Compiled from 9 sources; we haven't tested this product ourselves yet. How we research
Quick answer
The STABILO BOSS ORIGINAL is the flat, wedge-shaped highlighter STABILO has made since 1971. Its chisel tip draws 5 mm or 2 mm lines, and STABILO says its anti-dry-out ink lasts up to 4 hours uncapped. JetPens lists it at 10.5 cm long capped and 27 mm wide; fluorescent colors can be refilled.
On this page11 sections
The BOSS ORIGINAL in yellow, 105 mm capped and 27 mm wide (drawn at 1 mm = 5 px).
$under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Ink colors
blue
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Notes on these facts
Made by Schwan-STABILO (Heroldsberg, Germany). Made in Germany: Galaxus, BSL-IT and Icecat product data all give Germany for Boss Original packs. Stabilo's own pages don't state it in the sources we found. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Stabilo dates the design to 1971; JetPens says it was first released in 1972. We use Stabilo's date.
Colors: names per STABILO UK, checked October 24, 2026. The 9 fluorescent single colors (blue to yellow) and the 14 pastels (breezy blue to pastel dusty grey) per STABILO's UK shop, the pastels on its BOSS ORIGINAL Pastel page, named as STABILO UK writes them; tints are the hex chips STABILO's shop uses. STABILO's German shop counts 34 colors and a black marker in all; the others, such as the carmine Real Red (70/48) and the black marker (70/46), aren't listed here. Tints are representative, not measured. Shops stock different colors.
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
STABILO dates the BOSS ORIGINAL to 1971 and calls it Europe's number-one highlighter.
The chisel tip draws two line widths, 2 mm and 5 mm, per STABILO.
STABILO says its anti-dry-out technology keeps the pen usable for up to 4 hours with the cap off.
JetPens lists it at 10.5 cm (4.1 in) capped, 12.3 cm (4.8 in) posted and 27.0 mm (1.1 in) at its widest.
STABILO's German shop lists 34 colors plus a black marker, at €1.50 (about US$1.70) for a single pen; pastel colors can't be refilled.
What is the STABILO BOSS ORIGINAL?
It is STABILO’s classic flat highlighter, a wedge-shaped design the German maker has sold since 1971. STABILO calls it “Europe’s number-one highlighter” and an “incomparable design classic,” popular with students, office workers and designers.
The flat body is the giveaway: wide on one face, thin on the other, with a black cap over an angled chisel tip. It writes with a water-based ink that STABILO designed to survive hours with the cap off.
STABILO BOSS ORIGINAL specs
Spec
Value
Maker
Schwan-STABILO, Germany
Model
70 (yellow: 70/24)
Tip
Chisel, 2 mm and 5 mm lines
Ink
Water-based; not waterproof, not erasable
Cap-off time
Up to 4 hours (STABILO)
Refillable
Yes, except pastel colors
Length
10.5 cm (4.1 in) capped; 12.3 cm (4.8 in) posted
Width
27.0 mm (1.1 in) at the widest
Colors
34 plus a black marker
German list price
€1.50 (about US$1.70)
Ink, tip, colors and price are from STABILO’s German shop; the sizes from JetPens. STABILO’s data also notes that the ink contains the preservative BIT, so avoid skin contact.
How do you get 2 mm and 5 mm lines?
Use the broad face of the chisel for a 5 mm band and turn the pen 90° for a 2 mm line. That lets one pen highlight a whole line of print or underline a single word.
One chisel tip, two line widths.
STABILO suggests the same trick for hand lettering and journaling: the broad stroke for color blocks, the narrow edge for lines.
How long does a STABILO BOSS last uncapped?
STABILO says up to 4 hours without drying out, thanks to what it calls anti-dry-out technology. That is meant for long study sessions where the cap goes missing; it isn’t a reason to store it open.
When the ink does run low, the fluorescent colors can be refilled with STABILO’s BOSS ORIGINAL refill, which the maker pitches as less waste. The pastel colors can’t be refilled.
What colors does the STABILO BOSS come in?
STABILO’s German shop lists 34 colors plus a black marker. The core range splits into fluorescent colors and the softer pastels; STABILO’s 23-color set holds 9 fluorescent and 14 pastel shades.
Pastels are the answer to the Zebra Mildliner’s muted tones, though the Mildliner is double-ended with a fine bullet tip and the BOSS isn’t.
Buy the BOSS ORIGINAL refill in the matching fluorescent color and refill the pen with it. STABILO sells the refill as a separate product and frames it as the resource-friendly option, cutting the waste of throwing away a whole highlighter.
We haven’t refilled one yet, so follow the instructions on the refill pack. Remember that the pastel BOSS colors have no refill; when a pastel runs dry, you replace the pen.
Does the STABILO BOSS bleed through paper?
It can on thin paper: it is a liquid, water-based highlighter, and STABILO makes no no-bleed claim. On ordinary printer and notebook paper it is the classic choice; on thin Bible pages or Tomoe River, a gel or pigment highlighter is the safer bet.
Our best highlighters that don’t bleed compares the BOSS with gel, pigment and erasable options. If you write and then highlight, a highlighter-safe pen such as the Zebra Sarasa Mark On keeps your own handwriting from smearing.
Where is the STABILO BOSS ORIGINAL made?
Galaxus and other European product databases give Germany as the country of origin. STABILO’s own pages don’t state it in the sources we read; the company, Schwan-STABILO, is based in Heroldsberg near Nuremberg.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a STABILO BOSS stay uncapped?
Up to 4 hours without drying out, according to STABILO, thanks to what it calls anti-dry-out technology. After that, cap it.
Can you refill a STABILO BOSS ORIGINAL?
Yes, the fluorescent colors, with STABILO's BOSS ORIGINAL refill. STABILO says the pastel colors can't be refilled.
Is the STABILO BOSS safe for Bible pages?
It is a water-based liquid highlighter, so it can show through thin paper. STABILO doesn't make a no-bleed claim; for thin Bible pages, a gel or pigment highlighter is safer.
Is STABILO BOSS ink waterproof?
No. STABILO's German product data lists it as not waterproof and not erasable.
Why is the STABILO BOSS flat?
The flat, wedge shape is STABILO's 1971 design, which it calls an incomparable design classic. STABILO doesn't give a functional reason for the shape in the pages we read.
How many colors does the STABILO BOSS come in?
STABILO's German shop lists 34 colors plus a black marker, including 9 fluorescent and 14 pastel shades in the core range.
