Paper sizes
This page lists common American and European paper sizes, including the ISO standards. All dimensions are defined in inches, millimeters as well as PostScript points (always rounded off). This overview covers:
- ISO page sizes (the ever popular A4,… but also SRA press sheet sizes)
- American paper size dimensions, such as ‘Letter’, ‘Legal’ and the ANSI series.
- English sheet sizes for writing paper and book printing
ISO A paper sizes
The A-series consists of a logical set of paper sizes that are defined by the ISO 216 standard. The largest size (A0) measures one square meter. The height/width ratio remains constant (1:1.41) for all sizes. This means you get the A1 size by folding an A0 paper in two along its shortest side. Then fold the A1 size in two to get an A2 size paper, and so on… A-sizes are used to define the finished paper size in commercial printing. A4 is used for office documents. A6 is used for postcards.
|
Millimeters
|
Inches
|
Points
|
||||
|
Height
|
Width
|
Height
|
Width
|
Height
|
Width
|
|
| A0 |
1189
|
841
|
46.81
|
33.11
|
3370
|
2384
|
| A1 |
841
|
594
|
33.11
|
23.39
|
2384
|
1684
|
| A2 |
594
|
420
|
23.39
|
16.54
|
1684
|
1190
|
| A3 |
420
|
297
|
16.54
|
11.69
|
1190
|
842
|
| A4 |
297
|
210
|
11.69
|
8.27
|
842
|
595
|
| A5 |
210
|
148
|
8.27
|
5.83
|
595
|
420
|
| A6 |
148
|
105
|
5.83
|
4.13
|
420
|
298
|
| A7 |
105
|
74
|
4.13
|
2.91
|
298
|
209
|
ISO B paper sizes
The same logic from the A-sizes also applies for the B-series, except here the starting point was the dimension of one of the sides, which starts at 1 meter. B-sizes are often used for posters.
|
Millimeters
|
Inches
|
Points
|
||||
|
Height
|
Width
|
Height
|
Width
|
Height
|
Width
|
|
| B0 |
1414
|
1000
|
55.67
|
39.37
|
4008
|
2835
|
| B1 |
1000
|
707
|
39.37
|
27.83
|
2835
|
2004
|
| B2 |
707
|
500
|
27.83
|
19.69.
|
2004
|
1417
|
| B3 |
500
|
353
|
19.69
|
13.90
|
1417
|
1001
|
| B4 |
353
|
250
|
13.90
|
9.84
|
1001
|
709
|
| B5 |
250
|
176
|
9.84
|
6.93
|
709
|
499
|
| B6 |
176
|
125
|
6.93
|
4.92
|
499
|
354
|
| B7 |
125
|
88
|
4.92
|
3.46
|
354
|
249
|
| B8 |
88
|
62
|
3.46
|
2.44
|
249
|
176
|
| B9 |
62
|
44
|
2.44
|
1.73
|
176
|
125
|
| B10 |
44
|
31
|
1.73
|
1.22
|
125
|
88
|
ISO C paper sizes
C-sizes are used for envelopes to match the A-series paper. I have omitted unrealistic sizes like C0 (imagine an envelope measuring 917 by 1297 millimetres).
|
Millimeters
|
Inches
|
Points
|
||||
|
Height
|
Width
|
Height
|
Width
|
Height
|
Width
|
|
| C2 |
458
|
648
|
18.03
|
25.51
|
578
|
1837
|
| C3 |
324
|
458
|
12.76
|
18.03
|
919
|
578
|
| C4 |
229
|
324
|
9.02
|
12.76
|
649
|
919
|
| C5 |
162
|
229
|
6.38
|
9.02
|
459
|
649
|
| C6 |
114
|
162
|
4.49
|
6.38
|
323
|
459
|
ISO D paper sizes
I have no idea what D-sizes are used for but the standard is there so it should be mentioned.
|
Millimeters
|
Inches
|
Points
|
||||
|
Height
|
Width
|
Height
|
Width
|
Height
|
Width
|
|
| D0 |
771
|
1090
|
30.35
|
42.91
|
2186
|
3090
|
ISO RA & SRA paper sizes
These oversized papersizes are used by printers. The dimensions in millimetres are rounded to the nearest value.
