---
title: "Zebra T-3 Mini Ballpoint: 100 mm Planner Pen"
canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/zebra-t-3/"
description: "Zebra T-3 mini ballpoint explained: a 100 mm stainless steel planner pen, 5.6 mm thin and 7.5 g, the 4C/D1 refill, the TS-3 pencil, the clip and its origin."
category: "Pens"
type: "Ballpoint"
published: 2026-10-23
updated: 2026-10-24
author: "Ellis Penhale"
publisher: "Stationery Times"
sources: 4
products:
  - name: "Zebra T-3 mini stainless steel ballpoint pen, 0.7 mm"
    brand: "Zebra"
    brand_origin: "Japan"
    made_in: "Japan"
    material: "Stainless steel body (Hunter Paper Co.), black clip (JetPens)"
    price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)"
    manufacturer: "Zebra Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Zebra Pen Corporation"
    model: "T-3"
    mpn: "T-3"
    gtin: "4901681228102"
    url: "https://www.zebra.co.jp/pro/detail/t/"
---

# Zebra T-3 Mini Ballpoint: 100 mm Planner Pen

> The Zebra T-3 is a tiny stainless steel ballpoint made to ride in a planner's pen loop or spine. Zebra Japan lists it at 100.0 mm long, 5.6 mm across and 7.5 g, with a 0.7 mm black 4C refill, a D1-size mini cartridge. It costs ¥440 (about US$2.80) in Japan and sits in our $$ band in the US.

- URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/zebra-t-3/
- Category: Pens
- Author: Ellis Penhale
- Published: 2026-10-23
- Updated: 2026-10-24

![Zebra T-3 mini ballpoint in stainless steel with a black clip, drawn to scale at 100 mm, with a tip inset](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/zebra-t-3-16x9.png)

*The T-3, 100 mm long (drawn at 1 mm = 5 px).* Original drawing (SVG): <https://stationerytimes.com/images/zebra-t-3-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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zebra T-3 mini stainless steel ballpoint pen, 0.7 mm | Zebra (by Zebra Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Zebra Pen Corporation) | Japan | Japan | Stainless steel body (Hunter Paper Co.), black clip (JetPens) | – | $$: $5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) |

- Made in (Zebra T-3 mini stainless steel ballpoint pen, 0.7 mm): Japan. Hunter Paper Co.'s listing says made in Japan (read October 23, 2026). Zebra's Japanese product page doesn't state a country. Source: https://hunterpaperco.com/products/zebra-t-3-mini-stainless-steel-ballpoint-pen-0-7mm

### Zebra T-3 mini stainless steel ballpoint pen, 0.7 mm colors

- Ink in the box: black.
- Per Zebra Japan (https://www.zebra.co.jp/pro/detail/t/), checked 2026-10-24. Zebra Japan lists one ink color for the T-3, black (黒); the name is given in English. The tint was set by hand. Shops stock different colors; check the listing.

## Key takeaways

- Zebra Japan lists the T-3 at 100.0 mm (3.9 in) long, 5.6 mm (0.22 in) across and 7.5 g.
- It takes Zebra's 4C-0.7 refill with black oil-based ink; Hunter Paper Co. calls it a D1 refill, the shared mini size.
- Zebra's Japanese list price is ¥440 (about US$2.80) with tax; in the US it sits in our $$ band, $5–20.
- A matching TS-3 0.5 mm mechanical pencil is 99.1 mm and 6.4 g, per Zebra Japan.
- Hunter Paper Co. lists the T-3 as stainless steel and made in Japan; the main Amazon.com listing had 3,732 ratings on October 23, 2026.

## What is the Zebra T-3?

**It is Zebra's mini ballpoint for planners: a slim stainless steel pen 100 mm long that fits in a pen loop or a planner's spine.** Zebra Japan files it under 手帳用, "for planners", with the tagline "a short size that fits in your planner".

In the US, Amazon.com sells it as the Zebra Mini Ballpoint Pen (T-3) and JetPens as the Zebra Techo T-3 Mini, with a metallic silver barrel and a black clip.

## Zebra T-3 specs

| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | Zebra Co., Ltd., Japan |
| Model | T-3 (JAN 4901681228102) |
| Ink | Black, oil-based |
| Refill | 4C-0.7 (D1 size, per Hunter Paper Co.) |
| Tip | 0.7 mm |
| Body | Stainless steel, black clip |
| Length | 100.0 mm (3.9 in) |
| Diameter | 5.6 mm (0.22 in) max |
| Weight | 7.5 g |
| Japanese list price | ¥440 (about US$2.80) with tax |

From Zebra Japan's product page except the material (Hunter Paper Co.) and clip color (JetPens). Hunter Paper Co. gives 7 g and 6 mm.

## How small is the T-3 compared with a regular pen?

**It is about a third shorter than a full-size Zebra F-701 and much thinner.** At 100 mm it is shorter than an A6 page is wide (105 mm), so it can lie inside even a small planner.

