Paper Size Details: Comparison of North American Standard Paper Sizes and International Paper Sizes

Paper Size Explained

Paper sizes are a common standard in our daily lives, especially in printing, document creation, and various office activities. However, many people may not fully understand the meaning of different paper sizes and their uses. Understanding paper sizes is crucial for ensuring accuracy in tasks such as printing, document binding, and file storage. This article will explain the common paper sizes to help you better understand and choose the right paper for your needs.

1. International Paper Size Standards (ISO 216)

The most commonly used international paper size standard is ISO 216, which includes the A, B, and C series. This standard is widely used around the world, especially in Europe, Asia, and other regions.

A Series Paper Sizes

The A series is the most common standard, especially in office and printing applications. Its characteristic is a length-to-width ratio of 1:√2 (approximately 1:1.414). The A series paper sizes start from A0, and as the numbers increase, the paper sizes decrease. Common A series paper sizes include:

• Dimensions	Dimensions (mm)	Dimensions (inches)
  A0	841 x 1189	33.1 x 46.8
  A1	594 x 841	23.4 x 33.1
  A2	420 x 594	16.5 x 23.4
  A3	297 x 420	11.7 x 16.5
  A4	210 x 297	8.3 x 11.7
  A5	148 x 210	5.8 x 8.3
  A6	105 x 148	4.1 x 5.8
  A7	74 x 105	2.9 x 4.1
  A8	52 x 74	2.0 x 2.9
  A9	37 x 52	1.5 x 2.0
  A10	26 x 37	1.0 x 1.5

In the A series, each paper size is half the area of the previous size. For example, A4 is half the size of A3, and A5 is half the size of A4.

B Series Paper Sizes

The B series is mainly used for specific applications such as large ads, posters, and certain file storage. Although the B series paper sizes are less commonly used than the A series, they provide more size options. The B series is not as universally adopted as the A series, but it still offers suitable options based on needs. Common B series paper sizes include:

Dimensions	Dimensions (mm)	Dimensions (inches)
B0	1000 x 1414	39.4 x 55.7
B1	707 x 1000	27.8 x 39.4
B2	500 x 707	19.7 x 27.8
B3	353 x 500	13.9 x 19.7
B4	250 x 353	9.8 x 13.9
B5	176 x 250	6.9 x 9.8
B6	125 x 176	4.9 x 6.9
B7	88 x 125	3.5 x 4.9
B8	62 x 88	2.4 x 3.5
B9	44 x 62	1.7 x 2.4
B10	31 x 44	1.2 x 1.7

C Series Paper Sizes

C series paper sizes are commonly used for envelopes, with sizes closely related to the A and B series. C series paper sizes are designed to accommodate A series paper sizes in envelopes. Common C series paper sizes include:

Dimensions	Dimensions (mm)	Dimensions (inches)
C0	917 x 1297	36.1 x 51.1
C1	648 x 917	25.5 x 36.1
C2	458 x 648	18.0 x 25.5
C3	324 x 458	12.8 x 18.0
C4	229 x 324	9.0 x 12.8
C5	162 x 229	6.4 x 9.0
C6	114 x 162	4.5 x 6.4
C7	81 x 114	3.2 x 4.5
C8	57 x 81	2.2 x 3.2
C9	40 x 57	1.6 x 2.2
C10	28 x 40	1.1 x 1.6

2. U.S. Paper Size Standards (ANSI and U.S. Letter Size)

In the United States and Canada, paper size standards differ slightly from international standards. The most common paper sizes are the U.S. Letter size and ANSI standards.

U.S. Letter Size Paper

Dimensions	Dimensions (mm)	Dimensions (inches)
letter	216 x 279	8.5 x 11.0
Legal	216 x 356	8.5 x 14.0
Account Books / Tabloid	279 x 432	11.0 x 17.0

 

ANSI Paper Sizes

ANSI (American National Standards Institute) paper sizes are used for engineering drawings and architectural designs. Common ANSI paper sizes include:

• A Series: 8.5 x 11 inches (same as U.S. Letter size)

• B Series: 11 x 17 inches (same as U.S. Tabloid size)

• C Series: 17 x 22 inches

• D Series: 22 x 34 inches

• E Series: 34 x 44 inches

3. How to Choose the Right Paper Size?

Choosing the right paper size depends on your specific needs. Here are some common uses and the appropriate paper sizes for each:

• Daily office and printing tasks: A4 (210 x 297 mm) is the most commonly used paper size for most office documents.

• Large ads and posters: You can choose A3 (297 x 420 mm), A2 (420 x 594 mm), or larger B series sizes.

• Envelopes and mail: C series paper sizes (e.g., C4, C5, C6) are ideal for creating envelopes that can accommodate various paper sizes.

• Engineering drawings and architectural designs: ANSI B (11 x 17 inches), ANSI D (22 x 34 inches), and larger sizes can be used for detailed drawings or design documents.