How many lines does guitar tab use?

Six, one per string, with the highest-sounding string at the top. Bass tab uses four, and this page prints six — the two spare lines can simply be left empty.

Why is the spacing wider than sheet music?

Because tab numbers are written on the lines rather than note heads sitting between them, so the gap has to fit a digit or two rather than a dot.

Can I get tab with a stave above it?

Not yet. The combined notation-and-tab system is the natural next version of this page; for now, the blank sheet music page prints staves on their own.

Guitar tab paper

Blank tablature: six lines to a system, as many systems as you want on the page, at the spacing that suits the size of your handwriting.

Grade 5–Grade 12 · every refresh draws a new set · answer key included

1 problems · US Letter — 1 sheet, page breaks marked in the preview

What this worksheet is for

Tablature is written on six lines rather than five, one for each string, and the numbers go on the lines rather than between them — which is why ordinary manuscript paper is the wrong shape for it and why the spacing needs to be wider. This page prints the lines and nothing else. Six lines suit guitar; for bass you can simply ignore the top two, or lower the count once that setting arrives.

Who it suits

Anyone writing guitar parts by hand: learners noting down what they worked out by ear, teachers writing exercises, and players sketching arrangements. From about Grade 5 upwards, though age matters much less here than the size of the handwriting.

How to use the settings

Set the number of systems first — eight leaves plenty of room, twelve fits a long piece. Then set the string spacing to match how big you write your fret numbers: 4 mm is comfortable for most people, and below 3 mm the numbers start to touch the lines above and below. Leave a generous gap between systems if you plan to write rhythm marks or chord names above the tab.

What goes wrong

The most common problem with hand-written tab is numbers drifting between lines, so a 12 on the third string reads as two separate notes. Wider string spacing fixes more of that than neater handwriting does. The second is running out of room for the last bar, which is worth planning by counting bars per system before you start writing.

Questions

How many lines does guitar tab use?: Six, one per string, with the highest-sounding string at the top. Bass tab uses four, and this page prints six — the two spare lines can simply be left empty.
Why is the spacing wider than sheet music?: Because tab numbers are written on the lines rather than note heads sitting between them, so the gap has to fit a digit or two rather than a dot.
Can I get tab with a stave above it?: Not yet. The combined notation-and-tab system is the natural next version of this page; for now, the blank sheet music page prints staves on their own.