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Pilot Varsity: The Disposable Fountain Pen Explained

Compiled from 9 sources; we haven't tested this product ourselves yet. How we research

Quick answer

The Pilot Varsity, now sold in the US as the Precise Varsity, is a pre-filled, disposable fountain pen with a medium steel nib, a window that shows the ink left, and 7 ink colors. JetPens lists it at 13.2 cm capped and Goulet Pens at about 10 g. US spec sheets give Japan as the country of origin.

On this page10 sections
Pilot Varsity disposable fountain pen with black ink and the cap posted, drawn to scale, with the nib inset
The black-ink Varsity (90010) with its cap posted, to scale.

Product facts

Product
Pilot Varsity (Precise Varsity) Disposable Fountain Pen, Medium
Brand
Pilot
Brand origin
Japan
Made in
Japan*
Material
Plastic barrel and cap, stainless steel nib
Price range
$under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Ink colors

Black

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Notes on these facts
  • Made by Pilot Corporation (Japan); sold in the US by Pilot Corporation of America. Made in Japan: per OnTimeSupplies' spec sheet for item 90010 (country of origin Japan) and PartsSource's listing for the same item. Pilot USA's product page doesn't state it. Source. Price: example listing.
  • Colors: names per Pilot USA, checked October 24, 2026. Seven ink colors, all with a medium point, per Pilot USA. Tints are the color-chip values on Pilot USA's page. Tints are representative, not measured. Shops stock different colors.
  • Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.

Key takeaways

  • Pilot USA sells it in 7 ink colors: black, blue, red, green, pink, purple and turquoise, all with a medium point that Staples lists as 1.0 mm.
  • JetPens lists 13.2 cm (5.2 in) capped, 11.5 cm uncapped and 14.7 cm posted; Goulet Pens lists about 10 g with the cap.
  • Black is item 90010, blue 90011 and purple 90008; the 7-color pack is 90029.
  • Pilot Japan says its V Pen, the Varsity's name outside the US, isn't technically a fountain pen because its ink differs, and can't be cleaned or switched to another ink.
  • US business-supplier spec sheets list Japan as the country of origin for the black pen, item 90010.

What is the Pilot Varsity?

The Pilot Varsity is a disposable fountain pen: it comes filled with ink, writes with a steel nib, and is thrown away when the ink runs out. Pilot USA now sells it as the Precise Varsity and calls it “the premium everyday fountain pen”. Outside the US the same pen is the V Pen, as JetPens notes.

It is one of the most-bought fountain pens in the US: on October 21, 2026, Varsity packs ranked #18 and #20 in Amazon’s Fountain Pens best-seller list. For many people it is a first fountain pen, because there is nothing to fill or clean.

Pilot Varsity specs

Spec Value
Maker Pilot Corporation (Japan); US seller Pilot Corporation of America
Type Disposable, pre-filled fountain pen
Nib Stainless steel, medium (1.0 mm per Staples and Amazon)
Ink colors Black, blue, red, green, pink, purple, turquoise
Ink supply Visible through a window behind the grip
Length 13.2 cm (5.2 in) capped · 11.5 cm uncapped · 14.7 cm posted (JetPens)
Barrel 11.1 mm (JetPens)
Weight About 10 g with the cap (Goulet Pens)
Item numbers 90010 black · 90011 blue · 90008 purple · 90029 7-color pack
Made in Japan (per US spec sheets)
Pilot Varsity capped, uncapped and posted lengths drawn to scale
Posting the 57 mm cap adds 32 mm, for a 147 mm pen.

Is the Varsity a real fountain pen?

It writes like one, but Pilot’s Japanese site says it technically isn’t. Pilot Japan’s FAQ says the V Pen is not a fountain pen because its ink is different, and that its ink feed can’t take another color or be cleaned the way a fountain pen’s can. Pilot USA, by contrast, markets the Varsity as a fountain pen with a “genuine stainless steel nib” and an “Advanced Liquid Ink Feed System”.

In practice, the nib and the wet line feel like a fountain pen’s. What you give up is refilling, nib choice and ink choice.

Can you refill a Pilot Varsity?

