Paper comes in different sizes. There are names for the different sizes of paper. In different parts of the world, different sizes and names are used.
There are alsoenvelope sizes made to fit different kinds of paper. Envelope sizes are normally wider to fit the paper inside.
In most of the world aninternational system of paper sizes is used. The normal size of paper is calledA4. It is measured inmetric units. It is 210millimetres wide and 297 millimetres long. This is about the size ofUS letter, but it is a little narrower, and a little longer. TheDeutsches Institut für Normung chose this standard in 1922 and other countries soon followed.
The other common size of paper in Europe is calledB5. It is 176 millimetres wide by 250 millimetres long. This is about the same asexecutive size in the United States. It is sometimes used for writing personal letters to people.
There are also many other paper sizes used for writing notes, for bigposters, for books, and for other things.
In the international paper size system, the sizes are based onmathematical formulas.A0 is the biggest at 1 square metre.A1 is half as big asA0.A2 is half as big asA1, and so on. The sizes with "B" and "C" in their name are in between the "A" sizes.
In theUnited States,Mexico andCanada the normal size of paper is calledletter size, or sometimesUS letter. It is8 1⁄2inches wide and 11 inches long (216× 279 mm).
The other common size of paper in the US is calledlegal, or sometimesUS legal. It is also8 1⁄2 inches wide, but it is 14 inches long. It is similar to the size calledfoolscap inBritain.
Another size is calledexecutive. It is7 1⁄4 inches wide by10 1⁄2 inches long. It is not very common. It is sometimes used for writing personalletters to people.
There is also a size calledtabloid. It is 11 inches wide, and 17 inches long. That is the same size as two pieces ofletter size put next to each other.
There are also many other paper sizes used for writing notes, for bigposters, for books, and for other things.
Mostprinters used with computers are designed to fitUS letter andA4, and smaller paper sizes. Sometimes they can fitUS legal also. For larger paper sizes, printers at professional printing businesses may be needed.
Below are charts showing all the different sizes of paper that are usually made, listed in increasing order of size. Dimensions are shown width first, then length.
If a company wants to make something with a different size of paper than these, they have to have it specially cut for them.
| Name | Inches | mm | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statement | 5 1⁄2 ×8 1⁄2 | 140 × 216 | 1.5455 |
| Executive | 7 1⁄4 ×10 1⁄2 | 184 × 267 | 1.4483 |
| Quarto | 8 × 10 | 203 × 254 | 1.25 |
| Government-letter | 8 ×10 1⁄2 | 203 × 267 | 1.3125 |
| ANSI A, Letter | 8 1⁄2 × 11 | 216 × 279 | 1.2941 |
| Foolscap | 8 × 13 | 203 × 330 | 1.625 |
| Legal | 8 1⁄2 × 14 | 216 × 356 | 1.6471 |
| ANSI B, Ledger,Tabloid | 11 × 17 | 279 × 432 | 1.5455 |
| Post | 15 1⁄2 ×19 1⁄4 | 394 × 489 | 1.2419 |
| Crown | 15 × 20 | 381 × 508 | 1.3333 |
| Large post | 16 1⁄2 × 21 | 419 × 533 | 1.2727 |
| ANSI C | 17 × 22 | 432 × 559 | 1.2941 |
| Demy | 17 1⁄2 ×22 1⁄2 | 445 × 572 | 1.2857 |
| Medium | 18 × 23 | 457 × 584 | 1.2778 |
| Royal | 20 × 25 | 508 × 635 | 1.25 |
| ANSI D | 22 × 34 | 559 × 864 | 1.5455 |
| Double demy | 22 1⁄2 × 35 | 572 × 889 | 1.5542 |
| Elephant | 23 × 28 | 584 × 711 | 1.2174 |
| ANSI E | 34 × 44 | 864 × 1,118 | 1.2941 |
| Quad demy | 35 × 45 | 889 × 1,143 | 1.2857 |
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 841 × 1,189 | 1,000 × 1,414 | 917 × 1,297 |
| 1 | 594 × 841 | 707 × 1,000 | 648 × 917 |
| 2 | 420 × 594 | 500 × 707 | 458 × 648 |
| 3 | 297 × 420 | 353 × 500 | 324 × 458 |
| 4 | 210 × 297 | 250 × 353 | 229 × 324 |
| 5 | 148 × 210 | 176 × 250 | 162 × 229 |
| 6 | 105 × 148 | 125 × 176 | 114 × 162 |
| 7 | 74 × 105 | 88 × 125 | 81 × 114 |
| 8 | 52 × 74 | 62 × 88 | 57 × 81 |
| 9 | 37 × 52 | 44 × 62 | 40 × 57 |
| 10 | 26 × 37 | 31 × 44 | 28 × 40 |
This section needs expansion.