![Zebra T-3 at 100.0 mm and 7.5 g, TS-3 pencil at 99.1 mm and 6.4 g, and Zebra F-701 at about 133 mm, drawn to scale](https://stationerytimes.com/images/zebra-t-3-sizes.svg)

*The T-3, the TS-3 pencil and an F-701 to scale.*

| | T-3 | TS-3 pencil | [Zebra F-701](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/zebra-f-701/) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Ballpoint, 0.7 mm | Mechanical pencil, 0.5 mm | Ballpoint, 0.7 mm |
| Length | 100.0 mm | 99.1 mm | About 133 mm |
| Weight | 7.5 g | 6.4 g | About 21 g |

T-3 and TS-3 figures from Zebra Japan; F-701 from our guide.


## What refill does the T-3 take?

**Zebra's 4C refill in 0.7 mm with black oil-based ink.** Hunter Paper Co. calls it a D1 refill, the standard mini size that many multi-pens and mini pens share.

Zebra Japan sells the 4C-0.7 separately, so a T-3 can be refilled rather than thrown away.

## How do you open and close it?

**Press the top button to extend the point, then squeeze the clip to retract it, per Hunter Paper Co.**

## How does the T-3 compare with other pocket pens?

**It is among the cheapest of the pocket pens we compare, mid-length, and at 5.6 mm much thinner than the 13 mm Kaweco Sport.** The [Kaweco Sport](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kaweco-sport/) ballpoint is a little longer and much thicker, and the Fisher Bullet is shorter but needs its cap posted to write.

| Pen | Closed | Refill | Made in | Band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zebra T-3 | 100 mm (3.9 in) | D1 (4C) | Japan | $$ |
| Kaweco Classic Sport ballpoint | 105 mm (4.1 in) | D1 | Germany | $$$ |
| [Fisher Space Pen Bullet](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/fisher-space-pen-bullet/) | 96 mm (3.77 in) | Fisher PR4 | United States | $$$ |
| Rite in the Rain No. 92 | 86 mm (3.4 in) | Pressurized cartridge | United States | $$ |

From our [best pocket pens](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-pocket-pens/) comparison. Because the T-3 and Kaweco Sport ballpoint share the D1 size, a favorite D1 refill can move between them. The capped [Penco Bullet Ballpoint Pen Light](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/penco-bullet-ballpoint-pen/) also takes a 2.3 × 67 mm 4C refill, in an 8 g, 93 mm resin body.

The T-3 is the one to choose when width matters most, as in a planner spine or a narrow pen loop; for wet weather, a pressurized pen suits better.

## How much does the T-3 cost?

**In Japan, ¥440 (about US$2.80) with tax, per Zebra; in the US it sits in our $$ band, $5–20.**

The matching TS-3 pencil also lists at ¥440 (about US$2.80) in Japan.

## Is the T-3 popular in the US?

**Yes: it is one of the best-known planner pens.** The main Amazon.com listing had 3,732 ratings on October 23, 2026, and our pocket pens roundup picks it as the cheapest pocket pen.

For a bigger metal everyday pen, see the [Fisher Space Pen AG7](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/fisher-space-pen-ag7/).

## Where is the Zebra T-3 made?

**In Japan, according to Hunter Paper Co.'s listing.** Zebra's Japanese product page doesn't state a country. Zebra is a Tokyo company; our [Zebra history](https://stationerytimes.com/stories/zebra-pen-history/) covers its story.

## Frequently asked questions

### Will the Zebra T-3 fit in a Hobonichi or Traveler's Notebook pen loop?

It is a good candidate: Zebra lists it at only 5.6 mm across, much thinner than a typical pen, and at 100 mm it is shorter than an A6 page is wide. Check your loop's size before buying.

### What refill does the Zebra T-3 use?

Zebra's 4C refill in 0.7 mm. Hunter Paper Co. calls it a D1 refill, so other D1 mini refills of the same length should fit.

### How do you retract the Zebra T-3?

Hunter Paper Co. says you press the top button to extend the point and squeeze the clip to retract it.

### Is there a Zebra T-3 pencil?

Yes, the TS-3, a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil at 99.1 mm and 6.4 g, per Zebra Japan, with a replaceable eraser.

### Is the Zebra T-3 the same as the Zebra mini ballpoint on Amazon?

Yes. Amazon.com sells it as the Zebra Mini Ballpoint Pen 0.7 mm, Silver Body, Black Ink (T-3), and JetPens as the Zebra Techo T-3 Mini.

### Is the Zebra T-3 made in Japan?

Yes, according to Hunter Paper Co.'s listing. Zebra's own page doesn't state a country.

## Sources

- [Zebra (Japanese): 手帳用 油性ボールペン T-3 and シャープ0.5 TS-3 (Φ5.6 × 100.0 mm, 7.5 g, 4C-0.7, JAN 228102, ¥440; read October 23, 2026)](https://www.zebra.co.jp/pro/detail/t/)
- [Hunter Paper Co.: Zebra T-3 Mini Stainless Steel Ballpoint Pen 0.7 mm (stainless steel, 7 g, 10.0 cm, 6 mm, D1 refills, made in Japan; read October 23, 2026)](https://hunterpaperco.com/products/zebra-t-3-mini-stainless-steel-ballpoint-pen-0-7mm)
- [JetPens: Zebra ballpoint pens (Zebra Techo T-3 Mini, metallic silver barrel and black clip)](https://www.jetpens.com/Zebra-Ballpoint-Pens/ct/2694)
- [Amazon.com: Zebra Mini Ballpoint Pen 0.7 mm, Silver Body, Black Ink (T-3) (3,732 ratings on October 23, 2026)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018RHUM0)