Not officially. Pilot sells it as pre-filled and disposable, and business suppliers list it as not refillable. Goulet Pens notes that enthusiasts pull out the nib and feed and refill the barrel with bottled ink as an eyedropper; Pilot doesn’t support this, and Pilot Japan warns that the V Pen can’t be cleaned.

If you already want a refillable pen, a cartridge pen is the better step. The Pilot Kakuno and the Platinum Preppy both take cartridges and converters, in the next band up.

How does the Varsity compare with starter fountain pens?

The Varsity is the easiest to start with; the Kakuno, Preppy and Pilot Metropolitan are what you buy to keep.

Pilot Varsity Pilot Kakuno Platinum Preppy Pilot Metropolitan
Filling Pre-filled, disposable Cartridge or converter Cartridge or converter Cartridge or converter
Nib choice Medium only EF, F, M 02 EF, 03 F, 05 M F, M, 1.0 stub
Ink choice 7 colors, fixed Any bottled ink Any bottled ink Any bottled ink
Price band $ $$ $$ $$$

Our best fountain pens for beginners roundup compares more starter pens.

Where is the Pilot Varsity made?

US business-supplier spec sheets list Japan as the country of origin. OnTimeSupplies and PartsSource both give Japan for the black pen, item 90010. Pilot USA’s product page doesn’t say where it is made.

How much does a Pilot Varsity cost?

It falls in our lowest band, $ (under $5 per pen). Pilot USA lists single pens, packs of 2, 3, 6 and 7, and dozen boxes.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Pilot Varsity have an ink window?

Yes. A window behind the grip shows how much ink is left, which tells you when it's time for a new pen.

What fountain pen should you buy after a Pilot Varsity?

A cartridge pen such as the Pilot Kakuno or the Platinum Preppy. Both take cartridges or a converter, so you can use any bottled ink and choose your nib, and both sit one price band up.

What nib size is the Pilot Varsity?

Medium, the only size. Staples and Amazon list the point as 1.0 mm. Pilot doesn't sell other nib sizes.

What ink colors does the Varsity come in?

Pilot USA lists 7: black, blue, red, green, pink, purple and turquoise. They are sold singly and in packs, including the 7-color pack 90029.

Is the Pilot Varsity the same as the Pilot V Pen?

Yes. JetPens notes that the V Pen is the Varsity's name outside the US, and Pilot Japan sells it as the Vペン among its sign pens and markers.

How long is the Pilot Varsity?

JetPens lists 13.2 cm (5.2 in) capped, 11.5 cm uncapped and 14.7 cm posted, with an 11.1 mm barrel. Goulet Pens lists a 115 mm body, a 57 mm cap and about 10 g.

Is the Pilot Varsity good for beginners?

It's the simplest way to start, because it arrives filled and there's nothing to fill or clean. The trade-off is a single medium nib and a fixed ink color.

Sources (9)

  1. Pilot USA (Power to the Pen): Precise Varsity (7 ink colors, medium point, pre-filled, visible ink supply)
  2. パイロット よくあるご質問: ペチットワン、Vペンは万年筆ですか? (Pilot Japan FAQ: the V Pen is not a fountain pen; ink can't be changed and the pen can't be cleaned)
  3. Goulet Pens: Pilot Precise Varsity Fountain Pen, Blue (PN90011, UPC 072838900111; eyedropper note)
  4. JetPens: Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen, Black, Medium Nib (13.2 cm capped, 11.5 cm uncapped, 14.7 cm posted; V Pen name; read in search results, as the page blocks automated access)
  5. Staples: Pilot Varsity Fountain Pens, 1.0 mm Nib, Black Ink (90010)
  6. Amazon: PILOT Precise Varsity Pre-Filled Fountain Pens, 1.0 mm, 7-Pack (90029; #20 in Fountain Pens on October 21, 2026)
  7. OnTimeSupplies: Varsity Fountain Pen, Medium, Black Ink, item 90010 (country of origin Japan, not refillable, UPC)
  8. PartsSource: Pilot 90010 Varsity Fountain Pen (country of origin Japan)
  9. Amazon Best Sellers: Fountain Pens (Varsity packs at #18 and #20, October 21, 2026)

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