Cornell Notes Template

The proven Cornell note-taking method on a single printable page. Features the signature cue column, main notes area, and summary section at the bottom.

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What's on the page

How to use it

  1. During class or reading: write notes in the right-hand column. Short phrases and abbreviations are fine.
  2. Soon after: read your notes and write questions or key words in the cue column next to the matching lines.
  3. Summarise: in the bottom box, write the main ideas of the page in two or three sentences, in your own words.
  4. Review: cover the notes column and answer the cue questions from memory. Check, then repeat before a test.

Who it's for

High school and university students, anyone studying for an exam or certification, and people taking notes from lectures, books, podcasts or meetings who want notes they can actually revise from.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented the Cornell note-taking method?

Walter Pauk, an education professor at Cornell University, described it in the 1950s and in his book How to Study in College.

Why does the Cornell method work?

Writing cue questions forces you to process the material, and covering the notes to answer them is a form of self-testing, which is one of the most reliable ways to remember what you have learned.

Is this cornell notes template really free?

Yes, completely free. No signup, no email, no catch. Just download the PDF and use it.

What size is the cornell notes template?

The template is formatted for standard US Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) and also works well on A4 paper.

Can I edit this template?

The PDF is designed for printing and writing by hand. For a digital version, we recommend duplicating it in Notion or Google Docs.

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