Muji vs Pentel:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Muji had more branded searches than Pentel among pen and stationery brands worldwide. Muji had about 90,700 branded searches, while Pentel had 49,500. Muji made up 5.2% of all pen and stationery brand searches we track, and Pentel accounted for 2.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about pen and stationery brands, Pentel appeared in four of the five answers and Muji in three. Pentel was mentioned before Muji in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Muji, about 83% more searches than Pentel
Who does AI mention more?
Pentel, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Muji in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Pentel, named ahead of Muji in 3 of 4 answers
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Top pen and stationery brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Pentel was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Muji was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Pentel was listed before Muji in three out of four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Pilot5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Pentel4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Zebra4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
uni-ball4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Parker3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Muji3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Rhodia3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Moleskine2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Leuchtturm19172 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Lamy2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about pen and stationery brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which pen or stationery brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best pen and stationery brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best pen or stationery brand for everyday writing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“pen brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“stationery brands”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Muji or Pentel more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Muji and Pentel by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 13 pen and stationery brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Muji, Pentel. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | BIC | Parker | Moleskine | Pilot | Sharpie | Muji | Leuchtturm1917 | Staedtler | Lamy | Pentel | Zebra | Rhodia | uni-ball |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 29.8% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 8.8% | 10.3% | 4.6% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.92% |
| Nov 2025 | 28.4% | 11.9% | 14.6% | 8.5% | 9.8% | 6.2% | 6.5% | 4.4% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.88% |
| Dec 2025 | 25.7% | 13.1% | 16% | 8.6% | 8.8% | 5.7% | 8.8% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.79% |
| Jan 2026 | 27.6% | 11.3% | 13.8% | 8.3% | 9.3% | 5.6% | 9.3% | 5.1% | 2.8% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.83% |
| Feb 2026 | 28.2% | 13.8% | 11.3% | 10.2% | 9.3% | 5.1% | 6.2% | 5.1% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 29.8% | 12.5% | 10.3% | 8.8% | 12.5% | 5.8% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 1.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 32.3% | 11.1% | 11.1% | 10.3% | 11.1% | 5.2% | 5% | 4.1% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 1% |
| May 2026 | 29.1% | 11.7% | 11.7% | 10.8% | 11.7% | 5.4% | 5.2% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1% |
| Jun 2026 | 28.9% | 14.5% | 11.9% | 9.9% | 9.7% | 5.5% | 5.3% | 4.4% | 2.9% | 3.6% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.87% |
| Jul 2026 | 26.5% | 16.2% | 10.9% | 11.1% | 8.9% | 5.4% | 6% | 4% | 4% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.98% |
| Aug 2026 | 28.5% | 13.9% | 11.4% | 10.3% | 9.3% | 6.3% | 6.2% | 4.2% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 0.84% |
| Sep 2026 | 28.5% | 17.1% | 11.4% | 9.8% | 9.4% | 5.2% | 5.1% | 4.2% | 2.8% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 0.84% |
How has the Muji and Pentel comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Muji was ahead of Pentel in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Muji’s share of searches among pen and stationery brands worldwide moved from 4.6% to 5.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74.2K to 90.7K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pentel’s share of searches among pen and stationery brands worldwide moved from 3.1% to 2.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 49.5K.
How did search popularity change for pen and stationery brands worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Muji lost share of searches among pen and stationery brands worldwide, from 6.3% to 5.2%.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Muji’s and Pentel’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among pen and stationery brands
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