Standard Paper Sizes in Different Countries and Applications
Summary :
Check from the comparison chart the standard paper size in your country, according to your specific application. Learn also how to print to standard paper size.
Table of Contents
Standard Paper Size
The standard paper size varies by region and application, with the A4 size being the international standard for letterhead and general printing, and the Letter size being the standard in North America for business and academic documents.
Learn about International Standard Paper Sizes (ISO 216), North American Standard Paper Sizes, Envelope Sizes, Special and Large Format Sizes, etc. in detail.
👉 To print PDFs to standard paper sizes, get PDFgear, the best free PDF printer and editor.
Standard Paper Size in Countries
Below you can check the standard paper size in different countries such as The United States, Canada, Japan, China, Philippines, etc.
| Country/Region | Standard Paper Size | Dimensions (inches) | Dimensions (mm) |
| International (ISO A-Series) | A0 | 33.1 x 46.8 | 841 x 1189 |
| A1 | 23.4 x 33.1 | 594 x 841 | |
| A2 | 16.5 x 23.4 | 420 x 594 | |
| A3 (Ledger/Tabloid) | 11.7 x 16.5 | 297 x 420 | |
| A4 (Letter) | 8.3 x 11.7 | 210 x 297 | |
| A5 | 5.8 x 8.3 | 148 x 210 | |
| A6 | 4.1 x 5.8 | 105 x 148 | |
| A7 | 2.9 x 4.1 | 74 x 105 | |
| A8 | 2.0 x 2.9 | 52 x 74 | |
| North America | Letter (ANSI A) | 8.5 x 11 | 216 x 279 |
| Legal | 8.5 x 14 | 216 x 356 | |
| Tabloid (ANSI B) | 11 x 17 | 279 x 432 | |
| Ledger (ANSI B) | 17 x 11 | 432 x 279 | |
| Junior Legal | 5 x 8 | 127 x 203 | |
| Half Letter (Memo, Statement) | 5.5 x 8.5 | 140 x 216 | |
| Government Letter | 8 x 10.5 | 203 x 267 | |
| Government Legal | 8.5 x 13 | 216 x 330 | |
| ANSI C | 17 x 22 | 432 x 559 | |
| ANSI D | 22 x 34 | 559 x 864 | |
| ANSI E | 34 x 44 | 864 x 1118 | |
| Arch A | 9 x 12 | 229 x 305 | |
| Arch B | 12 x 18 | 305 x 457 | |
| Arch C | 18 x 24 | 457 x 610 | |
| Arch D | 24 x 36 | 610 x 914 | |
| Arch E | 36 x 48 | 914 x 1219 | |
| Arch E1 | 30 x 42 | 762 x 1067 |
Common Uses of Standard Paper Size
Below you can check the standard paper size for different purposes such as printing, resumes, application letter, architectural drawings, books, house plans, certificates, etc.
| Series | Size | Dimensions (mm) | Dimensions (in) | Common Uses |
| A | A0 | 841 x 1189 | 33.1 x 46.8 | Posters, Wall Charts |
| A | A1 | 594 x 841 | 23.4 x 33.1 | Posters, Technical Drawings |
| A | A2 | 420 x 594 | 16.5 x 23.4 | Drawings, Diagrams |
| A | A3 | 297 x 420 | 11.7 x 16.5 | Presentations, Large Tables |
| A | A4 | 210 x 297 | 8.3 x 11.7 | Letters, Documents, Magazines |
| A | A5 | 148 x 210 | 5.8 x 8.3 | Notepads, Booklets |
| B | B0 | 1000 x 1414 | 39.4 x 55.7 | Posters, Special Applications |
| B | B1 | 707 x 1000 | 27.8 x 39.4 | Posters, Special Applications |
| B | B2 | 500 x 707 | 19.7 x 27.8 | Posters, Books |
| C | C4 | 229 x 324 | 9.0 x 12.8 | Envelopes for A4 Documents |
| C | C5 | 162 x 229 | 6.4 x 9.0 | Envelopes for A5 Documents |
| C | C6 | 114 x 162 | 4.5 x 6.4 | Envelopes for A4 folded in half |
| ANSI | Letter (ANSI A) | 216 x 279 | 8.5 x 11.0 | Personal and Business Correspondence |
| ANSI | Legal | 216 x 356 | 8.5 x 14.0 | Legal Documents |
| ANSI | Ledger/Tabloid (ANSI B) | 279 x 432 | 11.0 x 17.0 | Newspapers, Maps |
| ARCH | Arch A | 229 x 305 | 9.0 x 12.0 | Architectural Drawings |
| ARCH | Arch B | 305 x 457 | 12.0 x 18.0 | Architectural Drawings |
| ARCH | Arch C | 457 x 610 | 18.0 x 24.0 | Architectural Drawings |
| ARCH | Arch D | 610 x 914 | 24.0 x 36.0 | Architectural Drawings |
| ARCH | Arch E | 914 x 1219 | 36.0 x 48.0 | Architectural Drawings |
How to Print PDF to Standard Paper Size
The popular free PDF editor software provides a costless and effortless virtual PDF printer to print your PDFs into standard paper size.
