The Ultimate Moleskine Guide: Choosing The Right Size & Style

by Galen Leather June 24, 2026 1 Comment

Anyone who has ever had to scrounge in their bag or their office for a piece of paper when a great thought or idea strikes knows the importance of carrying around a notebook, but no one wants to carry something generic, right? That's where a Moleskine notebook can come in handy. It's always ready and waiting for your next big idea, and in the meantime, it looks great too. When it comes down to picking out the right journal for you, however, you may be surprised just how many Moleskine notebook sizes there are. Extra large sizes are slightly larger than A5 while the large sizes are slightly smaller.

As devote lovers of everything Moleskine makes, we've created our own ultimate Moleskine guide to help you choose the right size and style for your needs. While you're at it, you can check out our range of handmade leather Moleskine covers to keep your everyday essentials safe and secure in one place.

To choose your favorite Moleskine notebook and see all of the options take a look right here.

Moleskine Notebook Size Comparison Chart

The quick reference below covers all standard Moleskine sizes with metric and imperial dimensions. Use this as your starting point; detailed page counts by notebook type follow below.

Size	Metric (cm)	Imperial (in)	Closest paper standard	Best for
X-Small (XS)	6.5 × 10.5 cm	2.55 × 4.13 in	Smaller than A7	Pocket carry, quick notes, shopping lists
Pocket	9 × 14 cm	3.54 × 5.51 in	Close to A6 (10.5 × 14.8 cm)	Everyday carry, jotting on the go
Large (Medium)	13 × 21 cm	5.11 × 8.26 in	Close to A5 but narrower	Journaling, daily notes, students
X-Large (XL)	19 × 25 cm	7.48 × 9.84 in	Slightly larger than A5, smaller than A4	Sketching, planning, comprehensive notes
Slim Pocket (Chapter)	7.5 × 14 cm	2.95 × 5.51 in	Narrow A6 equivalent	Sectioned notes in pocket size
Slim Medium (Chapter)	9.5 × 18 cm	3.74 × 7.08 in	Between A6 and A5	Sectioned notes, mid-size journaling
Slim Large (Chapter)	11.5 × 21 cm	4.53 × 8.27 in	Narrow A5	Sectioned journaling, organized note-taking
Voyager (one size)	11.5 × 18 cm	4.53 × 7.08 in	Between A6 and A5	Travel journals with multiple sections

Is the Moleskine Large the Same as A5?

The short answer: no, but very close. This is one of the most common questions about Moleskine sizes, so let's settle it clearly.

• Moleskine Large = 13 × 21 cm (5.11 × 8.26 in)
• True A5 = 14.8 × 21 cm (5.83 × 8.27 in)

The heights match almost exactly (21 cm). The widths differ by 1.8 cm — Moleskine Large is noticeably narrower. This matters in two practical ways:

1. Accessories sized for "A5" notebooks may not fit Moleskine Large. Many A5 leather covers, pen loops, and notebook inserts are sized for true A5 width. They will be too wide for a Moleskine Large.
2. Moleskine X-Large is closer to A5+ territory. At 19 × 25 cm, the XL is wider and taller than A5 but smaller than A4 (21 × 29.7 cm).

If you specifically need a true A5 notebook, look for brands like Leuchtturm1917, Rhodia Webnotebook, or Tomoe River-paper notebooks, all of which use the standard A5 paper dimensions. Our leather notebook covers at Galen Leather come in sizes specifically engineered to fit Moleskine Large, A5, and B5 — check the product specs to match your notebook.

Classic Notebook

The classic Moleskine notebook is one that has a front and back cover connected with a spine down the left side, which makes them better for right handed users than left-handed users. They can be either hard or soft cover, to fit your personal preference as well and have options for the specific style that you want, including: ruled, plain, square or dotted pages. The hardcover versions are typically larger, with sizes ranging from 160 - 240 pages, but the soft cover version can hold its own with 192 total pages.

Hard Cover Sizes Available

X-Small – 160 pages, 6.5 × 10.5 cm/2.55 x 4.13 in
Pocket – 192 pages, 9 × 14 cm/3.54 x 5.51 in
Large – 240 pages, 13 × 21 cm/5.11 x 8.26 in
X-Large – 192 pages, 19 × 25 cm/7.48 x 9.84 in

Soft Cover Sizes Available

Pocket – 192 pages, 9 × 14 cm/3.54 x 5.51 in
Large – 240 pages, 13 × 21 cm/5.11 x 8.26 in
X-Large – 192 pages, 19 × 25 cm/7.48 x 9.84 in

Reporter Notebook

This sleek notebook is great for right or left handed users because it features a front and back cover but has a spine across the top, making it easy to flip the cover out of the way and write on either side of the page. These are also available in both hard and soft cover options and have the same size options as their classic hard or soft cover cousins, plus they have the same style options as the classic: ruled, plain, square or dotted.

