--- title: "Sharpie S-Gel: Tip Sizes, Smear Claims & Refills" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sharpie-s-gel/" description: "Sharpie S-Gel gel pen explained: 0.38 to 1.0 mm tip sizes, smear claims, refills, colors, how it compares with the Pilot G2, and where it's made." category: "Pens" type: "Gel pen" published: 2026-10-20 updated: 2026-10-20 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 21 products: - name: "Sharpie S-Gel retractable gel pen (0.38 / 0.5 / 0.7 / 1.0 mm)" brand: "Sharpie" brand_origin: "United States" made_in: "United States" material: "Plastic barrel, contoured rubber grip" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Sanford L.P., a Newell Brands company" url: "https://www.sharpie.com/pens/gel-pens/sharpie-s-gel-fine-point-0.5mm/SAP_2096146.html" --- # Sharpie S-Gel: Tip Sizes, Smear Claims & Refills > The Sharpie S-Gel is a retractable gel pen sold under the Sharpie brand by Newell Brands. It comes in 0.38, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 mm tips, uses water-based gel ink that Sharpie markets as 'no smear, no bleed', and is sold mostly in 4- to 12-count packs. Only the 0.7 mm medium point has official refills. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sharpie-s-gel/ - Category: Pens - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-20 - Updated: 2026-10-20 ![Side view of a black Sharpie S-Gel 0.7 mm medium point retractable gel pen with the tip out: black barrel, contoured rubber grip, pocket clip and push button](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/sharpie-s-gel-16x9.png) *The Sharpie S-Gel 0.7 mm medium point, the size with the most packs and the only one with refills.* Original drawing (SVG): https://stationerytimes.com/images/sharpie-s-gel-cover.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) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Sharpie S-Gel retractable gel pen (0.38 / 0.5 / 0.7 / 1.0 mm) | Sharpie (by Sanford L.P., a Newell Brands company) | United States | United States | Plastic barrel, contoured rubber grip | – | $: under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | - Made in (Sharpie S-Gel retractable gel pen (0.38 / 0.5 / 0.7 / 1.0 mm)): United States. Per Sharpie's product records for several 12-count packs (they no longer load for us as of October 20, 2026) and distributor spec sheets. A reviewer reports the packaging reads 'assembled in the U.S.A.', which may mean imported parts; one third-party database lists China. Inbound Logistics (October 2025) reports that Newell's Maryville, Tennessee Sharpie plant had to learn to make ink refills for the gel pen as production moved back from China. Source: https://sites.salsify.com/41c9c255-1884-40e0-bc05-ad8dd5617744/b2dae3b8-7a2e-4ca6-8428-8273de608721/product/SAP_2096152/Sharpie(r)-S-Gel-Gel-Pens-Medium-Point-(0-7mm)-Blue-Ink-Gel-Pen-12-Count/ ## Key takeaways - Four tip sizes: 0.38 mm ultra fine, 0.5 mm fine, 0.7 mm medium and 1.0 mm bold. The 0.7 mm medium is the most widely stocked. - Sharpie sells refills only for the 0.7 mm medium point, in 2-count packs of black or blue; it says 0.38 mm refills are not available. - The ink is water-based gel ink. Sharpie says it is not waterproof and not permanent, so it is not meant for checks. - Sharpie's own product records list the country of origin of S-Gel 12-count packs as the United States; a reviewer reports the packaging says 'assembled in the U.S.A.' - Unlike the S-Gel, the Pilot G2 offers official refills in all four of its sizes (0.38, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 mm). ## What is the Sharpie S-Gel? **The Sharpie S-Gel is a click-retractable gel pen sold under the Sharpie brand, which is owned by Newell Brands.** It is Sharpie's gel pen, not a marker: it writes in water-based gel ink and is designed for paper. ![The four Sharpie S-Gel tip sizes drawn to scale at 200 times: 0.38 mm ultra fine, 0.5 mm fine, 0.7 mm medium and 1.0 mm bold](https://stationerytimes.com/images/sharpie-s-gel-tip-sizes.svg) *The four S-Gel tip sizes at 200×. Only the 0.7 mm medium point has official refills.