PDFgear allows you to change PDF page sizes, and even add margins to PDF.
Now see how PDFgear helps to change paper size.
Step 1. Download PDFgear, install it on your device, and launch it.
Step 2. Click the Open File button to import your document.
Click Open File
Step 3. When the PDF is loaded, click the upper-left Print button to go to Printer options.
Click Print in PDFgear
Step 4. Select a desired Printer like Microsoft Print to PDF, go to PaperSize, and choose a preferred standard paper size like Letter, Tabloid, Legal, A4, etc.
Choose Standard Size
Step 5. When ready, click Print to print your PDF to standard paper size.
What is Standard Paper Size
Standard paper size refers to various dimensions of paper commonly used for writing, stationery, cards, and printed documents, depending on the region and the context of use.
There are two predominant systems for standard paper sizes: the international system and the North American system.
International Standard Paper Sizes (ISO 216)
The international standard for paper sizes is defined by ISO 216, which is based on the German DIN 476 standard. This system is used worldwide, except in North America and parts of Central and South America.
The ISO 216 standard employs an aspect ratio of the square root of two (approximately 1:1.41421), which allows for consistency when scaling between sizes in the same series.
The most widely used series within ISO 216 is the A series, with A4 being the most popular size. The A series consists of 11 sizes, ranging from A0 to A10. The dimensions of A4, for example, are 210 x 297 millimeters (8.27 x 11.69 inches).
North American Standard Paper Sizes
In the USA and Canada, the standard paper sizes are based on traditional formats with arbitrary aspect ratios. The most common sizes are:
- Letter: 8.5 x 11 inches (216 x 279 millimeters)
- Legal: 8.5 x 14 inches (216 x 356 millimeters)
- Tabloid: 11 x 17 inches (279 x 432 millimeters)
These sizes are widely used for business, academic, legal documents, and newspapers.
Envelope Sizes
The international standard for envelopes is the C series of ISO 269, which complements the A series paper sizes. For example, a C4 envelope can accommodate an A4 sheet without folding, and a DL envelope can hold an A4 sheet folded in thirds or an A5 sheet folded in half lengthwise.
Special and Large Format Sizes
In addition to the standard sizes, there are also special and large format sizes for various applications, such as label printing and architectural drawings. For instance, the BiBatchConverter supports 177 predefined paper sizes, including large format sizes and special sizes for label printers like Avery labels.
FAQs
What is the standard paper size in the United States?
The standard paper sizes in the United States include Letter (8.5 × 11 inches), Legal (8.5 × 14 inches), and Tabloid (11 × 17 inches).
What is the difference between A4 and Letter size paper?
A4 paper, part of the ISO 216 standard, measures 210 x 297 mm (approximately 8.25 x 11.75 inches), while the US Letter size measures 8.5 x 11 inches. A4 is slightly narrower and longer than Letter size.
Which paper size is used for standard business cards in North America?
The standard size for business cards in North America is 3.5 inches by 2 inches (85.6 mm by 53.98 mm).
What are the dimensions of A0 paper size?
A0 paper size, the largest in the A series, measures 841mm x 1189mm.
How do the dimensions of ANSI paper sizes compare to ISO paper sizes?
ANSI paper sizes, used in North America, include sizes like ANSI A (8.5 in. x 11 in.) and ANSI B (11 in. x 17 in.), which do not directly correspond to ISO A-series sizes due to different dimensioning systems.
