The 12 Best Pens That Don’t Bleed Through Paper

Nobody wants to be taking notes, journaling, or drawing only to have their work bleed through the page. While bleed-resistant pens can come in a variety of styles, certain pen types tend to be more bleed-proof than others. To get a better idea of how to shop for the best pens that don’t bleed through paper, we reached out to Nya Jones, founder of the journaling company Inside Then Out. Jones explains that, while ballpoint pens tend to be the most bleed-resistant overall, a lot depends on how you use it.

“A person's writing style, the pressure they apply, the speed of their writing, and the type of paper they use can significantly impact the bleed-resistance of a pen,” Jones says. “If you have a heavier hand, this may increase the chances of ink bleeding. Therefore you may want to opt for a standard ballpoint pen. If you write very quickly, this may increase the chances for ink smudging and transfer. You may want to avoid gel pens that have slower drying ink. If you tend to use thin paper, you may also be more susceptible to ink bleeding and should opt for options less likely to spread.”

Jones recommended experimenting with different pen and paper combinations to find the right fit, and taking your individual preferences and habits into consideration. That said, there are a few things to consider when it comes to some of the most common pen types.

What To Consider When Shopping

Pen Type

Ballpoint

Of all the most common pen types, ballpoints are usually the most bleed-resistant. They also tend to be long lasting, easy to find, and inexpensive. That said, the ink can sometimes looks dull, they require more pressure to write, and they offer less artistic capability — for these reasons, some people still prefer other pen types.

Gel

This pen type is smooth, vibrant, and available in a wide variety of colors and tip sizes. However, gel pens use a lot of ink so they’re not as long lasting, and tend to smudge if you write too fast. Plus, they are sometimes slower to dry (which can be a recipe for smudging).

Felt-tip

Offering versatile artistic capability, felt-tips are well-suited for more creative tasks, and they come in a variety of colors. However, they typically have longer drying times.

Fineliner

With extremely fine,“needle-like” tips, fineliner pens use water-based ink. “[They] are popular among artists and note-takers for their precision and are often designed to resist bleeding, especially when used on quality paper,” Jones says.

Rollerball

These also write smoothly with precise lines, and are typically available in an assortment of colors. But they tend to be less bleed-proof than other pen types, so they’re not the best choice if you’re heavy-handed.

Additional Factors

Aside from the type of pen and your writing style, the point size (aka the thickness of the pen's line) can affect the likelihood of bleeding, Jones adds, although she notes that it’s not the only factor. “A finer point may be less likely to bleed because it deposits less ink, but it also depends on the ink formulation and paper used.”

Beyond bleed-resistance, you may also want to think about regular pen features when you’re shopping around such as the type of grip, whether they’re retractable or not, and if you can refill them. “While [these factors] may not affect bleed-resistance, they may affect the convenience, ease of use, and sustainability of the pen,” Jones says.

The last thing to keep in mind is the type of that pen you like to write with — whatever it is, there’s likely an option that’ll fit your writing needs. Below are the best pens that won’t bleed through paper in a variety of styles, colors, and point sizes (ranging from extra-fine 0.2-millimeter to thicker 1.0-millimeter options). We got the chance to test several of them out ourselves, and we also included Jones’ favorite pen and one of our editors’ top picks. For those we didn’t get a chance to personally test out, we looked to what Amazon reviewers had to say about their bleed resistance and overall quality. At the end of the list, we included a set of fluorescent-hued gel sticks that can replace your bleed-prone, liquid-ink highlighters.

Shop The Best Pens That Don’t Bleed Through Paper

In a hurry? Here are the top picks for pens that don’t bleed through paper.

1. Expert Pick ($$): TUL BP3 Retractable Ballpoint Pen
2. Editor Pick ($$): PILOT FriXion ColorSticks Erasable Gel Pen
3. Best Single-Color Ballpoint Pens ($): BIC Soft Feel Ballpoint Pen
4. Best Multi-Colored Ballpoint Pens ($): Paper Mate InkJoy Retractable Ballpoint Pen
5. Best Splurge Ballpoint Pens ($$$): Caran d'Ache 849 Metal Range Ballpoint Pen
6. Best Single-Color Gel Pens ($$): Sharpie S-Gel Pen
7. Best Multi-Colored Gel Pens ($$): BIC Gel-ocity Quick Dry Gel Pen
8. Best Single-Color Felt-Tip Pens ($): Sharpie Felt Tip Pen
9. Best Multi-Colored Felt-Tip Pens ($): Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pen
10. Best Fineliner Pens ($$$): Uniball Vision Rollerball Pen
11. Runner-Up Fineliners ($$$): Sakura Pigma Micron Ink Pen
12. Best Rollerball Pens ($$): Pilot Precise V5 Stick Rolling Ball Pen
13. Also Great: Bleed-Resistant Gel Highlighters: Mr. Pen No Bleed Gel Highlighter