|
Millimeters
|
Inches
|
Points
|
||||
|
Height
|
Width
|
Height
|
Width
|
Height
|
Width
|
|
| SRA0 |
900
|
1280
|
35.43
|
50.39
|
2551
|
3628
|
| SRA1 |
640
|
900
|
25.20
|
35.43
|
1814
|
2551
|
| SRA2 |
450
|
640
|
17.72
|
25.20
|
1276
|
1814
|
| SRA3 |
320
|
450
|
12.59?
|
17.72
|
907?
|
1276
|
| SRA4 |
225
|
320
|
8.86?
|
12.59?
|
638?
|
907?
|
| RA0 |
860
|
1220
|
33.86
|
48.03
|
2438
|
3458
|
| RA1 |
610
|
860
|
24.02
|
33.86
|
1729
|
2438
|
| RA2 |
430
|
610
|
16.93
|
24.02
|
1219
|
1729
|
American paper sizes
The US and Canada do not use the international standards but instead rely on the paper sizes below. The ANSI standard was added in 1995 to create a set of sizes that are based on shared dimensions. It lacks however the consistent aspect ratio of the ISO A-series.
|
Millimeters
|
Inches
|
Points
|
||||
|
Height
|
Width
|
Height
|
Width
|
Height
|
Width
|
|
| Letter (ANSI A) |
279.4
|
215.9
|
11.00
|
8.50
|
792
|
612
|
| Legal |
355.6
|
215.9
|
14.00
|
8.50
|
1008
|
612
|
| Ledger (ANSI B) |
431.8
|
279.4
|
17.00
|
11.00
|
1224
|
792
|
| Tabloid (ANSI B) |
279.4
|
431.8
|
11.00
|
17.00
|
792
|
1224
|
| Executive |
266.7
|
184.1
|
10.55
|
7.25
|
756
|
522
|
| ANSI C |
432
|
559
|
17.00
|
22.00
|
1224
|
1584
|
| ANSI D |
559
|
864
|
22
|
34
|
1584
|
2448
|
| ANSI E |
864
|
1118
|
34.00
|
44.00
|
2448
|
3168
|
English paper sizes (writing papers)
The English nowadays use the A-sizes for office and general use. I have no idea whether many of these definitions are still in use today. Imperial and half-imperial still seem to be widely used by artists.
|
Millimeters
|
Inches
|
Points
|
||||
|
Height
|
Width
|
Height
|
Width
|
Height
|
Width
|
|
| Foolscap |
419
|
336
|
16.50
|
13.25
|
1188
|
954
|
| Small Post |
469
|
368
|
18.50
|
14.50
|
1332
|
1044
|
| Sheet and 1/3 cap |
588
|
336
|
22.00
|
13.25
|
1584
|
954
|
| Sheet and 1/2 cap |
628
|
336
|
24.75
|
13.25
|
1782
|
954
|
| Demy |
507
|
394
|
20.00
|
15.50
|
1440
|
1116
|
| Large Post |
533
|
419
|
21.00
|
16.50
|
1512
|
1188
|
| Small medium |
558
|
444
|
22.00
|
17.50
|
1584
|
1260
|
| Medium |
584
|
457
|
23.00
|
18.00
|
1656
|
1296
|
| Small Royal |
609
|
482
|
24.00
|
19.00
|
1728
|
1368
|
| Royal |
634
|
507
|
25.00
|
20.00
|
1800
|
1440
|
| Imperial |
761
|
559
|
30.00
|
22.00
|
2160
|
1584
|
UK metric book printing sizes
For books A-sizes often aren’t used because A4 is too large and A5 too small. Metric Royal Octavo and Metric Crown Quarto are 2 frequently used sizes that are more comfortable to hold and read.
|
Millimeters
|
Inches
|
Points
|
||||
|
Height
|
Width
|
Height
|
Width
|
Height
|
Width
|
|
| Metric Crown Quarto |
246
|
189
|
9 11/16
|
7 7/16
|
697
|
536
|
| Metric Crown Octavo |
186
|
123
|
7 5/16
|
4 13/16
|
527
|
349
|
| Metric Large Crown Quarto |
258
|
201
|
10 3/16
|
7 7/8
|
731
|
570
|
| Metric Large Crown Octavo |
198
|
129
|
7 13/16
|
5 1/16
|
561
|
366
|
| Metric Demy Quarto |
276
|
219
|
10 7/8
|
8 5/8
|
782
|
621
|
| Metric Demy Octavo |
216
|
138
|
8 1/2
|
5 7/16
|
612
|
391
|
| Metric Royal Quarto |
312
|
237
|
12 1/4
|
9 5/16
|
884
|
672
|
| Metric Royal Octavo |
198
|
129
|
7 13/16
|
5 1/16
|
561
|
366
|
Other sources of information
There are a number of other web sites that list paper sizes and their use. Check them out if you need a second opinion 
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Great summary for the “non-initiated” – thanks!
