Skip to content

KWL Chart

Blank notebook and pencil: printable KWL chart for Know, Want to know and Learned

A KWL chart is a three-column sheet where learners list what they Know, what they Want to know, and what they Learned about a topic. Choose the KWL, KWLS or KWHL version, add a topic and the number of lines, preview it, and print it at actual size on letter or A4 paper.

1. Chart
Paper and color

Set the scale to 100% / Actual size.

Worked example: a KWL chart about butterflies

Before the lesson a learner writes what they know (K) and what they want to know (W). After the lesson they fill L with what they learned. Tick “Show a filled example” in the tool to see this chart on the sheet.

K: What I Know W: What I Want to know L: What I Learned
They have wings. Why do some fly so far? A caterpillar turns into a chrysalis.
They start as caterpillars. How long do they live? Monarchs travel long distances.
They drink nectar from flowers. Their wings have tiny scales.
KWL chart example about butterflies, filled in

Which chart: KWL, KWLS or KWHL

Chart Columns Count Best for
KWL K, W, L 3 Most lessons, reading and science units
KWLS K, W, L, S 4 When you want questions to carry on to the next lesson
KWHL K, W, H, L 4 Research projects where learners plan how to find answers
Three charts to print: KWL, KWLS and KWHL

How to use a KWL chart in four steps

  1. Pick a topic and write it at the top of the sheet.
  2. Before the lesson, list what you know in K and what you want to find out in W. Short phrases are fine.
  3. During the lesson, look for the answers to your W questions.
  4. Afterward, write what you learned in L, and tick off any W question that is answered. Use S or H if your chart has them.

Topic ideas by subject

Subject Topic A question to put in W
Science The water cycle Which parts of the cycle can I see outside?
Reading Before a new book What do I think will happen next?
Social studies Ancient Egypt Who lived near the river?
Math Fractions Where do I use fractions at home?

For a math topic, pair the chart with our fractions worksheets. When the chart is complete, reward the reader with one of our printable bookmarks.

How we checked it

On 26 October 2026 we opened the tool in Chrome and tried all 3 chart types with 6, 8, 10 and 12 lines, with and without the example: every sheet showed the right number of columns and ruled lines and fit one page. We also printed to PDF on letter and A4 in portrait and landscape: each was a single page.

Frequently asked questions

What does KWL stand for?

K stands for what you Know, W for what you Want to know, and L for what you Learned. Learners fill the first two columns before a lesson and the last one after it.

What is the difference between KWL, KWLS and KWHL?

KWL has three columns. KWLS adds S, what you Still want to learn. KWHL adds H, how you can find out, between W and L, so learners plan where to look.

When do you fill in each column?

Fill K and W at the start, before reading or the lesson. Fill L afterward, and S or H when you reach them: H while planning, S at the end.

Can I print a KWL chart on A4?

Yes. Choose A4 in the paper box, pick portrait or landscape, and print at 100 percent or Actual size so the lines stay the right size.

Back to the Coloring Pages Free Printable home page for more sheets.

Was this page helpful?

Tell us what worked or what to fix. It takes ten seconds.

All printables