1. Expert Pick: Retractable Ballpoints That Never Bleed

Pros:

• Comfort grip
• Sleek, sophisticated aesthetic
• 4.8-star overall rating on Amazon

Cons:

• Only available in black ink
• Not refillable

The TUL BP3 retractable ballpoint is Jones’ favorite pen — and it’s also well-loved on Amazon, with a 4.8-star overall rating after over 1,300 reviews. It has an ergonomic design for comfortable writing and a narrow tip for precision. “They are the perfect balance of smooth and vibrant, without any bleeding issues,” Jones says.

One Amazon reviewer wrote: “I LOVE these pens. I am a pharmacy student and I take A LOT of notes. I love these pens because they do not bleed or smear when I am writing with them and they make my handwriting look nice! The ink flows really nicely and now I hate using most other pens.”

Pen Type: ballpoint | Point Size: 0.8 mm | Available Colors: 1 (black, but also available in blue in a 1.0 point size)

2. Editor Pick: Colorful Erasable Gel Pens

Pros:

• Erasable design
• Nearly 20,000 five-star ratings on Amazon
• Wide variety of ink colors available

Cons:

• Not refillable
• No comfort grip

Bustle editor Wesley Salazar lists Pilot FriXion ColorSticks among her top picks for bleed-resistant pens. They have 0.7-millimeter points and write with a gel ink that one Amazon reviewer described as having “a smooth glide.” Available in lots of different shade assortments (including the pack of 10 featured above), they’re ideal for note-taking and bullet journaling. But best of all, these pens are erasable, so any misspellings or mistakes are no biggie.

Editor’s take: “I started using PILOT FriXion ColorSticks more than a year ago, and I’m quite the fan. They’ve become my preferred pen for writing down notes and to-dos on a daily basis. The gel ink hasn’t bled through any paper thus far, and they really are erasable so it’s easy to keep things neat. Plus, they come in a ton of punchy colors, which makes writing all the more fun.” — Wesley Salazar, Associate Commerce Editor

Pen Type: gel | Point Size: 0.7 mm | Available Colors: Featured multipack includes 10 (additional colors available in other multipacks)

3. Best Single-Color Ballpoint Pens

Pros:

• Comfort grip
• Quick-drying, oil-based ink
• Budget-friendly price
• More than 10,000 five-star ratings on Amazon
• Available in multiple ink colors

Cons:

• Not refillable
• Fewer ink colors available than other options on this list

If you’re looking for a solid ballpoint pen that’s cheaper than Jones’ choice, the popular BIC Soft Feel makes an excellent option. Featuring oil-based ink that dries quickly and is unlikely to bleed through even the thinnest of paper, these are true all-purpose writing utensils. This pack includes pens with a 0.8-millimeter point, but you can also snag a 1.0-millimeter version if you prefer thicker lines. They are not refillable but are retractable and feature a comfortable rubber grip. Choose from black, blue, or red hues.

One Amazon reviewer wrote: “I got a great deal on these pens so I thought I would give them a try. As a left-hander my complaint with most lower-cost pens is that they leave tiny blobs of ink on the paper which I immediately smear with the side of my hand. I was surprised that I have not noticed that with these pens (fine-point pens are better in general for lefties). I’m very pleased!”

