If you’re not sure what page size planner is right for you, this post will give you some things to consider.

I’ve used the Happy Planner for reference as it comes in the 3 main sizes you can find most planners in: small, medium and big.

Read more: Ultimate planner page size guide (with printable reference cheat sheet) 

Quick size reference

• Mini =  5.5″ wide x 7.5″ high.
• Classic = 7.75″ wide x 9.75″ high (the actual planner pages are 7″ wide x 9.25″ high)
• Big = US letter size 8.5″ wide x 11″ high

Mini Happy Planner

The mini is my favorite small planner. Most planners don’t come in this size, or if they do they’re ring bound or travellers notebook style.

Read more: MAMBI Mini Happy Planner Review (pros, cons, should you buy it?) 

Use the mini Happy Planner if:

• You don’t have much to plan – small page size + small writing space + small discs (although you could replace them with bigger discs to fit more pages)
• Want the cheapest Happy Planner
• Prefer lined writing space
• Like to use stickers
• You rarely use a monthly calendar (as the boxes are so small)
• You prefer to work off to do lists and don’t need much space for weekly planning (i.e. only use the weekly spread for appointments)
• If you use 2 planners at once – the mini is ideal for health and fitness tracking, work planning, checklists
• If you need a lightweight and portable planner
• If you combine digital and paper planning e.g. keep a master task list in Excel and then use your planner for appointments and reminders only
• If you want to use a generic layout i.e. horizontal

Classic Happy Planner

This is my favorite Happy Planner page size. Just the right amount of space without being too big, bulky and heavy.

Read more: Honest review of the Happy Planner by Me and my Big Ideas (MAMBI)

Use the classic Happy Planner if:

• If you want a different weekly spread – the classic comes in the usual vertical, horizontal and hourly but also color block & Super Mom
• There are more refill inserts (and half sheet inserts) at classic size than the mini and big
• Just the right amount of space without being too heavy or the page size too big
• Option for 12 month or 18 month planner
• You want to do hourly planning (the mini is too small)
• You like to do sticker decorating – most planners come in a page size similar to the MAMBI classic so the stickers tend to be interchangeable or can be trimmed slightly to fit
• Students – the page size is just right and not too heavy to carry around

Related: Using Erin Condren Size Planner Stickers in MAMBI Classic Happy Planner

Big Happy Planner

I don’t use the big Happy Planner… it’s far too big (US letter page size). Bigger page size + lots of pages = very heavy.

Use the Big Happy Planner if:

• Family planning
• You have big handwriting
• Your planner stays at home on your desk
• You like to print your own printables and don’t have a printer that can resize pages (tutorial here so you can test your printer)
• Option for 12 month or 18 month planner
• You want to do hourly planning

Happy Notes

If you like bullet journaling or just want a notebook to accompany your planner, my favorite Happy Planner product is the Happy Notes notebooks. They come in lined, graph and dot grid inside pages. They also come in the mini, classic, half sheet classic (my favorite for lists) and big page sizes.

Read more: MAMBI Happy Planner Happy Notes Review

Where to buy the Happy Planner

If you like the Happy Planner, my sister stocks it in her planner supplies shop, Carefully Crafted (click here).

More Happy Planner

• How to print printables at MAMBI Happy Planner Size (step by step tutorial)
• MAMBI Happy Planner Discbound Punch versus the ARC (are they compatible?)
• MAMBI Happy Planner Recipe Organizer Review

Planning Tips

• The Process Behind Making a Printable Planner
• How to store planner pens (5 ways – and my favorite method!)
• How to make planner stickers – creating perfectly proportioned shapes in Silhouette Studio (video tutorial) 

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