* Sharpie describes it as a "high performance gel pen" with "no smear, no bleed" gel technology and a contoured rubber grip. It is sold mostly in multipacks such as 4, 8 and 12 pens, with black, blue and red ink as the core colors. ## What tip sizes does the S-Gel come in? **Four: 0.38 mm (ultra fine), 0.5 mm (fine), 0.7 mm (medium) and 1.0 mm (bold).** Sharpie lists each size as its own product. The 0.7 mm medium point is the one with the most packs, including the fashion-barrel and assorted-color sets. | Point name | Tip size | Ink colors (core) | Official refills | |---|---|---|---| | Ultra fine | 0.38 mm | Black | No (Sharpie says not available) | | Fine | 0.5 mm | Black, blue, red | Not found | | Medium | 0.7 mm | Black, blue, red + assorted colors | Yes, 2-count packs (black, blue) | | Bold | 1.0 mm | Black, blue, red | Not found | The drawing above shows the four tips to scale at 200×: the 1.0 mm bold ball is about 2.6 times the diameter of the 0.38 mm ultra fine. The tip size is the ball diameter, not the width of the line; gel lines are usually a little wider or narrower depending on the paper. ## Sharpie S-Gel specs | Spec | Value | |---|---| | Brand / maker | Sharpie / Sanford L.P. (Newell Brands) | | Type | Click-retractable gel pen with rubber grip | | Tip sizes | 0.38 mm · 0.5 mm · 0.7 mm · 1.0 mm | | Ink | Water-based gel ink; not waterproof, not permanent (per Sharpie) | | Core ink colors | Black, blue, red | | Common packs | 4, 8 and 12 count (refills in 2-count) | | Refill | 0.7 mm only, 2-count (black item 2096168) | | Made in | United States per Sharpie's product records; packaging reads "assembled in the U.S.A." per a reviewer | Sharpie doesn't publish an official length or weight for the S-Gel in the sources we found, so we've left them out. ## Does Sharpie S-Gel ink smear? **Sharpie says it doesn't: the S-Gel is marketed with "no smear, no bleed" gel ink technology.** That is the maker's claim, not something we've tested. A Swiss retailer listing adds that the ink dries in less than 2 seconds; we found that figure only on the retailer's page, not on Sharpie's. Two things Sharpie itself is clear about: - **Not waterproof:** Sharpie's FAQ says the S-Gel uses water-based ink and is not waterproof. - **Not permanent:** it is not permanent like an original [Sharpie Fine Point](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sharpie-fine-point/) marker and should not be used for checks. Sharpie recommends a pen labeled permanent or fraud-resistant for that. Independent opinion is mixed. In a 2020 review of four 0.7 mm S-Gels, The Pen Addict found the black ink the weakest of the set and the blue much closer to a Pilot G2. ## Is the Sharpie S-Gel refillable? **Only the 0.7 mm medium point has official refills.** Sharpie sells S-Gel medium point refills in 2-count packs of black (item 2096168) or blue ink, and says these fit S-Gel medium point pens. A Sharpie consumer-care answer from June 2026 says refills are currently sold only in 2-counts. For the 0.38 mm ultra fine, Sharpie says refills are not available. We didn't find official 0.5 mm or 1.0 mm refills either, and at least one office-supply retailer lists the S-Gel as "not refillable". ## What colors does the S-Gel come in? **Black, blue and red are the core colors in every size except 0.38 mm (black only).** The 0.7 mm medium point adds more: - **Assorted packs:** for example a 12-pack with 4 black, 4 blue and 4 red pens (item 2090624). - **Fashion barrels:** pearl white, gray and frost blue bodies, some with bold ink colors. - **Trending colors:** Sharpie sells a "Trending Colors" medium point set. Exact colors vary by pack, so check the item number on the package. For bright multi-color packs, the [Paper Mate InkJoy Gel](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/paper-mate-inkjoy-gel/), also from Newell Brands, comes in assorted packs of 14, 22 and 30 pens. ## How does the Sharpie S-Gel compare to the Pilot G2? **They are close rivals: both are click-retractable gel pens in the same four tip sizes. The G2 has refills in every size; the S-Gel only in 0.7 mm.