Pen Type: ballpoint | Point Size: 0.8 mm | Available Colors: 3 (black, blue, or red)

4. Best Multi-Colored Ballpoint Pens

Pros:

• Comfort grip
• Pack includes a wide range of colors
• Cheapest pens on this list (at time of publication)
• More than 10,000 five-star ratings on Amazon

Cons:

• Not refillable

Pen-shoppers who want to stick with the superior bleed-resistance of a ballpoint pen but prefer a variety pack when it comes to colors will love these Paper Mate InkJoy pens. The 1.0-millimeter points write in thick, smooth lines, and they’re available in a variety of fun colors. The pens aren’t refillable, but they are retractable and have a soft grip for comfort. At a price point of under $5 for a pack of eight pens, this multipack is an awesome value — and if you really want to stock up, you can get them in quantities up to a value pack of 48 pens.

One Amazon reviewer wrote: “I am very picky about my writing instruments and was hesitant to buy without trying these first. However, I really like the colors and the way these pens write. Very smooth lines with no bleeding. These are my new favorite colored ink pens!”

Pen Type: ballpoint | Point Size: 1.0 mm | Available Colors: Each multipack includes 8

5. Best Splurge Ballpoint Pens

Pros:

• Made of ultra-durable metal
• Simple, sophisticated aesthetic
• Highly bleed-proof
• Comes with sleek, protective case
• Refillable design

Cons:

• Most expensive pen on the list
• No comfort grip
• Only available in black or blue

If you want the most bleed-resistant pen you can find and you don’t care about the price, my advice is to opt for Caran d'Ache’s 849 metal range ballpoint pen. I held this pen down for 10 seconds in one place, then ran it back and forth in a line, and then repeated the process on the back of the page. There wasn’t a trace of bleeding or leaking on either side. After that, I did the same thing on the next page and rubbed the pieces of paper together as hard as I could but couldn’t get the ink to bleed or smudge. I did all of this without pausing so I can attest to its quick-drying capabilities, too.

On top of the bleed- and smudge-resistant qualities, this smooth, retractable pen — which writes beautifully — is constructed with tough aluminum that feels indestructible and is also sleek-looking and aesthetically pleasing. If that’s not enough, it comes in a metal case to protect your belongings from accidental pen rubs (should you forget to retract it) while simultaneously protecting the pen itself from damage — and it’s refillable. This is not a wallet-friendly pen but if you have the means, it’s worth every penny.

— Rachel Cavanaugh, Commerce Writer

One Amazon reviewer wrote: “I’m constantly writing notes for work, so having a nice pen to use is a plus. The ink cartridge has lasted forever, it feels good in the hand, and it’s very smooth. I misplaced the first one that I purchased a few years ago and in a panic ordered a new one.”

Pen Type: ballpoint | Point Size: medium (exact size not specified) | Available Colors: 2 (black or blue)

6. Best Single-Color Gel Pens

Pros:

• Comfort grip
• Quick-drying ink
• Refillable design
• 41,000-plus five-star reviews on Amazon
• Available in five colors

Cons:

• Smudges if you write too fast

I got a chance to try out this Sharpie S-Gel pen, and I loved writing with it. It feels lightweight and comfortable to hold, with a soft comfort grip that helps prevent fingers from tiring. The bleed resistance was fantastic. I carried it around in my work bag for several days, using it to make notes, write to-do lists, and at one point journaling with it for several pages. Throughout all of this, I never experienced any bleeding (and I’m pretty heavy-handed).

The pen has a retractable tip so ink never leaked in my bag, and it feels durable given the price. Like most gel pens, it will smudge slightly if you write too fast, but this one was considerably more smudge-resistant than others I’ve tried. It’s not refillable, but it’s priced reasonably in a pack of 12 pens. I’m not the only one who loves this pen either — it boasts more than 40,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

— Rachel Cavanaugh, Commerce Writer

One Amazon reviewer wrote: “These are some of the best pens I've ever tried. [...] These pens do not smudge, and they do not bleed through! These are some of the best pens to use, especially if you have to write notes for school or are left handed! With no smudge, it makes writing anything easier!”

Pen Type: gel | Point Size: 0.7 mm | Available Colors: 5 (black, blue, green, purple, or red)

7. Best Multi-Colored Gel Pens

Pros:

• Comfort grip
• Available in a wide variety of colors
• 4.9-star overall rating on Amazon

Cons:

• Not refillable
• Smudges if you write too fast

These pens are similar to the S-Gels above but come in a multicolored variety pack. I was extremely impressed with their bleed-resistance as well. After filling an entire page with writing, I held the tip in one place for 10 seconds, then dragged it back and forth in lines over the same spot. When I turned the page over, I could faintly see the dot where I’d held it in place, but nothing else was visible at all. I chose the darkest blue pen for that test, and when I did the same with the lighter colors they couldn’t be seen at all. I was writing on journal paper that’s a bit thicker, so you might see a bit more ink showing through on thinner notebook paper, but overall this is a wonderfully bleed-resistant pen.

