Sticky Notes
Tapes & Notes · 7 specs
Direct Answer
Standard Sticky Notes (repositionable self-adhesive paper notes, invented by 3M's Art Fry and Spencer Silver as Post-it Notes in 1980) are manufactured in standardized dimensions: 3 × 3 inches (76 × 76 mm — universal square), 3 × 5 inches (76 × 127 mm — rectangular meeting memo), 1.5 × 2 inches (38 × 51 mm — mini note), and 4 × 6 inches (102 × 152 mm — lined task list).
Source: 3M Post-it Technical Specifications / Commercial Stationery Standards · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| 3 × 3 Inch Standard Note | 3.0 × 3.0 in (76.2 × 76.2 mm) — the classic canary yellow square (100 sheets/pad) |
| 3 × 5 Inch Rectangular Note | 3.0 × 5.0 in (76.2 × 127.0 mm) — horizontal format for meeting minutes and phone messages |
| 1.5 × 2 Inch Mini Note | 1.5 × 2.0 in (38.1 × 50.8 mm) — compact size for book margin annotations and index markers |
| 4 × 6 Inch Lined Note | 4.0 × 6.0 in (101.6 × 152.4 mm) — ruled lines for daily prioritized to-do task checklists |
| Adhesive Chemistry | Pressure-sensitive acrylic copolymer microspheres (repositionable with zero paper tear) |
| Adhesive Band Width | 0.50 in (12.7 mm) wide adhesive strip along top edge (approx. 17% of sheet area) |
| Standard Paper Weight | 70 to 75 gsm uncoated bond paper |
Microsphere Adhesive Technology
Unlike permanent adhesives that form continuous solid films, Spencer Silver's adhesive is composed of microscopic elastomeric spheres (15 to 40 µm diameter). When pressed against paper, only the crowns of the spheres contact the surface, providing enough tack to hold the note in place while allowing it to be peeled off and restuck dozens of times without leaving sticky residue.