List of paper sizes | Prepressure

Paper sizes

This page lists common paper sizes. All sizes are defined in inches, millimeters as well as PostScript points (always rounded off). These listst cover:

ISO paper sizes (the ever popular A4,… but also SRA press sheet sizes
American paper sizes
English paper sizes

ISO A-sizes

The A-sizes are a logical set of paper sizes. 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. 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
A0	1189	841	46.81	33.11	3370	2384
A2	594	420	23.39	16.54	1684	1190
A4	297	210	11.69	8.27	842	595
A6	148	105	5.83	4.13	420	298

ISO B-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
B0	1414	1000	55.67	39.37	4008	2835
B2	707	500	27.83	19.69.	2004	1417
B4	353	250	13.90	9.84	1001	709
B6	176	125	6.93	4.92	499	354

ISO C-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 millimeters).

	Millimeters		Inches		Points
C2	458	648	18.03	25.51	578	1837
C4	229	324	9.02	12.76	649	919
C6	114	162	4.49	6.38	323	459

ISO D-sizes

I have no idea what D-sizes are used for but the standard is there so it should be mentioned.

	Millimeters		Inches		Points
D0	771	1090	30.35	42.91	2186	3090

ISO RA & SRA sizes

These oversized paper sizes are used by printers. The dimensions in millimeters are rounded to the nearest value.

	Millimeters		Inches		Points
SRA0	900	1280	35.43	50.39	2551	3628
SRA2	450	640	17.72	25.20	1276	1814
SRA4	225	320	8.86?	12.59?	638?	907?
RA1	610	860	24.02	33.86	1729	2438
RA2	430	610	16.93	24.02	1219	1729

American paper sizes

The US rely on the paper sizes below that come with nice names but lack the consistent aspect ratio of the ISO A-series.

	Millimeters		Inches		Points
Letter	279.4	215.9	11.00	8.50	792	612
Ledger	431.8	279.4	17.00	11.00	1224	792
Executive	266.7	184.1	10.55	7.25	756	522

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
Foolscap	419	336	16.50	13.25	1188	954
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
Small medium	558	444	22.00	17.50	1584	1260
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 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
Metric Crown Quarto	246	189	9 11/16	7 7/16	697	536
Metric Large Crown Quarto	258	201	10 3/16	7 7/8	731	570
Metric Demy Quarto	276	219	10 7/8	8 5/8	782	621
Metric Royal Quarto	312	237	12 1/4	9 5/16	884	672

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

Lars, on October 23rd, 2007 at 8:45 pm Said:

Great summary for the “non-initiated” - thanks!

Prof. Brian Bevan, on November 12th, 2007 at 10:48 am Said:

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

George Rivas, on January 2nd, 2008 at 10:28 pm Said:

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.

Laurens, on January 4th, 2008 at 5:28 am Said:

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!

scooter, on January 17th, 2008 at 1:16 am Said:

Whoa… tell me about it! Sounds like a genuine paper expert there. Very helpful none the less. Thanks!!

Alistair, on January 25th, 2008 at 9:29 pm Said:

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.

Ron Spicer, on March 25th, 2008 at 11:24 pm Said:

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.

mona clarke, on April 16th, 2008 at 6:40 pm Said:

Whar are the avery size Crds Ib Greeting cards

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