— Rachel Cavanaugh, Commerce Writer

One Amazon reviewer wrote: “I love how smooth these write and how fast the ink dries, no more smearing ink all over the paper! Pus they don’t bleed through to back of page. And the wide variety of colors are great for keeping my work/family planners organized.”

Pen Type: gel | Point Size: 0.7 mm | Available Colors: Each multipack includes 16 hues

8. Best Single-Color Felt-Tip Pens

Pros:

• Works especially well for illustrating
• Budget-friendly price

Cons:

• Not refillable
• No comfort grip
• May be slower to dry than other pen types

Although felt-tip pens are known to be more bleed-prone, these narrow-tipped Sharpies are intentionally designed to perform better than most, especially on thicker paper. One Amazon reviewer described, “When Sharpie launched this pen that doesn't bleed I did cartwheels.” The pens have a super-fine 0.4-millimeter point, making them less likely to bleed through than thicker felt options, and they write with an acid-free and archival-quality ink. The ink is also water- and fade-resistant, although reviewers have reported that they don’t do as well as Sharpie’s permanent markers on non-paper surfaces.

One Amazon reviewer wrote: “These Sharpie felt tip pens have become my go-to writing implement for the past several months. They're simple and sleek, comfortable to write with even for longer writing sessions, and they never seem to run out. I'm relatively finnicky about pens and markers and their line thickness and consistency, but I fell in love with these pens the first time I used them. The thinness, consistency of the lines, and the fact that they don't bleed through the page have cemented these as my favorite pens to use. If you're like me and enjoy bold, crisp lines and a smooth writing experience, you can't go wrong with these!”

Pen Type: felt-tip | Point Size: 0.4 mm | Available Colors: 3 (black, blue, or red)

9. Best Multi-Colored Felt-Tip Pens

Pros:

• Budget-friendly price
• 65,000-plus five-star reviews on Amazon
• Pack includes wide variety of colors

Cons:

• Not refillable
• No comfort grip
• May be slower to dry than other pen types

If you’re seeking felt tip pens in a wider variety of colors, this Paper Mate Flair set is another choice that promises to be more bleed-resistant than others. The pens are incredibly well-liked on Amazon with shoppers swearing the ink “doesn't bleed over like a lot of other felt tip styles.” In fact, with more than 65,000-five-star reviews, these pens are the most popular selection on this list ratings-wise. They have 0.7-millimeter points and come in a variety of bright colors, making them a fun choice for writing that pops. Like the previous felt-tip selection, these are slower-drying and may bleed through thinner paper.

One Amazon reviewer wrote: “There's really no competing with the Paper Mate Flair felt tip pens. They are in a class all their own, and I personally consider them the standard for felt tip pens. You can use these on any paper and there's not going to be any bleed whatsoever. These are the main pens that I use in my planner for color coding notes and everything else.”

Pen Type: felt-tip | Point Size: 0.7 mm | Available Colors: Each multipack includes 24 (additional colors available in other multipacks)

10. Best Fineliner Pens

Pros:

• Narrow fineliner tip
• Comfort grip
• Sophisticated aesthetic
• Refillable design
• 4.7 overall rating on Amazon

Cons:

• More expensive than other options on the list

For people in search of a narrow fine-liner pen, it’s hard to beat the Uniball Vision Rollerball. The tip is so beautifully thin and delicate that your writing appears more graceful simply by virtue of the fine point. The pen is lightweight and refillable — and when I put it to the test like the others I tried, it performed just as well, although it did tend to smudge a bit more. I was surprised given that rollerballls tend to bleed more. I first learned about this pen from romance author Kay Stephens, who also raved about the writing utensil’s bleed-proof qualities.

“I’m fairly certain the fine people of Uniball are secret wizards because these pens are waterproof, fade-proof, and have never leaked on me after two decades of daily writing,” Stephens wrote. “I have put these little guys to the test but no amount of aggressive scribbling (you know when you get those really great writing ideas?), sweaty hand swipes, or water spills will make that ink budge.”

