How Many Index Tabs Do You Need? (A Quick Planner)

Count the sections you want a tab for — that's your number of tabs per set. A contract binder might have 8 sections; an exhibit set might have 50. There's no real upper limit.

The cut sets how many tab positions sit across the page edge. A lower cut (1/5) gives wider tabs with room for longer titles; a higher cut (1/8, 1/10) fits more tabs per row but each is narrower. Match the cut to your title length and how many sections you have.

• Few sections, longer titles → lower cut (1/3, 1/5)
• Many sections, short labels → higher cut (1/8, 1/10, 1/12)

If you need more tabs than a single row allows, the extra tabs step down into additional staggered rows called banks. A 1/5 cut with 10 tabs gives two banks of five — so every tab stays visible without overlapping. You can keep adding banks for large sets.

Once you know your section count and cut, the online designer shows a live preview at your chosen size, so you can confirm everything fits before you order. The minimum is 25 sets, with volume pricing as the quantity climbs.