Moleskine vs. Leuchtturm1917: Which Notebook Should You Choose?

Moleskine and Leuchtturm1917 are the two most popular premium notebooks in the world. They look similar, cost similar amounts, and target similar audiences. But they are not interchangeable. Each has distinct strengths that suit different writing practices.

The Key Differences

Paper

Moleskine: 70gsm ivory-colored paper. Thinner and more absorbent than Leuchtturm. Has a warm, vintage feel but struggles with wet inks. Significant ghosting with fountain pens and markers. Bleed-through is possible with heavy ink application.

Leuchtturm1917: 80gsm off-white paper. Noticeably heavier and more resistant to bleed-through. Handles fountain pens (fine nibs) acceptably. Ghosting is present but less severe than Moleskine.

Winner: Leuchtturm. The 10gsm difference is small on paper but significant in practice. For anyone using anything wetter than a ballpoint, Leuchtturm is the safer choice.

Organization Features

Moleskine: No numbered pages. No table of contents. One ribbon bookmark. Elastic closure. Back pocket.

Leuchtturm1917: 251 numbered pages. Three-page table of contents. Two ribbon bookmarks. Elastic closure. Back pocket. Adhesive labels.

Winner: Leuchtturm, decisively. The numbered pages and table of contents are invaluable for bullet journaling and organized note-taking. If these features matter to you, the choice is clear.

Page Count

Moleskine Large: 240 pages Leuchtturm1917 A5: 251 pages

Winner: Leuchtturm, marginally. Both offer enough pages for several months of daily use.

Build Quality

Both notebooks use thread-sewn bindings and hardcovers. Both lay flat when open. Both have elastic closures and back pockets.

Moleskine has rounded corners (less prone to dog-earing) and a slightly slimmer profile.

Leuchtturm has squared corners and a marginally thicker feel due to heavier paper.

Winner: Tie. Both are well-built and durable.

Writing Feel

This is subjective, but there is a real difference. Moleskine’s thinner, more absorbent paper creates a softer writing feel — the pen sinks in slightly. Leuchtturm’s denser paper provides more resistance, which some writers prefer for control.

For fountain pen users, Leuchtturm provides a better ink experience. For pencil and ballpoint users, Moleskine’s softer paper can feel more pleasant.

Winner: Depends on your tool. Fountain pen and gel pen users: Leuchtturm. Pencil and ballpoint users: either works, but Moleskine has a slight edge in tactile feel.

Color and Design

Moleskine: Classic black is iconic. Other colors available but the range is smaller. The brand has strong name recognition and cultural cachet (marketed as the notebook of Hemingway, Picasso, and Chatwin — a claim that is historically dubious but effective).

Leuchtturm: Over 20 cover colors. More variety and self-expression. Less brand mystique but more practical customization.

Winner: Leuchtturm for variety. Moleskine for brand heritage and minimalist aesthetics.

Price

Both retail between $18 and $25 for their standard A5/Large hardcover notebooks. Prices are effectively identical.

Winner: Tie.

Which Notebook for Which Practice?

For Bullet Journaling

Leuchtturm1917. The numbered pages, table of contents, and dotted grid option make it purpose-built for the system.

For Traditional Journaling

Either works. If you write primarily with ballpoints or pencils and value aesthetics, Moleskine. If you want organizational features and use gel or fountain pens, Leuchtturm.

For Travel Journaling

Moleskine Pocket has a slight edge for portability and durability, with its rounded corners and slimmer profile. But Leuchtturm’s pocket notebook is equally capable.

For Fountain Pen Writing

Leuchtturm, with reservations. Neither is ideal for fountain pen use. If fountain pen performance is your priority, consider Rhodia Webnotebook or Midori MD instead.

For Morning Pages

Either works. For morning pages, you will fill notebooks quickly, so cost-effectiveness matters. At similar prices, choose whichever feels more pleasant to write in. Some morning pages practitioners prefer cheap notebooks to reduce preciousness.

The Verdict

Leuchtturm1917 is the better notebook for most writers. Its superior paper, organizational features, and practical design advantages outweigh Moleskine’s brand appeal. The numbered pages alone are worth the switch for anyone who uses their notebook as a reference, not just a repository.

Moleskine is not a bad notebook. It is a perfectly adequate notebook with excellent brand recognition. But in a head-to-head comparison, the Leuchtturm1917 delivers more value for the same price.

If you are currently using Moleskine and happy with it, there is no urgent reason to switch. But if you are choosing between the two for the first time, start with the Leuchtturm. You can always try a Moleskine later — and the comparison will teach you more about your preferences than any review can.