How to Choose the Right Index Tab Cut

The bottom number tells you how many equal positions the page edge is divided into. A 1/5 cut splits the edge into five positions, so up to five tabs fit across before the sixth would sit directly behind the first. A 1/8 cut gives eight narrower positions; a 1/10 cut gives ten.

The more positions in the cut, the narrower each individual tab — which means less room for text but more sections visible at a glance.

Match the cut to how many tabs you need in a set and how much text goes on each tab:

• Few sections, longer titles → choose a lower cut (1/3, 1/5). Wider tabs hold more text.
• Many sections, short labels → choose a higher cut (1/8, 1/10, 1/12). More tabs fit per row.
• More tabs than the cut allows → tabs simply step down to a second (or third) row, called “banks.” A 1/5 cut with 10 tabs gives you two staggered rows of five.

Tabzoola makes every standard cut from 1/2 all the way to 1/15, including the most popular 1/5 cut, 1/8 cut, and 1/10 cut. You set the cut and the number of tabs per set right in the online designer, and the preview shows exactly how the text fits at your chosen size.

If you're unsure which cut suits your binder, our team can recommend one based on your section count and titles — just ask before you order.