Hard Cover Sizes Available

X-Small – 160 pages, 6.5 × 10.5 cm/2.55 x 4.13 in
Pocket – 192 pages, 9 × 14 cm/3.54 x 5.51 in
Large – 240 pages, 13 × 21 cm/5.11 x 8.26 in
X-Large – 192 pages, 19 × 25 cm/7.48 x 9.84 in

Soft Cover Sizes Available

Pocket – 192 pages, 9 × 14 cm/3.54 x 5.51 in
Large – 240 pages, 13 × 21 cm/5.11 x 8.26 in
X-Large – 192 pages, 19 × 25 cm/7.48 x 9.84 in

Cahier Notebook

This notebook is a little bit smaller in every way than the classic or reporter notebooks because they're designed to be carried with you conveniently wherever you might need to go. They have 64 - 120 pages in these soft cover books, and generally come in packs of 3 in colors of your choice and in either ruled, plain or square styles so you can take quick and creative notes at any time.

Sizes Available

Pocket – 64 pages, 9 × 14 cm/3.54 x 5.51 in
Large – 80 pages, 13 × 21 cm/5.11 x 8.26 in
X-Large – 120 pages, 19 × 25 cm/7.48 x 9.84 in

Chapter Journals

Here you're going to have a little more flexibility on what you're going to do with your notebook or journal. Rather than just one large book that you can jot random notes throughout, this one actually has separate sections (between 5 and 7 chapters depending on the size you select) so you can keep things more organized. You get 3 different size options that range from 96 - 128 pages and you get a system that works for more organized individuals. It's available in ruled or dotted versions.

Sizes Available

Slim pocket - 96 pages, 5 chapters, 7.5 × 14 cm/2.95 x 5.51 in
Slim medium - 112 pages, 6 chapters, 9.5 × 18 cm/3.74 x 7.08 in
Slim large - 128 pages, 7 chapters, 11.5 × 21 cm/4.53 x 8.27 in

Volant Notebook

This is a great choice for those who need a standard style notebook that allows them to tear out pages as needed. Sold in sets of 2 with slight color variations between the notebooks, this one is available in 4 different sizes and is slimmer than the Classic line. It's a great option for the next time you need to pass off a note or write down a shopping list to take with you. You'll even get to choose between ruled and plain versions.

Sizes Available

X-Small – 56 pages, 6.5 × 10.5 cm/2.55 x 4.13 in
Pocket – 96 pages, 9 × 14 cm/3.54 x 5.51 in
Large – 96 pages, 13 × 21 cm/5.11 x 8.26 in
X-Large – 192 pages, 19 × 25 cm/7.48 x 9.84 in

Voyager Notebook

Another hard cover option, this notebook comes in one standard size and offers 3 different sections in one book. You'll have a ruled, dotted and plain section so you can keep your doodles, your notes and more separated for easy use. It even has stickers and detachable lists and information so you're always prepared for whatever comes your way, plus you don't have to worry about durability when it's shoved in your bag on that next trip.

Sizes Available

One size – 208 pages, 11.5 × 18 cm/4.53 x 7.08 in

Professional Notebooks

The professional notebook option offers different sizes and has a range of different features including detachable sheets, a table of contents, an introductory section, numbered pages, action point pages and adhesive tabs and labels. You'll be able to carefully and neatly store all of your work information without losing a thing.

Sizes Available

Large – hard: 240 pages / soft: 192 pages, 13 × 21 cm/5.11 x 8.26 in
X-Large – 192 pages, 19 × 25 cm/7.48 x 9.84 in

Special Editions

If you're looking for something a little more unique and special for an event then there are plenty of different ways to find just what you need. In fact, there are Moleskine limited edition products in several different styles, from the standard (which offer unique patterns and colors) to the Blend (which offers a unique material for the cover) to contrast notebooks (which have different interior and exterior colors). You'll find something special for any occasion.

Sizes Available

Pocket – 192 pages, 9 × 14 cm/3.54 x 5.51 in
Large – 240 pages, 13 × 21 cm/5.11 x 8.26 in

Sketchbook & Art Collection Notebooks

Moleskine produces dedicated notebooks for artists and illustrators in their Art Collection range. These use heavier paper (typically 165–200 gsm versus the 70 gsm Classic paper) and come in formats designed for sketching, watercolor, and mixed media. Sizes generally follow the standard Moleskine size convention but with a few additions.

