Planner FAQs: Get Answers to Your Most Common Planning Questions

Questions? Chaos? Planner Confusion? Let’s Unpack It.

We know. Planner sizes are a mess, foil freaks people out, and don’t even get us started on Amazon returns. This is your one-stop hub for all the need-to-know answers about CityGirl Planners: what we make, how we ship it, and what to check before hitting that buy button.

No fluff. No corporate robot-speak. Just clear info, delivered with a wink and a caffeine buzz. So if you’ve got a burning question like “Will this fit my weird binder from 2012?” or “Why are made-to-order planners final sale?”—scroll down, we’ve got you.

Planner sizing is the wild west—no rules, just vibes. And unfortunately, a lot of brands throw around terms like “A6” or “Personal” without actually meaning the same thing.

Behind the Paper: How We Work & What We Make

We’re not a factory. We’re not a drop shipper. We’re a small, mildly obsessive team with label makers and strong opinions about paper. Here’s what you’ve been dying to ask.

Taken by the Storm 6x8 spiral notebook refill cover with romance novel couple design — fits Coach-style luxury covers

Yes. Every tab, punch, trim, and package is done in-house by actual humans. No outsourcing, no bulk imports, no cutting corners. Because we’re control freaks with label makers—and we like things done right.

All inserts are designed, printed, punched, and packed by us right here in central Kentucky. We don’t use outside printers, drop shippers, or overseas factories. It’s all hands-on, all in-house.

Nope. Everything we sell is physically printed and shipped. We’re a print shop, not a PDF warehouse. If you’re looking to DIY, we wish you luck (and a steady printer).

We don’t offer custom layouts, fully custom designs, one-off formats, or edits to our templates. Personalization is available only where shown on the product page.

Requests left in order notes will not be honored unless approved by us before purchase. Options not shown on the product page are not currently offered.

Please contact us before purchasing if you need clarification. Leaving a request in order notes does not add an option to your order.

Our inserts are printed on 80# text weight bright white paper (that’s about 32lb for you U.S. folks). It’s smooth, durable, and holds up to pens like a champ—without being cardstock thick.

Some specialty designs—like journaling pages or colored paper—may use slightly thinner or thicker stocks depending on the layout. Always check the listing details for paper notes on those. If it doesn’t say otherwise, assume it’s our signature bright white.

We don’t currently offer gift wrapping. Gift notes are available only if shown as an option on the product page.

Requests left in order notes will not be honored unless approved by us before purchase. Options not shown on the product page are not currently offered.

Rarely….sometimes….when we remember. We price fairly all year long, and we don’t play the mark-it-up-to-mark-it-down game. Occasionally we’ll drop a special offer for newsletter subscribers. So keep an eye on your inbox if you’re on the list.

Yes. Every layout, checklist, and insert in our shop was created by us.

That’s also why it takes us forever to release new stuff. We’re a tiny team doing all the things — designing, printing, packing, answering emails, and sometimes remembering to eat. If it’s not listed yet, it’s probably still trapped in a sketchbook or buried under a to-do list.

Let’s Talk Planner Refills (Because “A6” Apparently Means 12 Different Things)

Here’s how we define sizes at CityGirl Planners, and how to make sure you’re getting the right fit. (Spoiler: it’s probably not the one your Instagram bestie uses.)

Contacts address book planner insert with fields for name, phone, email, and address

We currently offer planner inserts in several sizes: Pocket, Pocket XL, Personal, FC Compact, Half Size, A5 Slim, A5, and HP Classic. Not every insert is available in every size, so please check the dropdown menu on each product listing for available options.

SizeMeasurements
Pocket3.2″ × 4.7″ | 81mm x 120mm
Pocket XL3.5″ × 5.5″
Personal3.74″ × 6.73″ | 95mm x 171mm
FC Compact4.25″ × 6.75″
Half Size5.5″ × 8.5″
A5 Slim5″ × 8.27″
A55.83″ × 8.27″ | 148mm x 210mm
HP Classic7″ × 9.25″

Planner size names are messy little liars. For the best fit, compare the measurements of your current inserts to the size listed above before ordering.

We wish planner sizing was standardized, but unfortunately, it’s a wild ride. A6 doesn’t always mean A6, and half the binders out there are mislabeled. So ignore the label on your binder and grab a ruler instead.

The fastest way to figure it out? Measure a sheet from your current insert—or measure the distance between the middle rings of your binder (see the image below for a reference). That’s what determines the size, not the cover or what the product listing claimed.