Hi
The info. provided is very good!
Below is a list of papers to which I need the sizes also please can you supply?
COM10 – Monarch – DL – Folio — mexico-oficio — Brazil-oficio — oficio —
these are the list for a Canon MF 4122 and they do not list the inch or millimetre sizes. Would you please be so kind to help me?
Regards
Brian bevan
I take issue with your flip comment that there is no apparent logic behind US paper sizes. The American Society for Testing and Materials sets these sizes and they are very logical and easy to remember without resorting to references (see below). Some of these sizes have also picked up synonyms such as “letter” which, I would argue, are no more illogical than British terms such as “foolscap”.
A size is the functional equivalent to UK A4 and is 8.5in by 11 inches. As the letters increase the short dimension is doubled. E.g: B size is 17×11 inches (roughly A3 – also called ledger), C size is 17×22 inches, D size is 34×22, and E size (typically a ‘full-size” engineering drawing) is 34×44.
Special paper sizes such as executive, legal, etc. are marketing names developed by stationary companies and immortalized by the print drivers installed on your computer.
I would have expected more research from a professional printing site.
Ouch, I never realized people could be this sensitive about paper sizes. Thanks for the explanation though, which is very informative! I have changed that line of text on the page.
As for this site being a professional site: it isn’t. I see it as my web-enabled notebook. I can only guarantee that visitors get more than what they paid for
… but I acknowledge that this is no excuse for making mistakes.
Again: thanks for the feedback!
Whoa… tell me about it! Sounds like a genuine paper expert there. Very helpful none the less. Thanks!!
While I agree there really is some logic behind the US paper sizes I suggest the gentleman taking umbrage be a little more sensitive to the US approach to ignoring international standards in this and many related areas.
The US continues to use measurement basis that the rest of the world largely abandoned (except for specific special cases) a while ago. Such changes are obviously not trivial for a population to embrace…but people do quickly adapt. His example of foolscap is a case in point, it is an archaic size and very difficult to find in the UK…the ISO A sizes having been adopted years ago.
It is public record that the US was the last major player to accept SI as legal remarkably recently, and remains the last to not require it on packaging and the like.
The US even insists on a different system of maritime navigation marks whilst everyone else not dominated by big brother uses a different internationally agreed approach.
It should therefore be no surprise if the raison d’etre behind the US approach is less than widely understood outside the US.
I am from the UK but have lived and worked in the US for over decade now. I know from personal experience how unnecessary these differences really are…and a little bit of flippancy in the face of such national arrogance seems totally appropriate to me…even if it was unintentional in this case.
I do not mind the size issue US and others. To each there own place and size. But I do mind not have copiers with preprogramed enlarge and reduction setting for standards. The common US are list or the common ISO are listed but why not have ISO to US and US to ISO the V and H ratios could be preset and ready for use.
Whar are the avery size Crds Ib Greeting cards
Thank you for the information found on this site. It has been a big help – I have printed it out and put it next to our copier for the staff to see. Knowing the exact sizes of the various papers is a great help.
Your information is ok. but can get a bit more stuff cause i still did not find wat i was looking for. I was looking for popular paper sizes but didnt get it.
I think it is difficult to list how popular certain paper sizes are. Obviously this depends on the intended usage but there are also big regional differences. Most of Europe sticks to ‘A4′ for letters and general office printing but you won’t find this size much in the US. If anyone has a list, please post a link!
It has taken me 70 years to get curious enough about sizes of paper and envelopes and paper. Your site has fulfilled that curiosity most admirably! Thank you.
WHat is a livre demi-poche? And what size is it?
