--- title: "Tombow MONOgraph Lite Pencil: 0.3 or 0.5 mm With MONO Eraser" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-monograph-lite-mechanical-pencil/" description: "Tombow MONOgraph Lite mechanical pencil explained: 0.3 and 0.5 mm, a retractable 3.6 mm MONO eraser, a 4 mm long pipe, textured grip, 11 colors, 308 yen." category: "Pencils" type: "Mechanical pencil" published: 2026-11-03 updated: 2026-11-03 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 1 products: - name: "Tombow MONOgraph Lite mechanical pencil (0.5 mm DPA-122 and DPA-123; 0.3 mm DPA-121)" brand: "Tombow" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Retractable MONO eraser (non-PVC, phthalate-free) with a textured rubber-like grip and a fixed 4 mm pipe (Tombow)" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)" model: "MONOgraph Lite mechanical pencil" mpn: "DPA-122A" url: "https://www.tombow.com/products/monograph_lite_sh/" --- # Tombow MONOgraph Lite Pencil: 0.3 or 0.5 mm With MONO Eraser > The Tombow MONOgraph Lite mechanical pencil is the entry model of the MONOgraph series, in 0.3 and 0.5 mm. It has a retractable MONO eraser about 3.6 mm across and 30 mm long, a fixed 4 mm long pipe for a clear view of the point, and a textured grip. It costs 308 yen with tax (about US$1.95) in Japan. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-monograph-lite-mechanical-pencil/ - Category: Pencils - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-11-03 - Updated: 2026-11-03 ![Tombow MONOgraph Lite mechanical pencil: a thin metal tip, dark grip, clear barrel with a blue stripe and a white eraser end](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/tombow-monograph-lite-mechanical-pencil-illustration-16x9.png?v=0dc0d349) *The MONOgraph Lite pencil, drawn in proportion (Tombow lists no size); circle: lead sizes, 1 mm = 40 px.* Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times. Original drawing (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) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Tombow MONOgraph Lite mechanical pencil (0.5 mm DPA-122 and DPA-123; 0.3 mm DPA-121) | Tombow (by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)) | Japan | Not stated | Retractable MONO eraser (non-PVC, phthalate-free) with a textured rubber-like grip and a fixed 4 mm pipe (Tombow) | – | $: under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count) | - Made in (Tombow MONOgraph Lite mechanical pencil (0.5 mm DPA-122 and DPA-123; 0.3 mm DPA-121)): Not stated. Tombow's Japanese product page lists models, features, refill steps and prices but no country of manufacture. Check the pack. - Good for: Everyday writing. Skip it if you want a metal body or a large eraser: Tombow lists a 3.6 mm eraser, and the MONOgraph Fine is the metal model. ## Key takeaways - The retractable MONO eraser is about 3.6 mm across and 30 mm long, so it can be run out and used one-handed. - A fixed 4 mm long pipe and a stepped taper give a wide view of the writing point. - Lead sizes are 0.5 mm (DPA-122, DPA-123) and 0.3 mm (DPA-121); Tombow lists seven 0.5 mm colors and four 0.3 mm colors. - A pencil costs 308 yen with tax (about US$1.95) and a pack of 3 replacement erasers (ER-MGL) costs 132 yen (about US$0.84). - Tombow says to refill no more than 3 leads and to run the eraser out about 2 mm; it gives no pencil length or weight. ## What is the Tombow MONOgraph Lite pencil? **It is the entry model of the MONOgraph series, with an eraser you can run out with one hand.** Tombow describes a high-precision mechanical pencil with a retractable MONO eraser, a wide-view long pipe and a high-density textured grip, in the simple MONO brand design shared across the series. We read Tombow's Japanese product page on November 3, 2026. The family also has the [MONOgraph Lite ballpoint](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-monograph-lite-ballpoint/), the [MONOgraph Fine](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-monograph-fine-mechanical-pencil/), the [Grip](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-monograph-grip-mechanical-pencil/) and the [Tune](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-monograph-tune-mechanical-pencil/). ## What are the three features? **Eraser, pipe and grip.** Tombow lists these. - **Retractable MONO eraser.