Here are the sizes we currently carry:

  • A5 (5.83 x 8.27) – fits Moterm, Filofax A5 & LV GM
  • A5 Slim (5 x 8.27) – fits slim A5-style planners, including Coach notebooks with ring adapter add-ons
  • Half (5.5 x 8.5) – fits Half Letter 3- & 7-ring and discbound systems
  • Personal (3.74 x 6.73) – fits LV MM, Filofax & Moterm Personal
  • FC Compact (4.25 x 6.75) – Franklin Covey Compact binders*
  • Pocket XL (3.5 x 5.5) – may fit Pocket size binders with a roomier cut
  • Pocket (3.2 x 4.7) – fits LV PM, Filofax & Moterm Pocket
  • Classic (7 x 9.25) – fits Happy Planner Classic and similar discbound notebooks

There are other sizes out there—like Personal Wide, A6, and B6—but we don’t make those and won’t be adding them, even by special request. Check the product page for the sizes currently offered for that item.

* Some Personal size planner users choose FC Compact inserts for the extra writing room. They may fit inside many Personal binders, but please measure your binder before ordering. If you’re purchasing tabbed inserts, keep in mind that tabs may extend beyond the cover or interfere with closing, depending on your binder brand and ring placement.

Still unsure? Send us a quick picture of one of your inserts next to a ruler. We’ll help you figure it out before you buy—because we’d rather avoid the “wrong size” drama later.

How to measure the middle ring gap in a 6-ring planner binder to choose the correct insert size for A5, A5 Slim, Personal, FC Compact, Pocket, and Pocket XL planner refills.

Select your size and punch style from the options shown on the product page. Unpunched inserts are available only when that option is listed.

Requests left in order notes will not be honored unless approved by us before purchase. Options not shown on the product page are not currently offered.

Sorry, we don’t sell A6 anymore, but true A6 is 105mm x 148mm. Heads up: some “A6” binders (especially from overseas) are cut smaller and won’t fit true A6 pages.

If your binder is from Amazon, Etsy, or came with sparkles and no brand name, it’s probably not true A6. Personal size is a safer bet.

Technically, yes. But we don’t use brand names in listings due to trademark restrictions here and our other online marketplace shops.

Here’s the cheat sheet:

  • Small / PM Agenda = Pocket size
  • Medium / MM Agenda = Personal size
  • Large / GM Agenda = A5 size

We try to make it clear in our tags and descriptions so LV lovers know what to grab.

No. Made-to-order planner products cannot be returned or exchanged because you selected the wrong size or punch style, even if they are unused. Please check the measurements and available options before purchasing.

If we sent a size or punch style different from what you ordered, that is our error. Contact us within 2 days of delivery with your order number and photos so we can correct it.

Not sure before you buy? Message us! We’re happy to help double-check your size and punch settings. See our Return Policy for details.

Compact = just the calendar pages.
Deluxe = calendar pages plus bonus sheets like This Month dashboard and Notes pages.

Want the basics? Go Compact. Want the extras? Deluxe is your jam.

Learn the difference between our Month on 2 Pages Deluxe and Compact formats in the video below.

Tabs are only available in the Deluxe format—no exceptions. You’ll find them on Monthly and Complete planners, but not on weekly layouts.

We print tabs directly onto the same paper as your calendar pages—no cardstock here. Each tab is laminated and precision-cut by hand in our studio. It’s a process, but totally worth it for that clean, durable finish.

TL;DR:
Want tabs? Default Deluxe.
Want Compact? No tabs for you.
Want tabs on weeklies? Still dreaming.

How It Ships, Where It’s From, and Why We Don’t Sleep

We make everything in-house, pack it ourselves, and yes, we know exactly where your order is right now. Here’s what to expect when the mailperson becomes your best friend.

Most orders ship within 5–8 business days, but we try to get them out faster whenever we can. Some things (like foiled calendars or complicated combos) take a little extra time because every order is made by actual humans—on real machines—with coffee-fueled precision.

You’ll get a shipping confirmation with tracking as soon as it’s on the move. Promise we’re working on it!

We ship from Kentucky, USA. If you see a return label with our actual names on it… yes, that’s us. Not a warehouse. Not a robot.

Yes! Free shipping on all orders within the U.S. There is no minimum purchase and no code required.

We currently ship only within the United States.

Yes. As soon as your order ships, you’ll get a tracking number via email. If you didn’t get one, check your spam folder. Or your cat’s inbox. They hoard stuff.

