Understanding Printer Page Dimensions is crucial for ensuring your printed materials come out exactly as intended. Whether you’re printing documents at home, designing marketing brochures, or preparing architectural drawings, knowing the standard paper sizes will save you time and resources. This guide breaks down the most common paper size standards used globally: the ISO standard and the North American standard, providing you with a clear comparison and detailed dimensions.
ISO Standard Paper Sizes: Metric Precision
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 216 standard is the globally recognized system for paper sizes, widely used across most of the world. It’s based on a logical system where each size is derived from the previous one by halving the longer side. The most familiar size in this series is A4. The ISO standard includes A and B series sizes, each designed for different purposes. The ‘A’ series is primarily used for general printing and stationery, while the ‘B’ series is used for posters and larger format printing.
| 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) |
|—|—|
The ISO ‘B’ series paper sizes offer dimensions that are geometrically between the ‘A’ series sizes. This makes them useful for applications where ‘A’ sizes are too small but the next size up is too large. B sizes are often used for books, posters and envelopes.
| ** | 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: Inches and Tradition
In North America, paper sizes are based on inches and have different origins rooted in historical practices. The most common sizes are defined by ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and ARCH (Architectural) standards. ANSI sizes, including the familiar Letter and Legal sizes, are used for general documents and office printing. ARCH sizes are specifically designed for architectural and engineering drawings, providing larger formats to accommodate detailed plans.
| | N. American ANSI Sizes
ANSI A (Letter): 8.5 in x 11 in (215.9 mm x 279.4 mm)
ANSI B (Ledger/Tabloid): 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 (864 mm x 1118 mm) |
|—|—|
ARCH paper sizes are designed with proportions different from ANSI, often preferred in architecture and design fields for their dimensions that better suit layouts and scaling.
| ** | 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 (914 mm x 1219 mm) |
|—|—|
Quick Comparison and Key Differences
The most notable difference lies in the base units: metric for ISO and inches for North American standards. While A4 and Letter are often considered comparable, A4 is slightly narrower and taller than Letter. This difference can be important when designing layouts that need to be printed in different regions. Understanding these printer page dimensions ensures compatibility and prevents unexpected cropping or scaling issues.
For a more detailed look, the tables below provide a comprehensive list of various North American and ISO metric paper sizes, including business card dimensions and less common sizes.
North America Paper Sizes Dimensions
| 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 | 914 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 Dimensions
| 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 Help Picking the Right Paper Size?
Choosing the correct paper size depends on your specific printing needs and regional standards. If you’re still unsure which size is best for your project, our team at amazingprint.net is here to assist. Give us a call at 410-844-8096, and let our experts guide you through your printing needs.
