Paper Sizes Reference
A-series, B-series, Letter and Legal sizes with mm, cm and inch conversions, plus print margin guidelines.
| Size | mm | cm | inch | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
A0 | 841 × 1189 | 84.1 × 118.9 | 33.11 × 46.81 | |
A1 | 594 × 841 | 59.4 × 84.1 | 23.39 × 33.11 | |
A2 | 420 × 594 | 42.0 × 59.4 | 16.54 × 23.39 | |
A3 | 297 × 420 | 29.7 × 42.0 | 11.69 × 16.54 | |
A4Global standard | 210 × 297 | 21.0 × 29.7 | 8.27 × 11.69 | |
A5 | 148 × 210 | 14.8 × 21.0 | 5.83 × 8.27 | |
A6 | 105 × 148 | 10.5 × 14.8 | 4.13 × 5.83 | |
A7 | 74 × 105 | 7.4 × 10.5 | 2.91 × 4.13 | |
A8 | 52 × 74 | 5.2 × 7.4 | 2.05 × 2.91 |
A0
841 × 1189 mm
Base of the A-series with an area of exactly 1 m².
A1
594 × 841 mm
Two A1 sheets make one A0. Half the area of A0.
A2
420 × 594 mm
Half the area of A1.
A3
297 × 420 mm
Twice the area of A4. Common for spreads and small posters.
A4
210 × 297 mm
The world's most common paper size, standard for business documents.
A5
148 × 210 mm
Half the area of A4.
A6
105 × 148 mm
Quarter the area of A4. Standard postcard size.
A7
74 × 105 mm
Half the area of A6.
A8
52 × 74 mm
Half the area of A7. Roughly a business-card footprint.
If a rectangle with ratio √2 ≈ 1.4142 is cut in half, both halves keep the same ratio.
That makes scaling between sizes exact: an A4 enlarged to A3 needs ~141% scaling (√2), never distortion.
A0 is defined as 1 m², which fixes A0 at 841 × 1189 mm and locks every other size.
Letter is wider than A4 but shorter; Legal adds 6 in of length.
The A-series was standardized as DIN 476 in Germany in 1922, later adopted as ISO 216.
US Letter is used mainly in the US, Canada, Mexico and the Philippines; A4 everywhere else.
Two A4 pages side by side equal one A3. Two A5 pages equal one A4 — handy for booklets.
Print Margin Guidelines
Margins shown in the selected unit (mm). Keep critical content inside the safe area so printers never clip it.
| Preset | Top / Bottom | Left / Right |
|---|---|---|
Normal Everyday documents and letters (Word default) | 25 mm(25.4 mm) | 25 mm(25.4 mm) |
Narrow Fitting maximum content on one page Close to many printers' physical limits | 13 mm(12.7 mm) | 13 mm(12.7 mm) |
Moderate Balanced look for reports and essays | 25 mm(25.4 mm) | 19 mm(19.05 mm) |
Wide Academic manuscripts and review copies | 25 mm(25.4 mm) | 51 mm(50.8 mm) |
Mirrored (book) Double-sided printing for binding Inner (gutter) margin 31.75 mm, outer 25.4 mm | 25 mm(25.4 mm) | 32 mm(31.75 mm) |
Typical desktop printer
Most inkjets and lasers cannot print within ~5 mm (0.2 in) of the edge.
Common laser minimum
Many office laser printers require at least 6.35 mm (0.25 in).
Borderless photo printing
Supported on photo printers; the image is slightly over-printed and trimmed.
Full-bleed commercial print
Extend artwork 3 mm past the trim edge; final product is cut to size.
Rule of thumb
For home printers keep text at least 6.35 mm (0.25 in) from every edge. For designs printed commercially and trimmed, add a 3 mm bleed beyond the final trim size.
ISO 216 (A & B series)
International standard used almost everywhere except North America. B sizes sit between A sizes and are common for envelopes, books and posters.
North American sizes
Letter (8.5 × 11 in) and Legal (8.5 × 14 in) dominate in the US and Canada. Letter is not a clean conversion of A4 — always check documents meant for both regions.
Handy conversions
- 1 inch = 25.4 mm (exact)
- A4 = 210 × 297 mm = 8.27 × 11.69 in
- Letter = 215.9 × 279.4 mm = 8.5 × 11 in
- Legal = 215.9 × 355.6 mm = 8.5 × 14 in