Sketchbook Sizes Available

Pocket Sketchbook – 80 pages, 9 × 14 cm/3.54 × 5.51 in
Large Sketchbook – 104 pages, 13 × 21 cm/5.11 × 8.26 in
X-Large Sketchbook – 96 pages, 19 × 25 cm/7.48 × 9.84 in
A4 Sketchbook – 88 pages, 21 × 29.7 cm/8.27 × 11.69 in

Art Collection (Watercolor, Sketch, Mixed Media)

Watercolor Album – 60 pages of 200gsm paper, multiple sizes
Sketch Album – heavier 165gsm paper, multiple sizes
Japanese Album – fold-out accordion format, multiple sizes

Moleskine Planner & Diary Sizes

Moleskine planners and diaries follow the same standard size conventions as the notebook line. The most popular planner formats are Daily, Weekly, Weekly + Notes, and Monthly, available in:

• Pocket Planners — 9 × 14 cm. Compact for daily carry; less writing space per day.
• Large Planners — 13 × 21 cm. The most popular planner size; balanced writing space and portability.
• X-Large Planners — 19 × 25 cm. Maximum writing space; best for desk use.

Moleskine also offers 12-month and 18-month planner versions. The 18-month planners typically launch in spring of the year before and run through December of the following year.

Hard Cover vs Soft Cover Moleskine — Which Should You Choose?

The cover choice affects more than aesthetics. Both have advantages depending on how you'll use the notebook.

Feature	Hard Cover	Soft Cover
Durability	More protective; better for travel and rough use	Less rigid; can bend in a bag
Writing surface	Firmer base; better for writing on your lap or in your hand	Needs a flat surface to write comfortably
Weight	Heavier	Lighter
Flexibility / Conforming to bag	Less — keeps its shape	More — flexes and bends into a bag
Page lay-flat	Less likely to lay completely flat when open	Lays flatter as it conforms to opening pressure
Use case	Journaling, longer-form writing, archived notes	Daily carry, lighter use, casual jotting
Price	Slightly higher (about $3–5 more typically)	More economical

For most people doing daily journaling or note-taking, the hard cover Large is the safest default. For students or anyone who carries the notebook in a bag stuffed with other items, the soft cover can be more comfortable to carry.

Moleskine Paper Weight & Fountain Pen Compatibility

This matters more than most people realize — and it's the reason serious fountain pen users often choose other brands.

Standard Moleskine Classic notebook paper is 70 gsm (grams per square meter). This is relatively thin compared to dedicated fountain pen-friendly notebooks. The practical implications:

• Light feathering — fountain pen ink with wet, juicy nibs can spread slightly along paper fibers in Moleskine paper
• Some ghosting and show-through — heavier ink loads (broad nibs, very wet inks) will show through to the next page
• Bleed-through is uncommon with finer nibs but can happen with broad or stub nibs and very wet ink
• Fine-point (EF, F) nibs work best — they put down less ink and minimize the issues above

If you're a fountain pen user looking for a notebook that handles wet, characterful nibs without feathering or bleed-through, look at:

• Leuchtturm1917 (80 gsm, better fountain pen tolerance)
• Rhodia Webnotebook (90 gsm Clairefontaine paper, excellent for fountain pens)
• Tomoe River notebooks (52 or 68 gsm — counterintuitively thin but engineered to handle even the wettest inks without bleed)
• Yu-Sari and cosmographic Japanese papers — premium fountain pen-friendly options

For ballpoint, rollerball, gel pen, or pencil use, Moleskine paper performs excellently — and for many fountain pen users, the trade-off of slight feathering for the iconic Moleskine aesthetic and durability is worth it.

Moleskine vs Other Notebook Brands — Quick Comparison

Brand	Standard "large" size	Paper weight	Best for
Moleskine Large	13 × 21 cm	70 gsm	Iconic aesthetic, daily journaling, ballpoint/gel pens
Leuchtturm1917 A5	14.5 × 21 cm	80 gsm	Numbered pages, table of contents, bullet journaling
Rhodia Webnotebook A5	14.8 × 21 cm	90 gsm	Fountain pen users, calligraphers
Hobonichi Cousin A5	14.8 × 21 cm	52 gsm Tomoe River	Daily planners with the best fountain pen paper
Midori MD A5	14.8 × 21 cm	~80 gsm cream	Minimalist Japanese aesthetic, fountain pens

All our covers include pen loops, card slots, and optional accessories. Browse the full range at moleskine covers.

FAQs About Moleskine Notebook Sizes

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