I agree with Stephens’ endorsement and have incorporated the Uniball into my bleed-resistant writing pen arsenal as well.

— Rachel Cavanaugh, Commerce Writer

One Amazon reviewer wrote: “THESE. ARE. MY. FAVORITE. PENS. The absolute best. I work in emergency services and spend a lot of time jotting notes in all kinds of environments. I can’t deal with a pen that doesn’t work or can’t write in an emergency. These things last for MONTHS and never skip or write a broken line. Like. NEVER. I keep notes on 3x5 notecards and these allow me to take very tiny, but perfectly legible notes! They don’t bleed at all and they always produce a line of a consistent thickness. If they ever stop making these I would cry.”

Pen Type: rollerball | Point Size: 0.5 mm | Available Colors: 3 (black, blue, or red)

11. Runner-Up Fineliners

Pros:

• Narrow fineliner tip
• Works especially well for illustrating
• Archival-quality ink
• 47,000-plus five-star reviews on Amazon
• Only available in black ink

Cons:

• Not refillable
• No comfort grip
• Only available in black
• Smudges if you write too fast

Another fantastic choice for fine-liner lovers, the Sakura Pigma Micron is a marker-style pen that’s designed for artists but can be used by anyone who wants a non-bleeding, high-quality writing utensil. The ink is archival-quality, pH-neutral, fade-resistant, and waterproof, making it a reliable option for everything from note-taking to scrapbooking to drawing. Most notably, this capped pen set comes with a variety of tip sizes, ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 millimeters — so if you enjoy fine points (and don’t mind a non-refillable, non-retractable pen), this is a nice pack to try.

One Amazon reviewer wrote: “These came highly recommended to me, so I purchased them for journaling. Love the various sized tips it comes with and they write very smoothly! The ink is really pigmented and shows up well on paper, but doesn't bleed through the page, which is a huge plus. There's definitely some smearing when used on glossy paper, but I haven't experienced smearing with any other kind of paper. Highly recommend!”

Pen Type: fine-liner | Point Size: varies within pack (0.2 to 0.5 mm) | Available Colors: 1 (black)

12. Best Rollerball Pens

Pros:

• Comfort grip
• Writes smoothly
• Available in a variety of colors

Cons:

• Not refillable
• Slower to dry

The Pilot Precise V5 is my absolute favorite style of pen. It’s a rollerball pen with a 0.5-millimeter point that makes perfectly fine yet dark lines that are easy to read. Although the ink isn’t incredibly fast-drying, the fine point keeps it from bleeding through paper, and the pen has a slight, satisfying “scratch” that I personally can’t get enough of. The ink never skips, making smooth, connected lines even when I write quickly in cursive. It has a an overall rating of 4.8 stars after nearly 10,000 shoppers weighed in, so it’s clear other reviewers agree.

I prefer the capped version, which features a window on the pen’s body, allowing you to see how much ink is left, but it’s also available in a retractable version. Neither style is refillable.

— Rachel Dunkel, Commerce Writer

One Amazon reviewer wrote: “Best pens ever, for writing letters, journaling, record keeping, etc. Nice fine point for a beautiful looking script on a correspondence letter, yet no so incredibly fine that it's hard to read... it's plenty legible. No smudging, and unlike marker pens that are not a roller ball, these just glide along the page effortlessly. No skipping. No bleed-through. I discovered these pens back in grad school (great for note taking!) and now they’re the only kind I will use.”

Pen Type: rollerball | Point Size: 0.5 mm | Available Colors: 6 options (including a 12-color multipack)

Also Great: Bleed-Resistant Gel Highlighters

Highly pigmented highlighters with wide tips and liquid ink are notorious for bleeding through thin paper — but these Mr. Pen highlighters have a crayon-like, gel-stick design that has garnered high marks from Amazon reviewers for not saturating through paper. They’re even available in a multicolor set of eight so you can color-code your notes. They are capped, have a twist-up feature for releasing more gel-stick color, and the tips of these highlighters can even be sharpened for a finer point. They aren’t designed to be refilled.

One Amazon reviewer wrote: “These work so much better than highlighters. They write seamlessly and do not bleed through the pages.”