A Tip About Tips: How to Choose the Right Fountain Pen Nib for You

Yashaswi, The Papery

One might assume that nib size is the sort of thing only stationery obsessives worry about (right up there with ink pH levels and the drying time of Tomoe River paper). But in truth, nib size is quite a big deal. Choosing the wrong one can turn your lyrical scrawl into a blotchy crime scene or your neatly planned calendar into something resembling a spider’s final words.

Let us help you avoid such fates.

The Basics: What Is a Nib Size Anyway?

The nib is the business end of your fountain pen—the part that touches the paper and delivers the ink. Standard nib sizes range from extra-fine to broad, with many more outside of this range (for example, extra broad, double broad, stub, and many more). The size affects both the width of your writing and how the pen feels in hand. 

Broadly speaking (pun fully intended), fine nibs give you thin, precise lines, while broader nibs lay down more ink and offer a smoother, wetter feel. I would be remise if I didn't mention that Japanese nibs tend to be a bit finer than Western nibs, often with a fine matching an extra-fine and a broad being closer to a medium. 

Fine, Medium, Broad: The Usual Suspects

• Extra-Fine: Best for small handwriting, detailed notes, or writing on more absorbent paper such as printer paper or legal pads. Since the nib is so small, less ink comes out, and so it dries a lot faster as well (of course this is also dependent on the ink used). These are adequate for daily scribbles but users may find them to be 'scratchy'. If you like writing with a 0.38 Pilot G-Tec, you'll like this size.

• Fine: All the benefits of an extra-fine nib, and more! Like the extra-fine, it is great for small handwriting, detailed notes, and dries fast, but it feels noticeably smoother. The line is also precise, and you won’t get much ink bleed. This is the most popular nib size we sell, which attests to what a good all around size it is. While this is not my go-to, I would still highly recommend it. If you write with a Pilot FRIXION Retractable Gel Pen in 0.5, then this would be the nib for you.

• Medium: The Goldilocks of nibs. Smooth, versatile, and forgiving. Lovely for journaling, letter writing, and general everyday use. As these pens are a bit thicker, they lead to a wetter writing experience which will show off the properties of the inks (perfect for Ferris Wheel Press inks). If you're unsure where to begin, start here!
  This is the nib size I almost exclusively write in, primarily because I find broader nibs to give me better writing experiences and make my handwriting look much more refined. If you write with a Uniball 207+, then you'll like this!

• Broad: These nibs are among the most enjoyable to write with; velvety smooth, satisfyingly inky, and just a touch dramatic. They’re not as commonly used as finer nibs, largely because they can feel a bit indulgent on smaller ruled paper, and they’re rather generous with ink on anything too absorbent. But pair one with a beautiful ink and a paper that knows how to behave, and the result is nothing short of glorious. The line is rich, expressive, and utterly pleasurable to write with—if you can give it the room it deserves. If you write with a Sakura Gelly Roll or a Sharpie S-Gel in 1.0, then you will love this.
  

Paper Matters More Than You Think

The right nib size for you also depends on what you're writing on. Absorbent paper, such as printer paper, tends to soak up ink, so a broader nib might feather and smudge. Finer nibs keep things neat. On premium paper (like MD or Tomoe River) you can get away with broader strokes, because the paper knows how to behave.

If your notebook is the kind that protests when touched by a fountain pen, a fine nib is your best friend.

Ink Flow, Feedback, and the Feel of Writing

Each nib size offers a different writing experience.

Fine nibs give more feedback—you’ll feel a bit of toothiness on the page. Broader nibs glide, often described as “buttery.” If you want precision, choose finer. If you want luxury, go broad.

Still unsure? Pop by our shop and try one out. (Yes, we do encourage inky fingers. It builds character.)

One Final Thought: Your Handwriting Deserves the Right Tool

There is no universal “best” nib size. The right one is the one that makes you want to write more, not less. One that suits your style, your paper, your daily rhythm.

So test, experiment, ask questions. Your perfect nib is out there. Probably sitting next to a bottle of ink that matches your soul.