Est. 2026 · Price: FreeEditor-at-large: The Hedgehog

Stationery Times

Brand: MUJI

MUJI Compact Gel Ink Pen 0.5 mm: 11 cm, 12 Colors

Compiled from 3 sources; we haven't tested this product ourselves yet. How we research

Quick answer

The MUJI Compact Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen is a short capped 0.5 mm gel pen made to go with A7 notebooks. MUJI USA lists it at 11 cm (4.3 in) with a clip and aqueous ink, sells cap-type and knock-type versions in many colors, and gives China as the origin.

On this page10 sections
MUJI Compact Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen 0.5 mm capped, drawn to scale at 11 cm with a frosted barrel and clip
The capped compact pen at MUJI USA's listed 11 cm (1 mm = 7.95 px). Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

Product facts

Product
MUJI Compact Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen Cap Type 0.5 mm
Brand
MUJI
Brand origin
Japan
Made in
China*
Material
Polycarbonate body; aqueous gel ink (per MUJI USA)
Good for
Price range
$under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
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Notes on these facts
  • Made by Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.. Made in China: MUJI USA's product details give "Country/Region of Origin: China" for the black cap-type pen. Source. Price: example listing.
  • How we test and disclose samples: How we test stationery.
  • Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.

Key takeaways

  • MUJI USA lists the compact pen at 4.3 in (11 cm) long with a 0.5 mm nib, a clip and a polycarbonate body.
  • MUJI says it is the perfect size for an A7 notebook, and its Compact Notebook A7 has a loop for it.
  • The cap type comes in 12 US colors (black, blue, blue black, red, pink, orange, yellow, green, cyan, gray, brown, purple); a knock-type version also exists.
  • MUJI calls the ink quick-drying water-based gel that suits left- and right-handed writers; that is a maker claim.
  • MUJI USA gives China as the origin, unlike the full-size gel pens made in Japan, and each pen is in our $ band (under $5).

What is the MUJI Compact Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen?

It’s a short, capped 0.5 mm gel pen with a clip, made to match MUJI’s A7 notebooks. MUJI USA calls it a compact version of its best-selling 0.5 mm gel pens, cute, portable and available in many colors. MUJI is the brand of Ryohin Keikaku, the Japanese retailer.

It belongs to MUJI’s compact range, which also includes a fountain pen, a line marker and the A7 Compact Notebook.

MUJI compact gel pen specs

Spec Value
Maker MUJI (Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.), Japan
Type Capped gel pen with clip
Length 4.3 in (11 cm)
Nib 0.5 mm
Ink Aqueous (water-based) gel
Body Polycarbonate
Colors (cap type, US) 12
Barcode (black) 4550344162446
Made in China (MUJI USA)

MUJI USA gives no weight or barrel width, so the barrel in our drawing is drawn by eye.

Who is the MUJI compact gel pen for?

It suits people who carry a small notebook and want a pen that is shorter than the notebook is tall.

  • Everyday carry: it is 110 mm (4.3 in) long, and MUJI USA says the clip fits a pocket, lanyard or closed notebook.
  • Left-handed writers: MUJI USA calls the quick-drying aqueous gel ink suitable for left- and right-handed writers, at a 0.5 mm nib.

Skip it if you want a full-length grip: at 11 cm it is 3.5 cm shorter than MUJI’s knock pen.

The 11 cm capped MUJI compact gel pen drawn above the 14.5 cm knock pen, to scale
The compact pen is 3.5 cm shorter than MUJI's 14.5 cm knock pen (1 mm = 4 px). Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

Which is better, the capped or knock compact pen?

MUJI USA lists both at the same price; each has 12 colors in the listings we found. The knock type is quicker to use with one hand. We haven’t measured the knock pen’s length: MUJI USA’s listing for it was not read in full, so treat the 11 cm as the cap type’s figure.

Does it fit the A7 notebook?

MUJI USA says so: the Compact Notebook A7 has a loop made to hold the compact pens. The notebook is 10.5 cm tall and the pen 11 cm long, so the pen sits half a centimetre taller than the notebook, according to the listed sizes.

How does it compare with MUJI’s full-size gel pens?

It’s shorter and made in China, where the full-size pens are made in Japan.

Compact cap type Knock pen 0.5 mm Cap-type gel pen
Length 11 cm 14.5 cm 14 cm
Nib 0.5 mm 0.5 mm 0.38 / 0.5 / 0.7 mm
Made in China Japan Japan
Price band $ $ $

Our best pocket pens roundup covers short pens from other brands.

Where is it made, and what does it cost?

In China: MUJI USA gives China as the country or region of origin. Each pen is in our $ band, under $5. MUJI USA sells it as Final Sale, with no refunds or exchanges; we read the page on November 1, 2026, and prices change.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the MUJI compact gel pen?

MUJI USA lists 4.3 in (11 cm), which is 3.5 cm shorter than the 14.5 cm MUJI knock pen.

What colors does the MUJI compact gel pen come in?

MUJI USA lists the cap type in black, blue, blue black, red, pink, orange, yellow, green, cyan, gray, brown and purple.

Does the MUJI compact pen fit the MUJI A7 notebook loop?

MUJI USA says the Compact Notebook A7 has a loop on the side that perfectly fits its Compact Pens.

Is the MUJI compact gel pen refillable?

MUJI USA's listing for the compact pen doesn't mention refills. MUJI's full-size refills are not stated to fit it, so don't assume they do.

Is the MUJI compact pen made in Japan?

No. MUJI USA lists China as the country or region of origin.

Is there a knock-type MUJI compact pen?

Yes. MUJI USA lists a Compact Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen Knock Type 0.5 mm in 12 colors, at the same price as the cap type.

Can I return a MUJI pen bought online?

MUJI USA marks it Final Sale, with no refunds or exchanges, on its product page as we read it.

Sources (3)

  1. MUJI USA: Compact Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen Cap Type 0.5mm - Black (length 11 cm / 4.3 in; nib 0.5 mm; aqueous ink; polycarbonate body; China; read in full November 1, 2026)
  2. MUJI USA: Compact Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen Knock Type 0.5 mm - Black (listing seen in the stationery collection)
  3. MUJI USA stationery collection (product list, read November 1, 2026)

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