizes we read. Maruman’s list prices with tax are ¥1,210 (about US$7.70) for the A5, ¥1,320 (about US$8.40) for the B5 and ¥1,430 (about US$9.10) for the A4, at 158 yen to the dollar; that puts them in our $$ band ($5–20) before shipping.
We didn’t find a US retailer listing we could read, so we have no US price. Maruman’s page links its own online shop, Yahoo, Amazon and Rakuten stores, which we didn’t read.
Frequently asked questions
How many holes does the B5 Five Chart binder have?
26, per Maruman's product page for the B5 (F905 and clear F906). The A5 has 20 holes and the A4 30, so each size needs paper punched to match.
How many sheets does the Maruman Five Chart hold?
Maruman lists a standard capacity of 70 sheets for the A5 and B5 and 60 for the A4. The binder is 20 mm thick in A5 and B5 and 18 mm in A4.
Does the Five Chart binder come with paper?
Yes. Each comes with 20 sheets of 80 g/m² loose-leaf writing paper: 6 mm ruled in A5 and B5, and 10 sheets of 6 mm ruled plus 10 of 5 mm grid in A4.
What are the five cut-outs on the cover?
Five notches in the front cover through which laminated index tabs show. Maruman says this lets you press a tab directly and open the binder at that section quickly.
Is there a clear Five Chart binder?
Yes. Maruman lists a clear-colored version of each size (F417 A5, F906 B5, F487 A4) at the same price as the black one.
Will B5 loose-leaf paper from other brands fit?
Japanese B5 loose-leaf paper has 26 holes, which is what the B5 Five Chart uses. We haven't tested other brands' paper in it, so check the hole count and spacing on the pack.
Is the Maruman Five Chart made in Japan?
Yes. Maruman's own product pages give Japan as the country of production for every size we checked.
Sources
- Maruman (Japanese): Five Chart binder B5, F905 (26 holes, 275 × 208 × 20 mm, 240 g, polypropylene cover, 70 sheets, 20 sheets 6 mm ruled included, laminated 5-tab index, ¥1,320, made in Japan; read October 30, 2026)
- Maruman (Japanese): Five Chart binder, clear, B5, F906 (same specifications, clear-colored cover; read October 30, 2026)
- Maruman (Japanese): Five Chart binder A5, F401 (20 holes, 224 × 170 × 20 mm, 160 g, 70 sheets, ¥1,210; read October 30, 2026)
- Maruman (Japanese): Five Chart binder A4, F483A (30 holes, 312 × 234 × 18 mm, 280 g, 60 sheets, 10 sheets 6 mm ruled and 10 sheets 5 mm grid, ¥1,430; read October 30, 2026)