Log-log graph paper, A4

Both axes logarithmic on A4, four decades, for power laws and anything spanning orders of magnitude.

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Opens with these settings already loaded. Change anything you like, then download as PDF, PNG or SVG.

Log-log straightens power laws, semi-log straightens exponentials

This is the distinction that decides which sheet you want. A relationship of the form y equals a times x to the power n plots as a straight line on log-log paper, and the slope of that line gives you the exponent directly. A relationship of the form y equals a times b to the power x straightens on semi-log instead. Plotting on the wrong one gives you a curve and no easy way to read the parameter you were after.

Reading the slope is the point

On log-log paper the slope of a straight line is the exponent n, measured as the ratio of decades risen to decades run rather than in ordinary units. A line climbing two decades while moving one has a slope of 2, meaning y varies with x squared. This is why log-log is a diagnostic tool and not just a way to fit big numbers on a page: the shape of the plot tells you the form of the relationship.

Count your decades before you print

Each decade is one factor of ten, and you cannot extend a logarithmic axis by taping on another sheet the way you can a linear one. Work out the range your data spans in both directions, then choose at least that many decades. Four covers a range of ten thousand to one, which handles most laboratory and engineering data. Too many and your points crowd into a corner.

Printing it accurately

This only measures correctly if your printer doesn't rescale the page. In the print dialog set Scale: 100%, not "Fit to page" or "Shrink oversized pages". If you're not sure it worked, print the calibration page, measure the ruler on it with a real ruler, and it will tell you exactly what your printer is doing to the page.