Standard Printer Paper Sizes and Dimensions Complete Guide.
Printing is an essential aspect of our daily routine, from office paperwork to personal printing needs. However, choosing the right paper size for your printing task can sometimes be a daunting task. Standard printer paper sizes vary depending on the region and application, and understanding these sizes can help you make an informed decision when printing. In this article, we will explore the various standard paper sizes and their uses.
Understanding Paper Size Standards
Before diving into the various paper sizes, it is essential to understand the paper size standards. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) developed the ISO 216 standard for paper sizes in 1975. This standard includes A, B, and C series paper sizes. The A series includes the most common paper sizes and is widely used in various applications, including printing.
A Series Paper Sizes
The A series paper sizes are the most commonly used paper sizes globally. These sizes range from A0 to A10, with A0 being the largest size and A10 being the smallest. The dimensions of these sizes increase by a factor of 2 for each size. For instance, A1 is half the size of A0, A2 is half the size of A1, and so on.
The most commonly used A-size paper is A4, which measures 210mm x 297mm or 8.27 inches x 11.69 inches. This size is commonly used for printing documents, resumes, brochures, and other general printing needs. A5, A6, and A7 sizes are also widely used for flyers, postcards, and invitations, respectively. ( A series of paper sizes have an aspect ratio of 1:√2 which is approximately 1:1.41421 ).
Standard Printer Paper Size of A- series
| Paper | Size W x H ( mm ) | Size W x H ( cm ) | Size W x H ( inches ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 X 1189 | 84.1 X 118.9 | 33.11 X 46.8 |
| A1 | 594 X 841 | 59.4 X 84.1 | 23.4 X 33.11 |
| A2 | 420 X 594 | 42.0 X 59.4 | 16.5 X 23.4 |
| A3 | 297 X 420 | 29.7 X 42.0 | 11.7 X 16.5 |
| A4 | 210 X 297 | 21.0 X 29.7 | 8.3 X 11.7 |
| A5 | 148.5 X 210 | 14.85 X 21.0 | 5.8 X 8.3 |
| A6 | 105 X 148.5 | 10.5 X 14.85 | 4.1 X 5.8 |
| A7 | 74 X 105 | 7.4 X 10.5 | 2.9 X 4.1 |
| A8 | 52 X 74 | 5.2 X 7.4 | 2.0 X 2.9 |
| A9 | 37 X 52 | 3.7 X 5.2 | 1.5 X 2.0 |
| A10 | 26 X 37 | 2.6 X 3.7 | 1.0 X 1.5 |
B Series Paper Sizes
B series paper sizes are less commonly used than A series paper sizes. These sizes range from B0 to B10, with B0 being the largest and B10 being the smallest. The dimensions of these sizes are also determined by the ISO 216 standard, but they have a different aspect ratio than A series paper sizes.
The most commonly used B-size paper is B5, which measures 176mm x 250mm or 6.93 inches x 9.84 inches. B5 paper is often used for booklets, manuals, and catalogs.
| Paper | Size W x H ( mm ) | Size W x H ( cm ) | Size W x H ( inches ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| B0 | 1000 X 1410 | 100 X 141 | 39.37 X 55.51 |
| B1 | 707 X 1000 | 70.7 X 100 | 27.83 X 39.37 |
| B2 | 500 X 710 | 50 X 71 | 19.69 X 27.95 |
| B3 | 353 X 500 | 35.3 X 50 | 13.9 X 19.69 |
| B4 | 250 X 353 | 25 X 35.3 | 9.84 X 13.9 |
| B5 | 176 X 250 | 17.6 X 25 | 6.93 X 9.84 |
| B6 | 125 X 176 | 12.5 X 17.6 | 4.92 X 6.93 |
| B7 | 88 X 125 | 8.8 X 12.5 | 3.46 X 4.92 |
| B8 | 62 X 88 | 6.2 X 8.8 | 2.44 X 3.46 |
| B9 | 44 X 62 | 4.4 X 6.2 | 1.73 X 2.44 |
| B10 | 31 X 40 | 3.1 X 4 | 1.22 X 1.57 |
C Series Paper Sizes
C series paper sizes are used primarily for envelopes and packaging. These sizes range from C0 to C10, with C0 being the largest and C10 being the smallest. The dimensions of these sizes are also determined by the ISO 216 standard, but they have a different aspect ratio than A and B series paper sizes.
