Notebooks & Paper

Best Bullet Journal Supplies 2026

By YPen Published

Best Bullet Journal Supplies 2026

A bullet journal needs exactly two things: a notebook and a pen. Everything else — washi tape, highlighters, stickers, rulers, stencils — is optional. Start minimal, add supplies only when a specific need arises, and resist the temptation to buy a cart full of supplies before writing a single page.

That said, the right supplies do make the practice more enjoyable and functional. This guide covers the essentials and the best upgrades for 2026, tested across the bullet journal community [1][2].

The Notebook

Best Overall: Leuchtturm1917 Dotted A5

The Leuchtturm1917 is the default bullet journal notebook for good reason. It includes numbered pages, a table of contents with blank entry lines, two ribbon bookmarks, and a rear expandable pocket — all features that support the Bullet Journal method out of the box.

Paper: 80 gsm, smooth with slight tooth. Handles fine-tip pens, fineliners, and pencils without feathering. Medium and broad fountain pen nibs will produce some ghosting. Pages: 251 numbered pages in dot grid. Price: ~$20-$22.

For fountain pen users who want better paper, pair a Leuchtturm with a separate Rhodia pad for ink-heavy pages.

Best Paper Quality: Scribbles That Matter

The Scribbles That Matter Pro notebook features 160 gsm paper — twice the weight of most journals. This completely eliminates bleed-through and ghosting, even with markers and brush pens. It includes numbered pages, an index, two bookmarks, and a pen loop.

Trade-off: The thicker paper means fewer pages (160 versus Leuchtturm’s 251) in a slightly thicker notebook.

Price: ~$25-$30.

Budget Option: Essentials by Peter Pauper Press

At ~$8-$10, this A5 dot grid notebook offers 240 pages of decent quality paper with a lay-flat binding. No numbered pages or index, but at this price, you can buy three notebooks for the cost of one Leuchtturm.

Pens

Daily Writing: Sakura Pigma Micron 05

The Micron 05 (0.45 mm tip) is the most widely used bullet journal pen. The archival-quality pigment ink is waterproof, fade-resistant, and dries almost instantly. The line is crisp and consistent, and the pen lasts well with regular use [2].

Set recommendation: The 6-pack in black provides sizes 005 through 08, covering everything from fine detail to bold headers. ~$12-$15.

Color Coding: Zebra Mildliner Highlighters

Mildliners produce soft, muted colors that add visual organization without overwhelming the page. Unlike standard highlighters, they do not bleed through most journal paper. The double-ended design (broad chisel tip and fine bullet tip) provides versatility.

Set recommendation: The 15-color set covers every color-coding need. ~$18-$22.

Headers and Lettering: Tombow Dual Brush Pens

Tombow Dual Brush Pens have a flexible brush tip for calligraphic headers and a fine tip for detailed writing. The water-based ink blends well for watercolor-style effects. They are the standard tool for decorative bullet journal headers and brush pen calligraphy.

Set recommendation: The 10-pack in your preferred color palette. ~$20-$25.

Gel Pens for White Details: Uni-ball Signo Broad

White gel pen for writing on dark backgrounds, adding highlights, and correcting mistakes on colored pages. The Uni-ball Signo Broad (UM-153) is the most opaque white gel pen available.

Price: ~$3-$4 per pen.

Rulers and Stencils

Straight Edge: Any 6-Inch Metal Ruler

A small metal ruler fits inside your journal and provides clean lines for headers, dividers, and boxes. Plastic rulers slide on smooth paper; metal rulers grip better.

Price: ~$3-$5.

Bullet Journal Stencils

Pre-cut stencils for common layouts — weekly spreads, habit trackers, mood trackers, and decorative elements — save time and produce consistent results. Look for stencils sized to fit A5 notebooks.

Price: ~$8-$15 for a multi-pack.

Accessories

Pen Loop

An adhesive pen loop attaches to your journal cover and holds your daily pen. This eliminates the “where did I put my pen?” friction that interrupts the habit. Most Leuchtturm notebooks include one.

Washi Tape

Decorative tape for borders, section dividers, attaching items to pages, and adding color. Washi tape is repositionable and does not damage paper. Start with a basic set of three to five neutral or pastel patterns. See our washi tape creative uses guide.

Adhesive Tape Runner (Tombow Mono)

For permanently attaching photos, printouts, or ephemera to journal pages without the mess of liquid glue. The Tombow Mono tape runner provides strong bonds with a clean application.

Price: ~$4-$6.

Starter Kit Recommendations

Minimal Starter (~$30)

  • Leuchtturm1917 Dotted A5 (~$20)
  • Sakura Micron 05 black (~$3)
  • 6-inch metal ruler (~$4)

This is everything you need. Add supplies only when you identify a specific gap in your practice.

Color Enthusiast (~$65)

  • Leuchtturm1917 Dotted A5 (~$20)
  • Sakura Micron 6-pack (~$13)
  • Zebra Mildliner 15-pack (~$20)
  • Metal ruler (~$4)
  • Washi tape 5-pack (~$8)

Creative Journaler (~$100)

  • Scribbles That Matter Pro (~$28)
  • Sakura Micron 6-pack (~$13)
  • Tombow Dual Brush 10-pack (~$22)
  • Zebra Mildliner 15-pack (~$20)
  • Stencil pack (~$10)
  • Washi tape 5-pack (~$8)

What Not to Buy (Yet)

Expensive brush pen sets. Master the basics before investing in 48-color sets. Start with 10 colors maximum.

Multiple notebooks. Finish one notebook before buying the next. The grass always looks greener in a new journal — but the practice happens in the one you are currently using.

Elaborate sticker collections. Stickers add personality but zero functionality. Add them after you have established a consistent journaling practice, not before. See our bullet journaling beginners guide for getting started with the method itself.

Key Takeaways

  • A bullet journal requires only a notebook and a pen. Start with a Leuchtturm1917 Dotted A5 and a Sakura Micron 05 for under $25.
  • Add supplies only when a specific need emerges. Color-coding pens, highlighters, and stencils enhance an established practice — they do not create one.
  • Paper quality matters: 80+ gsm for pens and fineliners, 160+ gsm if you use markers and brush pens heavily.
  • The minimal starter kit ($30) covers everything a beginner needs for months of productive journaling.

Next Steps

Sources

  1. Diary of a Journal Planner. “Best Bullet Journal Supplies for Any Budget and Artistic Level (2026).” https://diaryofajournalplanner.com/best-bullet-journal-supplies/
  2. Page Flutter. “Best Bullet Journal Pens I Actually Use (Updated for 2026).” https://pageflutter.com/bullet-journal-pens/
  3. NotebookTherapy. “The Ultimate Guide to Bullet Journal Supplies.” https://notebooktherapy.com/blogs/nt/the-ultimate-guide-to-bullet-journal-supplies