You may have heard the terms 0.5 and 0.7 when talking about pens, but never really thought much about them. After all, your pen gets the job done, and that might be all you care about. But still, it can be nice to understand more about these different types of pens so that if you are ever faced with the choice, you’ll know which kind you like better.
The terms 0.5 and 0.7 refer to the size of the pen tip. 0.5 mm pens have a thinner tip, and this means that less ink hits the page when you write with them. 0.7 mm pens have a more medium-sized tip, so their lines are a bit thicker and more ink gets onto the page when you write.
And if you are wondering which is smaller in size between a 0.5 and 0.7 pen – 0.5 is smaller, and will write a thinner line.
The rest of this article will go over the pros and cons of both 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm pens so that you can make an informed decision on which one you might prefer.
Table of Contents
0.5 Pens
Pros
0.5 pens are a great choice if you are the type of person who likes to write really small. Whether you need to maximize page room for notes or you just really prefer writing small, 0.5 pens give you the opportunity to do so without your words looking like little blobs on the page.
People who draw with pens also really appreciate the 0.5 mm tip because it can help with really fine details. Using a 0.5 mm pen makes these details a lot easier to draw, whereas with a 0.7 mm pen they might just end up looking crowded and not as precise.
Cons
Some people don’t like how thin 0.5 mm pens are because they prefer a thicker, more full look. The thin lines can also make it obvious if you were writing with shaky hands since the pen will shake as you write. This means that your lines may be a bit wobbly if you use 0.5 mm pens instead of 0.7 mm.
0.5 mm pens can be a little bit harder to write with if you struggle with your hands tiring out during writing. This is because less ink comes out at a time than with 0.7 mm pens, so you will have to push harder to get the desired result.
0.7 Pens
Pros
0.7 pens tend to be easier to write with if you’re prone to getting a tired hand. This is because more ink is able to flow out of the tip at once, and you don’t have to push as hard to get a nice, broad stroke of ink. People who want to write faster and more effortlessly definitely tend to gravitate toward 0.7 mm pens because of this.
0.7 pens are also just nice if you are looking for thicker and bolder handwriting. 0.5 can come off as too thin and spindly for some people, and they want a nice, full-bodied look for their handwriting. 0.7 is a great option for getting bold lines that stand out on the page.
Cons
Some people find that 0.7 pens are too thick for their small handwriting. 0.7 pens are definitely made for people who have bigger handwriting. If you want to write small or in cursive, 0.7 will probably end up looking too much like a blob.
Since 0.7 pens let more ink out at once, they will dry a bit slower than the 0.5 pens. This isn’t usually too big of an issue for ballpoints, but if you are using water-based ink, it already dries pretty slow. This means that 0.7 mm pens are more likely to smudge, which can be a dealbreaker for some people.
Which Is More Common: 0.5 Or 0.7?
It varies from person to person, but usually, people will prefer 0.5 mm pens to 0.7. This is because you can use them no matter the size of your handwriting, and they will get smaller details while still being able to write big words as well.
They are also pretty widely available, so it’s not hard to find a 0.5 mm pen when you need one. Since ink flows pretty quickly out of pens like rollerballs and fountain pens, it can be helpful to have 0.5 so that there’s not too much coming out at once.
Still, there are plenty of people who prefer 0.7 to 0.5, and 0.7 is still a very popular size. If you are looking to get a pen for someone else, it might be beneficial to ask them what size they prefer, because you never really know.
How Do You Know Whether To Use 0.5 Or 0.7?
The type of pen you use always comes down to personal preference. If you have handwriting on the smaller end or like to write in cursive, I would definitely recommend that you try out a 0.5 mm pen. This will allow you to write small, thin lines that won’t end up smeared or jumbled.
Furthermore, if you are left-handed, you should probably stick to 0.5 unless your pen is quick drying. This is because 0.7 is more likely to smear, and if your hand is running across the page as you write, it will only exacerbate that problem.
Now, if you are the type of person who likes a nice thick, bold line, 0.7 pens might be more your speed. As long as you don’t mind writing a bit bigger, they can be a really nice choice.
Furthermore, if you don’t like getting hand cramps and fatigue, 0.7 is going to help you out. The ink will run out faster and smoother, and it will hopefully make the process of writing a whole lot easier and less tiring for you.
Final Thoughts
0.5 mm pens are thinner than 0.7, and both are pretty common sizes. Many people have different preferences, and it’s hard to say whether or not one is better than the other.
Hopefully, this article has given you some clarity about the differences between these styles of pens, and now you will know exactly what to choose next time you find yourself deciding on a new purchase.