The most commonly used C-size paper is C4, which measures 229mm x 324mm or 9.02 inches x 12.76 inches. C4 paper is commonly used for mailing envelopes and packaging.
| Paper | Size W x H ( mm ) | Size W x H ( cm ) | Size W x H ( inches ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C0 | 917 X 1297 | 91.7 X 129.7 | 36.1 X 51.06 |
| C1 | 648 X 917 | 64.8 X 91.7 | 25.51 X 36.1 |
| C2 | 458 X 648 | 45.8 X 64.8 | 18.03 X 25.51 |
| C3 | 324 X 458 | 32.4 X 45.8 | 12.76 X 18.03 |
| C4 | 229 X 324 | 22.9 X 32.4 | 9.02 X 12.76 |
| C5 | 163 X 229 | 16.3 X 22.9 | 6.42 X 9.02 |
| C6 | 114 X 162 | 11.4 X 16.2 | 4.49 X 6.38 |
| C7 | 81 X 114 | 8.1 X 11.4 | 3.19 X 4.49 |
| C8 | 57 X 81 | 5.7 X 8.1 | 2.24 X 3.19 |
| C9 | 40 X 57 | 4.0 X 5.7 | 1.57 X 2.24 |
| C10 | 28 X 40 | 2.8 X 4.0 | 1.1 X 1.57 |
North American Paper Sizes
The North American paper sizes differ from the ISO 216 standard and are commonly used in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The most commonly used paper size in North America is Letter, which measures 8.5 inches x 11 inches. This size is similar to the A4 size used in other regions.
Another common North American paper size is Legal, which measures 8.5 inches x 14 inches. This size is often used for legal documents and contracts.
| Paper | Size W x H ( mm ) | Size W x H ( cm ) | Size W x H ( inches ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half Letter | 139.7 X 215.9 | 13.97 X 21.59 | 5.5 X 8.5 |
| Letter | 215.9 X 279.4 | 21.59 X 27.94 | 8.5 X 11.0 |
| Junior Legal | 127.0 X 203.2 | 12.70 X 20.32 | 5.0 X 8.0 |
| Legal | 215.9 X 355.6 | 21.59 X 35.56 | 8.5 X 14.0 |
| Ledger | 431.8 X 279.4 | 43.18 X 27.94 | 17.0 X 11.0 |
| Tabloid | 279.4 X 431.8 | 27.94 X 43.18 | 11.0 X 17.0 |
| Letter ANSI A | 215.9 X 279.4 | 21.59 X 27.94 | 8.5 X 11.0 |
| Ledger ANSI B | 431.8 X 279.4 | 43.18 X 27.94 | 17.0 X 11.0 |
| Tabloid ANSI B | 279.4 X 431.8 | 27.94 X 43.18 | 11.0 X 17.0 |
| ANSI C | 431.8 X 558.8 | 43.18 X 55.88 | 17.0 X 22.0 |
| ANSI D | 558.8 X 863.6 | 55.88 X 86.36 | 22.0 X 34.0 |
| ANSI E | 863.6 X 1117.6 | 86.36 X 111.76 | 34.0 X 44.0 |
| ARCH A | 228.6 X 304.8 | 22.86 X 30.48 | 9.0 X 12.0 |
| ARCH B | 304.8 X 457.2 | 30.48 X 45.72 | 12.0 X 18.0 |
| ARCH C | 457.2 X 609.6 | 45.72 X 60.96 | 18.0 X 24.0 |
| ARCH D | 609.6 X 914.4 | 60.96 X 91.44 | 24.0 X 36.0 |
| ARCH E | 914.4 X 1219.2 | 91.44 X 121.92 | 36.0 X 48.0 |
| ARCH E1 | 762.0 X 1066.8 | 76.20 X 106.68 | 30.0 X 42.0 |
What is ANSI paper?
ANSI paper sizes are a series of paper sizes used primarily in North America. These sizes are based on the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard, which defines the dimensions of various paper sizes used in the United States and Canada.
What is ARCH paper?
ARCH paper is a series of paper sizes used for architecture, engineering, construction purpose, and also for large format drawings. The ARCH series of paper sizes are based on the Archimedean spiral, which is a curve that grows at a constant rate while expanding outward.
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FAQs: Standard Printer Paper Size
What is the standard size of printer paper in North America?
The standard size of printer paper in North America is Letter, which measures 8.5 inches x 11 inches.
Can I use a different paper size than the standard size for printing?
Yes, you can use a different paper size for printing, but it may affect the quality of the print and may require adjustments to the printer settings.
What is the largest paper size in the ISO 216 standard?
The largest paper size in the ISO 216 standard is A0, which measures 841mm x 1189mm or 33.11 inches x 46.81 inches. The area of A0 size paper is 1m2
Why is it important to select the appropriate paper size for printing?
It is important to select the appropriate paper size for printing to achieve optimal results, including high-quality prints, reduced waste, and increased cost-effectiveness.
Conclusion: Standard Printer Paper Size
Choosing the right paper size for your printing needs is crucial for producing high-quality prints. In this article, we hope the various standard paper sizes, including the A, B, and C series paper sizes and the North American paper sizes, can help you make an informed decision. Always ensure that you select the appropriate paper size for your printing task to achieve optimal results.
