How to use the cornell notes template printable
- Enter a title and decide whether to print lines for name, class, topic and date.
- Set the cue column width and the summary box height in inches. The 2.5 and 2 shown are examples.
- Pick the line spacing: narrow, standard or wide, and choose how many copies to print.
- Check the preview, then press Download PDF or Print.
The three parts of a Cornell page
A Cornell page is split into three parts. The wide area on the right is for notes taken during a lecture or while reading. The narrow column on the left is the cue column, where you write key words or questions after class. The box along the bottom is for a short summary in your own words. The layout is named after Cornell University.
With the default sizes, the cue column is 2.5 inches wide, which is 180 points on the page, and the summary box is 2 inches tall, which is 144 points. The notes area gets the rest of the width and the height between the header and the summary. You can change both sizes from 1 to 4 inches.
Using the page
Take notes in the right column as usual and leave the left side empty. Soon afterward, read through the notes and write a cue for each main point, such as a question you could answer from the note. Cover the notes column and use the cues to quiz yourself. Last, write the summary in a sentence or two.
Narrow lines fit more writing on a page, while wide lines suit large handwriting or notes with small sketches. A narrow cue column leaves more room for notes, but a wide one holds longer questions. For other study aids, see the Flashcard Maker, the Lesson Plan Template Printable, and the Lined Paper Handwriting Generator.
Assumptions and limits
- The page prints on US Letter paper in portrait orientation with 0.5 inch margins.
- The cue column and summary box sizes are measured in inches on the printed page.
- When the cue column is narrower than 1.75 inches, its label is shortened to Cues so it fits.
- Nothing you enter leaves your device.
Frequently asked questions
What are the parts of a Cornell notes template?
A cue column on the left, a notes area on the right and a summary box at the bottom. This page prints all three with a header for your name, class, topic and date.
How wide should the cue column be?
Many templates use about 2.5 inches, and this page starts there. You can pick anything from 1 to 4 inches, depending on how long your cues are.
How do I use Cornell notes?
Write notes on the right during class, add cues on the left afterward, cover the notes and use the cues to test yourself, then write a short summary at the bottom.
Can I print more than one page?
Yes. Choose up to 30 copies. Each one is a separate blank page with the same layout.