** | | Sharpie S-Gel | [Pilot G2](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-g2/) | |---|---|---| | Maker | Sanford L.P. (Newell Brands), US | Pilot Corporation (Japan) | | Tip sizes | 0.38, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0 mm | 0.38, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0 mm | | Mechanism | Click-retractable | Click-retractable | | Ink | Water-based gel | Gel | | Official refills | 0.7 mm only | All four sizes | | Made in | United States (assembled, per packaging) | Japan (per retailer listings) | | Maker's ink claim | "No smear, no bleed" | — | If you want a pen you can keep and refill in any size, the Pilot G2 is the safer pick. If you want a quick-drying alternative to both, see our [Pentel EnerGel](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pentel-energel/) guide. For a 0.7 mm gel pen with a weighted grip, see the [Zebra bLen](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/zebra-blen/). ## Where is the Sharpie S-Gel made? **Sharpie's own product records list the United States as the country of origin for S-Gel 12-count packs in 0.38, 0.7 and 1.0 mm.** A US distributor lists the same, adding that country of origin is subject to change. The details are more nuanced. A reviewer at Unsharpen reports the blister pack and box say "assembled in the U.S.A.", which under US rules is not the same as "Made in USA" and can mean some parts are imported. A separate Unsharpen spec page lists China. Inbound Logistics reported in October 2025 that as Newell moved Sharpie production from China to its Maryville, Tennessee factory, the plant had to develop the ability to make ink refills for the gel pen. Check the packaging of the exact pack you buy. ## Which tip size should you choose? **Pick 0.7 mm medium for everyday writing and refills; go finer for small handwriting or thin paper.** - **0.38 mm ultra fine:** planners, margins and very small writing. Black only, no refills. - **0.5 mm fine:** neat notes and forms. A good middle ground on thin paper such as a [mini composition book](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/mini-composition-books/). - **0.7 mm medium:** the default size, the most colors, and the only one with refills. - **1.0 mm bold:** signatures and headings. It puts down the most ink, so use thicker paper. ## Frequently asked questions ### What tip sizes does the Sharpie S-Gel come in? Four: 0.38 mm ultra fine, 0.5 mm fine, 0.7 mm medium and 1.0 mm bold. The 0.7 mm medium point is the most common size in stores and comes in the most ink and barrel colors. ### Is the Sharpie S-Gel refillable? Only the 0.7 mm medium point, officially. Sharpie sells 0.7 mm S-Gel refills in 2-count packs of black or blue ink (black is item 2096168). Sharpie says refills for the 0.38 mm ultra fine are not available. ### Does Sharpie S-Gel ink smear? Sharpie markets the S-Gel as having 'no smear, no bleed' gel ink technology. That is the maker's claim; one reviewer at The Pen Addict found the black 0.7 mm less consistent than the blue. ### Is Sharpie S-Gel ink permanent or waterproof? No. Sharpie says the S-Gel uses water-based gel ink that is not waterproof and not permanent like a Sharpie marker. For checks, Sharpie recommends a pen labeled permanent or fraud-resistant. ### Where is the Sharpie S-Gel made? Sharpie's product records list the United States as the country of origin for several S-Gel 12-count packs. A reviewer reports the packaging says 'assembled in the U.S.A.', which can mean some parts are imported. ### What colors does the Sharpie S-Gel come in? The core colors are black, blue and red in every size. The 0.7 mm medium point also comes in assorted-color packs and fashion-barrel packs with pearl white, gray and frost blue bodies. ### Is the Sharpie S-Gel better than the Pilot G2? They are similar retractable gel pens in the same four tip sizes. The Pilot G2 has official refills in every size and is made in Japan per retailer listings; the S-Gel has refills only for 