Dots and Boxes Printable
Free Dots and Boxes printables in different board sizes, plus a classroom pack and score tracker.
This collection includes free Dots and Boxes printables in six board sizes, plus a classroom pack and a 15-round score tracker. Choose a compact grid for a quick game, a standard board for everyday play, or a larger format when you want a longer and more involved match.
The board sizes range from a 3 × 3 dot grid for very young players and quick games to a 15 × 15 grid designed for long or tournament-style play. Each format serves a different purpose, so you can choose the sheet that fits your players, available time, and setting.
Choose Your Dots and Boxes Printable
The collection includes six individual board sizes, a classroom pack, and a separate score tracker.
| Printable | Grid | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Mini | 3 × 3 | Ages 4–6 and very quick games |
| Small | 5 × 5 | Ages 6–8 and short games |
| Standard | 7 × 7 | General play and first full games |
| Medium | 9 × 9 | Intermediate players |
| Large | 12 × 12 | Advanced players |
| XL | 15 × 15 | Long games and tournament-style play |
| Classroom Pack | 4 × 5 × 5 grids | Classrooms and group activities |
| Score Tracker | 15 rounds | Multiple games and tournaments |
The dimensions above refer to the number of dots along each side. That means the number of playable boxes is one fewer in each direction. For example, a 7 × 7 dot grid produces a 6 × 6 arrangement of playable boxes.
3 × 3 Two-Grids
The Mini printable contains two 3 × 3 grids on one page. It is designed for very young players and quick games, with the sheet identifying it as suitable for ages 4–6 and approximately 2-minute games.
Best for: young children, first exposure to the game, quick rounds, and situations where attention span or available time is limited.
Download the free Mini 3 × 3 printable ↓5 × 5 Single
The Small printable provides one 5 × 5 dot grid on a page and is intended for younger players, with the sheet identifying it as suitable for ages 6–8 and approximately 5-minute games.
It provides more room than the Mini version without making the board unnecessarily large.
Best for: children who already understand the basic idea of connecting neighboring dots and families looking for a short game.
Download the free Small 5 × 5 printable ↓7 × 7 Single
The Standard printable uses a 7 × 7 dot grid and is labeled as the most popular size in the collection. The sheet estimates a game length of approximately 10 minutes.
This is the natural starting point if you want a full-size Dots and Boxes game without committing to one of the larger boards.
Best for: general two-player games, family play, and players who have moved beyond the smallest boards.
Download the free Standard 7 × 7 printable ↓9 × 9 Single
The Medium printable increases the board to 9 × 9 dots and is intended for intermediate players. The printable estimates approximately 15 minutes for a game.
The larger grid gives players more space to develop the position before the board reaches its scoring phase.
Best for: players who are comfortable with the basic game and want a longer match.
Download the free Medium 9 × 9 printable ↓12 × 12 Single
The Large printable contains a 12 × 12 dot grid and is intended for advanced players. The supplied sheet estimates approximately 25 minutes for a game.
With substantially more playable boxes than the smaller boards, this format is better suited to players who want the game to develop over a longer period.
Best for: experienced players, longer matches, and players who want more room for strategic play.
Download the free Large 12 × 12 printable ↓15 × 15 Single
The XL printable provides the largest individual board in the collection: a 15 × 15 dot grid on A4 paper.
The sheet describes it as suitable for tournament or long-game use and estimates approximately 40 minutes.
Because the grid is substantially larger, this format is best when you have enough table space and time for a lengthy game.
Best for: advanced players, long games, and tournament-style sessions.
Download the free XL 15 × 15 printable ↓4 × 5 × 5 grids
The Classroom Pack puts four 5 × 5 games on a single letter-size page. The sheet is designed so the page can be printed and cut into four individual game boards.
This makes the format different from simply choosing a smaller printable. One sheet can provide four separate boards, which is useful when several pairs need to play at the same time.
Best for: classrooms, group activities, clubs, parties, and road trips where several small games are needed.
Download the free Classroom Pack ↓15-Round Score Tracker
The Score Tracker is a separate printable for keeping results across multiple games.
It provides spaces for 15 rounds, with columns for Player 1’s score, Player 2’s score, and the winner. Player names can be entered at the top before the games begin.
This is useful when the goal is not simply to finish one game but to keep a running record across a family game night, classroom competition, or small tournament.