Thanks
I cannot find a definition for it either. A ‘livre de poche’ is a pocketbook, typically 130×190 mm. ‘Demi-poche’ could be a half-size version but I cannot find any dimensions for it. I’ll ask one of my French colleagues, maybe they know.
hi,
I Work as Programmer in Paper Industry In India at
NemLaxmi Pvt. Ltd. This article proves to be helpful to me while studing different paper sizes while preparing coding of finished product for making every product unique.
Thanks.
Is there a name or number for 6″ x 3.75″ paper, which is a personal check size? I’d like to think my computer/printer has been programmed with that size but I’m not sure what to ask for.
Hi
Great list thanks.
Can you help with paper sizes for music. I believe they are quite different.
Sorry, I have no experience with paper sizes for music.
Hi, I am trying to find out what paper size for a publication that folds over and is (when folded) letter size or 8.5×11? Do you know what software and printers to use for this size paper?
If you want to simply fold a page along the shortest side to end up with a letter size document, you need to use a tabloid size page (11×17″). If it is a more complex folding scheme you are after, such as a gatefold or one or two folding panels, then each panel needs to be smaller to compensate for inaccuracies in folding and cutting. If this isn’t done the edge of the paper will crease when the piece is folded. I think panels that are 1/16″ of an inch less wide is the general recommendation but it is better to consult with your printer.
The regular layout applications like Adobe InDesign, QuarkXpress,… are used for designing folded documents. Typically thin lines in the bleed area indicate where the document should be folded.
Thanks a lot. I found it very useful .Anytime i need help of papersize I refer it.
Prashant
Can anyone help with , L & L2 ? Thanks
The “D0″ is an exact match to the HP plotter that I use.
Any paper with size 6.5in x 9 in.?
thanks so much
Do you have a pdf version of this info..
It’s ok – managed to print it off ok…
Thanks for the useful info..
I have a ledger I purchased in Oxford in 1969 the size of which was described as “elephant folio”.
Does this size still pertain?
Thank you.
i actually wanted to know the names of the various types papers used in printing industry. it seems u dont have the info.
Excellent! Informative and helpful article. Thanks for the useful, well presented and consise info.
Anyone who’s ungratefully pedantic enough to be upset or offended by it, please supply dimensions of the cavity you’d like me to insert the paper into and I’ll duly oblige. American, ISO or English measurements accepted! For some on here, I’ll prepare the A0 heavyweight stock.
Have a nice day!
What a mine of useful information!
Thank you for taking the time to let me have this valuable info. My query was regarding SRA3 which I have had answered admirably, thanks.
It is true then, size is everything, certainly when it relates to paper!
Have a great day!
Tony
Your listings are very helpful as a Brit, expatriated to USA now back in UK again.
I am looking for a UK source for Legal & Letter size hanging files for my US office furniture I brought back. Any ideas?
Thanks, Feebs
Thanks
Your website is really helpful for the architectural students like me.
Thanks once again
It is funny for me to read all this comments and questions about paper sizes.
For me as German the sizes are crystal clear with our DIN A (Deutsche Industrie Norm) now named ISO for international understanding. I fully agree with Alistair about the ignorance of America in that matter.
Sunny regards from Athens, Greece
Juliane
Neat … love the comments too … have a look-see at – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_size – mentions ‘elephant’ size there.
Thanks for informations
Great job.Very useful and helpful for printers
Chris PrintEdge Ltd, Nigeria
Is it possible to have it sent to my email box
Thanks for telling me this we where talking about why the bigger the number the smaller the page size so thanks!
Hi
I am greatfull to you all, since i m working as a print production supervisor.This chart is very much helpfull to me, Thanks to people on NemLaxmi Pvt. Ltd
will you please tell me which type of paper use in laundry dry clinning bill book. what is a quality of paper which goes with keep with cloath as tag to identify customer cloths
dear sir
i am starting a new printing press so i need information reguarding printing pls help me
Hi,
i am an IT admin/supervisor from middleast
it helped me for my thirdparty erp’s
Thanks for Ur Effort
Ur Effort Appreciated
sd/mir shaukat ali
(indian)
Christopher,
If you have not found your answer regarding, “elephant”, I will try to give you one. Elephant is an traditional English Paper & Book size of paper. The basic size is 23″ x 28″ or 584mm x 711cm.
Frank