Paper sizes

This list of the common American and European paper sizes includes the ISO standards, which are used globally. All dimensions are specified in inches, millimeters as well as PostScript points (1/72 inch, always rounded off). This overview covers:

ISO page sizes The ISO A series is the most frequently used page measurement standard. It includes the DIN A4 format. The ISO B sizes are used for poster printing while ISO C is meant for envelopes. The SRA standard defines press sheet sizes and is used in the printing industry. American paper size dimensions such as Letter, Legal and the ANSI series. English sheet sizes with a focus on formats 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 for office documents, A5 is for notepads and A6 is for postcards.

Millimeters Height A0 A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 1189 841 594 420 297 210 148 105 Width 841 594 420 297 210 148 105 74

Inches Height 46.81 33.11 23.39 16.54 11.69 8.27 5.83 4.13 Width 33.11 23.39 16.54 11.69 8.27 5.83 4.13 2.91

Points Height 3370 2384 1684 1190 842 595 420 298 Width 2384 1684 1190 842 595 420 298 209

This drawing illustrates the principle behind the ISO A series:

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 Height B0 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 1414 1000 707 500 353 250 176 125 Width 1000 707 500 353 250 176 125 88

Inches Height 55.67 39.37 27.83 19.69 13.90 9.84 6.93 4.92 Width 39.37 27.83 19.69. 13.90 9.84 6.93 4.92 3.46

Points Height 4008 2835 2004 1417 1001 709 499 354 Width 2835 2004 1417 1001 709 499 354 249

B8 B9 B10

88 62 44

62 44 31

3.46 2.44 1.73

2.44 1.73 1.22

249 176 125

176 125 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 Height C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 458 324 229 162 114 Width 648 458 324 229 162

Inches Height 18.03 12.76 9.02 6.38 4.49 Width 25.51 18.03 12.76 9.02 6.38

Points Height 578 919 649 459 323 Width 1837 578 919 649 459

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 Height D0 771 Width 1090

Inches Height 30.35 Width 42.91

Points Height 2186 Width 3090

ISO RA & SRA paper sizes

These oversized papersizes are used by printers. The dimensions in millimetres are rounded to the nearest value.

Millimeters Height Width

Inches Height Width

Points Height Width

SRA0 SRA1 SRA2 SRA3 SRA4 RA0 RA1 RA2

900 640 450 320 225 860 610 430

1280 900 640 450 320 1220 860 610

35.43 25.20 17.72 12.59? 8.86? 33.86 24.02 16.93

50.39 35.43 25.20 17.72 12.59? 48.03 33.86 24.02

2551 1814 1276 907? 638? 2438 1729 1219

3628 2551 1814 1276 907? 3458 2438 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 Height Letter (ANSI A) Legal Ledger (ANSI B) Tabloid (ANSI B) Executive ANSI C ANSI D ANSI E 279.4 355.6 431.8 279.4 266.7 432 559 864 Width 215.9 215.9 279.4 431.8 184.1 559 864 1118

Inches Height 11.00 14.00 17.00 11.00 10.55 17.00 22 34.00 Width 8.50 8.50 11.00 17.00 7.25 22.00 34 44.00

Points Height 792 1008 1224 792 756 1224 1584 2448 Width 612 612 792 1224 522 1584 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 Height Foolscap Small Post Sheet and 1/3 cap Sheet and 1/2 cap Demy Large Post Small medium Medium Small Royal Royal Imperial 419 469 588 628 507 533 558 584 609 634 761 Width 336 368 336 336 394 419 444 457 482 507 559

Inches Height 16.50 18.50 22.00 24.75 20.00 21.00 22.00 23.00 24.00 25.00 30.00 Width 13.25 14.50 13.25 13.25 15.50 16.50 17.50 18.00 19.00 20.00 22.00

Points Height 1188 1332 1584 1782 1440 1512 1584 1656 1728 1800 2160 Width 954 1044 954 954 1116 1188 1260 1296 1368 1440 1584

UK metric book printing sizes

For books A-sizes often arent 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 Height Width

Inches Height Width

Points Height Width

Metric Crown Quarto Metric Crown Octavo Metric Large Crown Quarto Metric Large Crown Octavo Metric Demy Quarto Metric Demy Octavo Metric Royal Quarto Metric Royal Octavo

246 186 258 198 276 216 312 198

189 123 201 129 219 138 237 129

9 11/16 7 5/16 10 3/16 7 13/16 10 7/8 8 1/2 12 1/4 7 13/16

7 7/16 4 13/16 7 7/8 5 1/16 8 5/8 5 7/16 9 5/16 5 1/16

697 527 731 561 782 612 884 561

536 349 570 366 621 391 672 366