We know—it’s frustrating. Sometimes packages get marked “Delivered” before they actually are. A USPS postmaster once told us it’s tied to two-day delivery quotas (thanks, Amazon), but whatever the reason, it’s surprisingly common for items to show up a day or two later.

If your order’s marked as delivered but is MIA:

  1. Wait 1–2 business days. Packages sometimes catch up on their own.
  2. Check with neighbors or anyone in your household who might’ve grabbed it.
  3. Contact your local post office directly. Ask them to run a GPS scan on the package. USPS scans are geotagged, and your local office can verify exactly where the carrier was when it was marked delivered.

If the package was misdelivered, the post office can often recover it.

Still missing? You can:

We’re happy to help guide you through it, but here’s the bottom line:

We’re a small business—not a billion-dollar retailer. We paid USPS to deliver your order, and if they marked it delivered, we can’t reship it without confirmation of a carrier error or recovered package. Too many scammers have ruined that for the honest folks.

We’ll do our part. But the rest is between you and your carrier. Hold them accountable.

Start with your local post office. Then check with any neighbors, roommates, or anyone suspiciously enthusiastic about packages. If it’s officially missing, contact us within 7 days of the marked delivery date, and we’ll do what we can to help.

Final Sale, Order Issues & Cancellations

Made just for you means final sale. All made-to-order planner products are final sale, except for our errors or defects. Please check your size, punch style, and other options before ordering—and reach out before you buy if you need help.

All made-to-order planner products are final sale, except for our errors or defects. This includes planner inserts and refills, calendars, and bound planners, whether or not they are personalized.

We do not accept returns, exchanges, or refunds for a change of mind, incorrect size or option selection, or an unapproved customization request. If we made an error or your product is defective, contact us within 2 days of delivery with your order number and photos. Please contact us before sending anything back.

For full details, see our Return Policy.

All made-to-order planner products are final sale, except for our errors or defects. This includes planner inserts and refills, calendars, and bound planners, whether or not they are personalized.

Sale and clearance items, personalized or custom products, and leather goods also remain final sale. A separate “Final Sale” label is not required for a made-to-order planner product to be final sale.

Final sale does not exclude help for our errors or defects. Please contact us if something is incorrect or defective.

Please measure your current inserts and check the product page before ordering. We cannot accept returns or exchanges of made-to-order planner products for an incorrect size or punch style selected at checkout, even if unused.

If you are unsure, contact us before purchase. If the item we sent differs from your order, contact us within 2 days of delivery with your order number and photos so we can correct our error.

Please contact us first if we made an error or your product is defective. If we authorize a return to resolve that issue, we’ll provide instructions. Include your order number, keep the original packaging when possible, and pack the item securely.

A defective item does not need to be in resalable condition to qualify for help. Unused or like-new condition alone does not make a final-sale item eligible for a return.

If we authorize a return because of our error or a defect, we cover the return shipping and provide instructions. We also cover shipping for the replacement.

We do not offer voluntary returns or wrong-size exchanges for made-to-order planner products.

You’ve got 4 hours to change your mind. After that, your order enters our “print it, cut it, punch it” machine of doom, and cancellation is no longer an option.

Refusing delivery? That’s considered a forfeited order. We can’t pull it back once it’s in transit, so no refund will be issued.

Our final-sale policy includes an exception for our errors or defects. Contact us within 2 days of delivery with photos and your order number.

We’ll replace the incorrect or defective item with the same item and cover replacement shipping. If a return is needed, contact us first for authorization and prepaid return instructions.

Small handmade variations are normal; missing pages, production defects, or an item that differs from your order are issues we’ll help correct.

If your package arrives damaged, don’t worry—we’ll help however we can. But since all of our shipments are insured through USPS or UPS, you’ll need to file the claim directly with the carrier. They require it to come from the recipient (we know, it’s annoying).

Here’s what to do:

  • Keep all original packaging
  • Take clear photos of the damage (including the shipping box or mailer)
  • File a claim with the appropriate carrier:

Once your claim is submitted, let us know—we’re happy to help with any supporting info the carrier requests to speed things along.

Contact us immediately if you need to change an order. We cannot edit an order once it is in processing. Cancellation and a full refund so you can reorder are available only within the 4-hour cancellation window; after that, the order cannot be canceled or refunded for changes. A new order takes a new place in the queue.

Requests left in order notes will not be honored unless approved by us before purchase. Options not shown on the product page are not currently offered.