When it comes to printing projects, selecting the correct paper size is crucial for achieving the desired outcome. Whether you’re creating brochures, stationery, flyers, or digital documents, understanding the different paper size standards will ensure your printed materials are perfectly sized and professional. Globally, two primary paper size systems are prevalent: the international ISO standard and the North American standard. This guide provides a detailed comparison of these standards and their dimensions to help you choose the right size for your needs.
ISO Standard Paper Sizes: A and B Series
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) paper sizes are a globally recognized system, particularly dominant outside of North America. The ISO 216 standard defines the ‘A’ and ‘B’ series, based on a consistent ratio of width to height, making scaling and resizing straightforward.
ISO A Series Sizes
The A series is commonly used for general printing purposes, with A4 being the most frequently encountered size for letters, documents, and magazines. The beauty of the A series lies in its logical progression: each size is exactly half the size of the previous one when you cut it in half along the longer side.
| A4 is slightly narrower and a bit longer than North American Letter size paper. | ISO A Sizes |
|---|---|
| A0: 841 mm x 1,189 mm (33.11 in x 46.81 in) A1: 594 mm x 841 mm (23.39 in x 33.11 in) A2: 420 mm x 594 mm (16.54 in x 23.39 in) A3: 297 mm x 420 mm (11.69 in x 16.54 in) A4: 210 mm x 297 mm (8.27 in x 11.69 in) A5: 148 mm x 210 mm (5.83 in x 8.27 in) A6: 105 mm x 148 mm (4.13 in x 5.83 in) A7: 74 mm x 105 mm (2.91 in x 4.13 in) |
ISO B Series Sizes
The B series paper sizes are less common than the A series but still part of the ISO standard. They are often used for posters, larger format printing, and items where a size between two A series sizes is needed. Like the A series, the B series also maintains a consistent aspect ratio.
| **** | ISO B Sizes |
|---|---|
| B0: 1,028 mm x 1,456 mm (40.48 in x 57.32 in) B1: 707 mm x 1,000 mm (28.66 in x 40.48 in) B2: 514 mm x 728 mm (20.24 in x 28.66 in) B3: 364 mm x 514 mm (14.33 in x 20.24 in) B4: 257 mm x 364 mm (10.12 in x 14.33 in) B5: 182 mm x 257 mm (7.17 in x 10.12 in) B6: 128 mm x 182 mm (5.04 in x 7.17 in) |
North American Paper Sizes: ANSI and ARCH
In North America, different paper size standards are used, including ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and ARCH (Architectural) sizes. These systems have different dimensions compared to ISO standards and are important to understand for printing within North America.
ANSI Standard Sizes
The ANSI standard defines a range of paper sizes designated by letters, starting with ANSI A, which is the equivalent of the common “Letter” size. ANSI sizes are often used for standard documents, reports, and general office printing.
| N. American ANSI Sizes | |
|---|---|
| ANSI A: 8.5 in x 11 in (215.9 mm x 279.4 mm) ANSI B: 11 in x 17 in (279.4 mm x 431.8 mm) ANSI C: 17 in x 22 in (432 mm x 559 mm) ANSI D: 22 in x 34 in (559 mm x 864 mm) ANSI E: 34 in x 44 in (1118 mm x 864 mm) |
ARCH Standard Sizes
ARCH sizes, as the name suggests, are primarily used in architectural and construction drawings. These sizes are designed to accommodate larger scale drawings and plans, and they differ from both ISO and ANSI standard sizes.
| **** | N. American ARCH Sizes |
|---|---|
| Arch A: 9 in x 12 in (229 mm x 305 mm) Arch B: 12 in x 18 in (305 mm x 457 mm) Arch C: 18 in x 24 in (457 mm x 610 mm) Arch D: 24 in x 36 in (610 mm x 914 mm) Arch E: 36 in x 48 in (1914 mm x 1219 mm) |
Detailed Paper Size Charts: North American and ISO Metric
For quick reference, the following tables provide a comprehensive list of common paper sizes in both North American and ISO metric standards, including business card sizes.
North American Paper Sizes (Imperial and Metric)
| SIZE | WIDTH (in.) | HEIGHT (in.) | WIDTH (mm) | HEIGHT (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Card | 3.5 in | 2 in | 85.6 mm | 53.98 mm |
| Executive | 7.5 in | 10 in | 190.5 mm | 254 mm |
| Jr. Legal | 8 in | 5 in | 203.2 mm | 127 mm |
| Letter/ANSI A | 8.5 in | 11 in | 215.9 mm | 279.4 mm |
| Legal | 8.5 in | 14 in | 215.9 mm | 355.6 mm |
| Ledger/Tabloid/ANSI B | 11 in | 17 in | 279.4 mm | 431.8 mm |
| ANSI C | 17 in | 22 in | 432 mm | 559 mm |
| ANSI D | 22 in | 34 in | 559 mm | 864 mm |
| ANSI E | 34 in | 44 in | 864 mm | 1118 mm |
| Arch A | 9 in | 12 in | 229 mm | 305 mm |
| Arch B | 12 in | 18 in | 305 mm | 457 mm |
| Arch C | 18 in | 24 in | 457 mm | 610 mm |
| Arch D | 24 in | 36 in | 610 mm | 914 mm |
| Arch E | 36 in | 48 in | 1914 mm | 1219 mm |
| Arch E1 | 30 in | 42 in | 762 mm | 1067 mm |
| Arch E2 | 26 in | 38 in | 660 mm | 965 mm |
| Arch E3 | 27 in | 39 in | 686 mm | 991 mm |
ISO Metric Paper Sizes (Metric and Imperial)
| SIZE | WIDTH (mm) | HEIGHT (mm) | WIDTH (in.) | HEIGHT (in.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Int’l Business Card | 85.6 mm | 53.98 mm | 3.37 in | 2.125 in |
| Japanese Business Card | 91 mm | 55 mm | 3.583 in | 2.165 in |
| Hungarian Business Card | 90 mm | 50 mm | 3.543 in | 1.969 in |
| A0 | 841 mm | 1,189 mm | 33.11 in | 46.81 in |
| A1 | 594 mm | 841 mm | 23.39 in | 33.11 in |
| A2 | 420 mm | 594 mm | 16.54 in | 23.39 in |
| A3 | 297 mm | 420 mm | 11.69 in | 16.54 in |
| A4 | 210 mm | 297 mm | 8.27 in | 11.69 in |
| A5 | 148 mm | 210 mm | 5.83 in | 8.27 in |
| A6 | 105 mm | 148 mm | 4.13 in | 5.83 in |
| A7 | 74 mm | 105 mm | 2.91 in | 4.13 in |
| B0 | 1,028 mm | 1,456 mm | 40.48 in | 57.32 in |
| B1 | 707 mm | 1,000 mm | 28.66 in | 40.48 in |
| B2 | 514 mm | 728 mm | 20.24 in | 28.66 in |
| B3 | 364 mm | 514 mm | 14.33 in | 20.24 in |
| B4 | 257 mm | 364 mm | 10.12 in | 14.33 in |
| B5 | 182 mm | 257 mm | 7.17 in | 10.12 in |
| B6 | 128 mm | 182 mm | 5.04 in | 7.17 in |
Need assistance selecting the perfect paper size for your printing project? Contact our expert team at 410-844-8096 for personalized guidance and support with all your printing needs.
