Bullet Journal Key | including free printable bujo key pages

What is a bullet journal key?

A bullet journal key is an important page in any bullet journal.

Ryder Carroll, who created the bullet journal, uses symbols throughout his journal.

His bullet journal key is used to note further information about tasks, events etc. in a quick and effective way.

Having a bullet journal key page isn’t essential but if you’re new to Journaling or what to create your own more detailed key then it’s a good idea to make a note of what everything means.

Just imagine looking back at your journal in a few years…would you remember what it all meant?

Ryder Carroll’s bullet journal key

Ryder Carroll’s bujo key is much like his bullet journaling method: pretty straight forward.

Carroll uses the following symbols:

• = represents a task you have to do.

○ = an event.

- = notes

As an add-on to the above Carroll would include further details with:

* = adding a asterisk means it is important.

To record whether the task has been completed or not, Carroll turns the bullet point • into an :

X = completed

< = migrated to tomorrow’s task list.

= migrate task to future log and complete at another time.

Ryder Carroll’s bullet journal key is really helpful. I use his method daily as I love to keep it simple.

That said, I have seen some pretty great bullet journal key ideas that could work really well.

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What bujo key should I use?

The awesome thing about bullet journaling is that bullet journals are adaptable and are something that you can add to overtime as your system develops.

Don’t worry if you don’t develop the perfect bullet journal key for you right away.

Your bujo key can consist of symbols or colors and should fit your lifestyle.

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So, if you blog then you may place a pencil symbol when you want to publish a post.

If you workout, a small sneaker could remind you that it was a cardio day. A flower could represent a rest day.

If you prefer to keep it simple then you could simply place an ‘R’ on rest days and a ‘C’ on cardio days.

If you’re trying to pull together several peoples lives (like many parents need to) then picking a different color for each member of the family can help to co-ordinate schedules.

Do whatever work for you.

How to create a bullet journal key?

Note down the things that you want to be able to recognize quickly in your daily and weekly logs.

Things that you do regularly (swimming, gym, homework);

Regular outings (library, eating-out);

Choose a symbol or color for each of the above.

Note down the names of the people who’s activities feature in your bujo. Assign each a color so they can be easily identified.

Where does the bullet journal key page go?

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There’s no specific place for a bujo key but make sure that it’s somewhere you can locate it easily.

I keep mine at the front.

Bullet journal key ideas

Let’s take a look at some great bullet journal key ideas.

I love how this key is so simple while also including some really useful info!

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My Leuchtturm1917 setup video will come online on tuesday. Here's my keys page inspired by Chibiusas key from Sailor Moon. 🗝🥰 . . MATERIALS I USED 🗝 Leuchtturm1917 🗝 Tombow dual brush pen 062, 991, 723, 743 🗝 Sakura micron 01 #keyspage #keys #key #bulletjournal #bulletjournal2019 #bujo #bujo2019 #sailormoon #chibiusa #chibiusakey #bulletjournalkey #bulletjournalkeys #leuchtturm1917 #leuchtturm #notebook #bujosetup #bulletjournalsetup

A post shared by Journal By Caroline (@journalbycaroline) on Apr 20, 2019 at 8:34am PDT

Another clean, simple and informative design.

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First page in my new notebook! I wanted to keep the first pages clean and I decided on this tropical plant theme with a little pop of colour! 🌸 _ _ _ _ #bujokey #bujokeypage #bujokey2019 #bujokeyideas #tropicalbujo #tropicaltheme #tropicalbujotheme #bulletjournalkey #bujoinspo #bujoinspiration #discoverbulletjournal #showmeyourplanner #bulletjournalshowcase #handlettering #aesthetic #bujolife #bulletjournallove #bulletjournalcommunity #bujosofinstagram #planning #bujogram #bujoinspo #calligraphy #brushpen #bujodaily

A post shared by Miloe (@bujo.thyme) on Jun 29, 2019 at 6:00am PDT

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Getting slightly more detailed now with symbols for fitness, birthdays, travel and more. This would work well for a busy person with a lot of different tasks to manage.

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Hello Little Stars 🌟! . Today I bring you a bujo basic… My key!!!☺️🥳🔑 . Super useful spread and a MUST when you transfer notebooks 🥰. I changed to a @charuca this month of June and this spread has helped me a lot!😍 . Do you have a similar key, or is it different?!🤔🗝️ . BTW, you can see lots of doodles but in the end I only use the basics😂😂 . Lots of sparkles ✨✨

A post shared by BujoForStars✨ (@bujoforstars) on Jun 24, 2019 at 11:07am PDT

A great example of how color highlights can differentiate between family members.

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Hola 2019! Hola cambios! He decido no usar más lápices de colores en mis escaleras de tiempo así que quise dejar en una pagina los colores que estaré usando para este año. • • El layout es inspiración de @shaydacampbell cuyo vídeo de planificación del 2019 hace ver como es tan sencillo hacer dibujos como este… la verdad es que está muy fuera de mi zona de confort!! Uds que piensan??? Les gusta??? • • • • #bulletjournal #plannercommunity #bujo #bullet #bulletjournaling #bujocommunity #nuuna #nuunabybrandbook #key #bulletjournalkey #tombow #tombowdualbrushpens #tombowbrushpen #barcelona

A post shared by Patricia Rojas José (@lettering_and_me) on Jan 2, 2019 at 11:39am PST

So simple yet such a clear and concise bullet journal key.

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First things first! We're setting up our key before we start journaling. ✅☑️❎ Do you have a set key you abide by on every bullet journal? #dingbatsnotebooks #bulletjournal #bulletjournalkey - Visuals by Nina

A post shared by Dingbats* Notebooks (@dingbatsnotebooks) on Jan 24, 2018 at 6:43am PST

For younger bullet journalers this type of bujo key might work well.

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Here is my key. I'm so happy with it. • Mein Key ist fertig und ich bin sogar ganz zufrieden 🙂 #bulletjounal #bujo #bujo2018 #bujoinspiration #bulletjournalinspiration #bujoinspo #bujokey #bulletjournalkey #bulletjournaling #flower #watercolor #watercolorflower

A post shared by Kim ♡ (@bullet__journaling) on Nov 16, 2018 at 7:38am PST