0.7 mm. A 2020 Pen Addict review preferred the G2. ### Who makes the Sharpie S-Gel? Sanford L.P., the Newell Brands company in Atlanta that owns the Sharpie trademarks. Distributor spec sheets list Newell Brands, its parent, as the manufacturer. ## Sources - [Sharpie: S-Gel Fine Point (0.5 mm) product page and FAQ](https://www.sharpie.com/pens/gel-pens/sharpie-s-gel-fine-point-0.5mm/SAP_2096146.html) - [Sharpie: S-Gel Ultra Fine Point (0.38 mm) product page](https://www.sharpie.com/pens/gel-pens/sharpie-s-gel-ultra-fine-point-0.38-mm/SP_1152957.html) - [Sharpie: S-Gel Medium Point Refills (0.7 mm) product page](https://www.sharpie.com/pens/gel-pens/sharpie-s-gel-medium-point-refills-0.7mm/SP_1478934.html) - [Sharpie: S-Gel Trending Colors, Medium Point (0.7 mm)](https://www.sharpie.com/pens/gel-pens/sharpie-s-gel-trending-colors-medium-point-0.7mm/SP_4733726.html) - [Sharpie product record: S-Gel Medium Point (0.7 mm) Blue, 12 Count (country of origin)](https://sites.salsify.com/41c9c255-1884-40e0-bc05-ad8dd5617744/b2dae3b8-7a2e-4ca6-8428-8273de608721/product/SAP_2096152/Sharpie(r)-S-Gel-Gel-Pens-Medium-Point-(0-7mm)-Blue-Ink-Gel-Pen-12-Count/) - [Sharpie product record: S-Gel Ultra Fine Point (0.38 mm) Black, 12 Count](https://sites.salsify.com/41c9c255-1884-40e0-bc05-ad8dd5617744/b2dae3b8-7a2e-4ca6-8428-8273de608721/product/SAP_2140521/Sharpie(r)-S-Gel-Gel-Pens-Ultra-Fine-Point-(0-38mm)-Black-12-Count/) - [Sharpie product record: S-Gel Bold Point (1.0 mm) Blue, 12 Count](https://sites.salsify.com/41c9c255-1884-40e0-bc05-ad8dd5617744/b2dae3b8-7a2e-4ca6-8428-8273de608721/product/SAP_2096187/Sharpie(r)-S-Gel-Gel-Pens-Bold-Point-(1-0mm)-Blue-Ink-Gel-Pen-12-Count/) - [Sharpie product record: S-Gel Fashion Barrel, Pearl White Body, Medium (0.7 mm), 12 Count](https://sites.salsify.com/41c9c255-1884-40e0-bc05-ad8dd5617744/b2dae3b8-7a2e-4ca6-8428-8273de608721/product/SAP_2221454/Sharpie(r)-S-Gel-Pens-Fashion-Barrel-Gel-Pens-Pearl-White-Body-Medium-(0-7mm)-Point-Bold-Ink-Colors-12-Count/) - [ADI Global Distribution: S-Gel Bold 1.0 mm 12-pack (manufacturer, country of origin)](https://adiglobaldistribution.pr/Product/7D-2096140) - [Officeworks: Sharpie S-Gel Pen Refills 0.7 mm Black 2 Pack (SH2096168)](https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/sharpie-s-gel-pen-refills-0-7mm-black-2-pack-sh2096168) - [School Specialty: Sharpie S-Gel Medium Point, Assorted Colors, Pack of 12 (2090624)](https://www.schoolspecialty.com/sharpie-s-gel-gel-pens-medium-point-assorted-colors-pack-of-12-2090624) - [Blue Dog Ink: Sharpie S-Gel 0.7 mm, black and blue ink, black/gray/white barrels, 12-pack (2129832)](https://www.bluedogink.com/sharpie-s-gel-gel-pen-retractable-medium-0-7-mm-black-blue-ink-black-gray-white-barrels-12-pack-2129832.html) - [Swiss Post shop: Sharpie gel pen 0.7 mm (drying-time claim)](https://shop.post.ch/en/stationery/writing-utensils/gel-pens/sharpie-gelschreiber-0-7mm-2136595-schwarz/p/860141) - [Unsharpen: Where is the Sharpie S-Gel pen made? (packaging wording)](https://unsharpen.com/where-is-the-sharpie-s-gel-pen-made/) - [Unsharpen: Sharpie S-Gel spec page](https://unsharpen.com/pen/sharpie-s-gel/) - [The Pen Addict: Sharpie Pen S-Gel 0.7 mm review (August 10, 2020)](https://www.penaddict.com/blog/2020/8/10/sharpie-pen-s-gel-07-mm-pen-review) - [JetPens: Pilot G2 gel pens (sizes, refills)](https://www.jetpens.com/Pilot-G2-Gel-Pens/ct/42) - [Stop & Shop: Pilot G2 0.7 mm blue 2-pack (country of origin Japan)](https://stopandshop.com/groceries/home-office/school-office/office-supplies/pens/pilot-g2-pens-fine-blue-ink-7mm-2-ct-pkg.html) - [Inbound Logistics, October 2025: Sharpie rewrites supply chain strategy (Maryville, Tennessee plant; gel pen ink refills)](https://magazine.inboundlogistics.com/view/125389672/50) - [Newell Brands: Sharpie brand page (smooth gel pens that won't bleed)](https://www.newellbrands.com/our-brands/sharpie) - [CIPO (Canadian trademark database): SHARPIE registration TMA1147563, registered owner Sanford, L.P., Atlanta](https://ised-isde.canada.ca/cipo/trademark-search/1980166)