** About 3.6 mm in diameter and 30 mm long, so there is plenty to use. You can run it out quickly with one hand and fix a chosen spot. - **Wide-view long pipe.** A fixed 4 mm pipe and a stepped taper give a wide view of the point. - **High-density textured grip.** The textured surface reduces finger slip so a light grip holds firmly, and keeps the dry feel without the stickiness rubber grips can have. ## Which version should you buy? **Choose the lead size, then a color.** | Lead | Models and colors | |---|---| | 0.5 mm | DPA-122A Mono Color, DPA-122B Full Black, DPA-122C Grayish Blue, DPA-122E Grayish Brown, DPA-122G Grayish Pink, DPA-123A Navy, DPA-123B Gray | | 0.3 mm | DPA-121A Mono Color, DPA-121C Grayish Blue, DPA-121E Grayish Brown, DPA-121G Grayish Pink | Every pencil costs 308 yen with tax (about US$1.95), 280 yen before tax. Replacement erasers (ER-MGL) come three to a pack at 132 yen with tax (about US$0.84), 120 yen before tax. All erasers are non-PVC and phthalate-free, Tombow says. Which models are 0.3 and 0.5 mm comes from the lead-size labels on Tombow's pack photos, not from the text. ## How do you refill and re-erase? **Pull out the eraser unit for lead; turn it to change the eraser.** Tombow's steps: 1. For lead, pull out the eraser unit and add lead from the back, no more than three leads. 2. When you run the eraser out and the retainer appears, it is time to replace it. 3. Turn the eraser unit fully clockwise, pinch the old eraser out, insert the new one and turn counterclockwise to retract it. Tombow says about 2 mm of eraser is the right amount to run out, and that running out too much can snap it. ## Who is the MONOgraph Lite pencil for? **It suits students and office workers who want a MONO-quality pencil with a built-in eraser at a low price.** - **Everyday writing:** It costs 308 yen with tax (about US$1.95), and Tombow sells replacement erasers (ER-MGL) at 132 yen (about US$0.84) for 3. Skip it if you want a metal body or a large eraser: the eraser is 3.6 mm across, and the [MONOgraph Fine](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-monograph-fine-mechanical-pencil/) is the metal model. For more picks see our [best mechanical pencils](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-mechanical-pencils/). ## What should you watch out for? **Drops, heat and over-filling.** Tombow warns that a drop can bend the tip pipe, which can break the lead or stop it feeding. Do not leave the pencil in hot, humid places or direct sun, do not force the eraser unit, and do not over-fill the lead. The tip is sharp and the replacement eraser is a swallowing hazard, so keep both from small children and use the pencil only for writing and the eraser only for erasing. ## Where is it made, and what does it cost? **Tombow's page doesn't state a country of manufacture.** At 308 yen with tax (about US$1.95), it is in our $ band (under $5). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the MONOgraph Lite? The entry model of Tombow's MONOgraph series: a high-precision mechanical pencil with a retractable MONO eraser, a long pipe and a textured grip, in MONO brand design. ### What lead sizes are sold? 0.5 mm and 0.3 mm. DPA-122 and DPA-123 are the 0.5 mm models, DPA-121 the 0.3 mm models. ### How big is the eraser? About 3.6 mm across and 30 mm long, Tombow says, and it runs out with one hand. ### How do I replace the eraser? When the retainer shows after you run the eraser out, unscrew the unit fully clockwise, pull out the old eraser, insert a new one and turn the unit counterclockwise. Replacements are ER-MGL. ### How do I refill the lead? Pull out the eraser unit and drop lead in from the back. Tombow says to add no more than 3 leads. ### What colors are sold? Seven in 0.5 mm: Mono Color, Full Black, Grayish Blue, Grayish Brown, Grayish Pink, Navy and Gray. Four in 0.3 mm: Mono Color, Grayish Blue, Grayish Brown and Grayish Pink. ### How much does it cost? 308 yen with tax (about US$1.95) for a pencil, or 280 yen before tax. A 3-pack of replacement erasers is 132 yen (about US$0.84). ### Where is it made? Tombow's page doesn't say; check the pack. ## Sources - [Tombow (Japanese): MONOgraph Lite mechanical pencil product page (eraser size, pipe, grip, lead sizes, refill and eraser steps, models, prices, cautions; read November 3, 2026)](https://www.tombow.com/products/monograph_lite_sh/)