Download the free Dots and Boxes Score Tracker ↓Which Dots and Boxes Size Should You Print?
The simplest way to choose is to match the board to the players and the time available.
If a child is playing for the first time, the 3 × 3 Mini or 5 × 5 Small board keeps the game short and the position easy to see.
For ordinary play, the 7 × 7 Standard board is a useful middle ground. It is large enough for the game to develop while remaining manageable on a single sheet.
If the players already know the game and want more depth, the 9 × 9 Medium, 12 × 12 Large, or 15 × 15 XL boards provide progressively larger positions.
For a group rather than a single game, the Classroom Pack is the practical choice because one printed page supplies four separate boards.
| If you want… | Use… |
|---|---|
| A very quick game | 3 × 3 Mini |
| A short children’s game | 5 × 5 Small |
| A general-purpose board | 7 × 7 Standard |
| A longer intermediate game | 9 × 9 Medium |
| An advanced game | 12 × 12 Large |
| A long or tournament-style game | 15 × 15 XL |
| Four games from one sheet | Classroom Pack |
| Results across multiple rounds | Score Tracker |
The game-time estimates printed on the individual sheets are approximate rather than fixed limits. Actual playing time depends on the players, board position, and how quickly turns are made.
How to Use the Printable
The printables are designed to be used directly once printed. Choose a board, gather something to write with, and use the sheet as the playing surface.
For the complete rules and turn mechanics, see the Dots and Boxes rules guide.
The printable itself stays focused on the board so that the playing area remains clear and usable.
Using the Printables for Multiple Rounds
If you are playing several games rather than one standalone match, the Score Tracker can be used alongside any of the boards.
For example, two players can use the 7 × 7 Standard board for each round and record the result on the tracker. After several rounds, the tracker provides a single place to compare the results rather than relying on individual sheets.
The same approach works for larger boards or tournament-style sessions. The board handles the game itself, while the tracker records the results across games.
Printable Size and Game Length
A larger board does not simply mean a harder version of the same game. It also gives the position more room to develop.
The collection moves from the 3 × 3 Mini through 5 × 5, 7 × 7, 9 × 9, 12 × 12, and finally 15 × 15. As the number of dots increases, the number of playable boxes increases as well.
For a square grid with n dots along each side, the number of playable boxes is:
That gives:
- 3 × 3 dots → 4 boxes
- 5 × 5 dots → 16 boxes
- 7 × 7 dots → 36 boxes
- 9 × 9 dots → 64 boxes
- 12 × 12 dots → 121 boxes
- 15 × 15 dots → 196 boxes
This is why moving from one size to the next can make a much bigger difference than the visual change in the grid might suggest.
Dots and Boxes Printable FAQs
What is the best Dots and Boxes printable for beginners? +
The 7 × 7 Standard board is the general-purpose option in this collection, while the 3 × 3 Mini and 5 × 5 Small boards are better suited to very young players or very short games.
What Dots and Boxes printable is best for children? +
The Mini 3 × 3 sheet is labeled for ages 4–6, while the Small 5 × 5 sheet is labeled for ages 6–8. The smaller grids keep the playing area manageable and the games relatively short.
How many boxes does a 7 × 7 Dots and Boxes board have? +
A 7 × 7 grid of dots contains 36 playable boxes because there are 6 spaces between the 7 dots in each direction.
Which printable is best for a long Dots and Boxes game? +
The XL 15 × 15 printable is the largest individual board in this collection. It is designed for long games and tournament-style play and is formatted for A4 paper.
Can I print four Dots and Boxes games on one page? +
Yes. The Classroom Pack contains four separate 5 × 5 boards on one letter-size page. The sheet is designed to be cut into four individual games.
Is there a Dots and Boxes score sheet? +
Yes. The collection includes a separate Score Tracker with space for 15 rounds, including both players’ scores and the winner.
Do the printable game times guarantee how long a game will take? +
No. The times printed on the sheets are approximate guidance. Actual game length varies according to the board, players, and pace of play.
Can I use the larger printables for strategic games? +
Yes. The larger boards provide more playable boxes and more room for the position to develop. Players interested in improving their decision-making can combine the larger boards with the dedicated How to Win Dots and Boxes guide.
The collection covers the main ways you may want to play: a quick children’s game, a standard match, a larger strategic game, several games for a group, or a series of rounds tracked on one score sheet.
