We’re all familiar with A4-sized paper (some of us may even recall Quarto and Foolscap), but what about the other, less common sizes like A1, B2, C5, executive, legal, and government legal?
Here’s an overview of paper sizes commonly used across various industries, listed in both metric and imperial measurements for easy comparison.
Common Paper Sizes
Below are the standard paper sizes in both millimetres (mm) and inches as per the ISO 216 international paper size standard.
A Series Paper Sizes
| Paper Size | Millimetres (mm) | 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 | 2.1 x 2.9 |
B Series Paper Sizes
| Paper Size | Millimetres (mm) | 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 |
C Series Paper Sizes (Mainly for Envelopes)
| Paper Size | Millimetres (mm) | Inches |
|---|---|---|
| C0 | 917 x 1296 | 36.1 x 51.0 |
| 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 |
Other Common Paper Sizes
- Letter: 216 x 280 mm (8.5 x 11 inches)
- Legal: 216 x 356 mm (8.5 x 14 inches)
- Half Letter: 140 x 216 mm (5.5 x 8.5 inches)
- Executive: 184 x 267 mm (7.25 x 10.5 inches)
- Government Legal: 216 x 330 mm (8.5 x 13 inches)
- Government Letter: 203 x 267 mm (8.0 x 10.5 inches)
- F4: 210 x 330 mm (8.27 x 13.0 inches)
- Broadsheet: 457 x 610 mm (18.0 x 24.0 inches)
Where Are These Paper Sizes Used in the UK?
A4
A4 is the most commonly used paper size for official documents, school assignments, letters, and printouts across the UK. It’s the standard paper size for most printers, photocopiers, and business documents. Its popularity in the UK and Europe is based on the international A-series paper standards set by the ISO 216.
A3 and A5 Usage
A3 is often used for designs, plans, diagrams, and larger prints like posters, making it popular among architects, designers, and artists.
A5 is a common size for notebooks, flyers, and small leaflets. It is also frequently used for personal stationery or event invitations.
Legal Paper Size
In the UK, Legal paper is used less frequently than A4, but it’s still common in legal and government documentation. The UK uses a slightly smaller legal paper size (216mm x 356mm) than the American version, which measures 8.5 inches by 14 inches. The difference between the two can cause confusion when working with international clients or jurisdictions.
Government and Official Documents
Government Legal paper (216 x 330mm) is used primarily for documents within the UK government, as well as in some legal paperwork. Similarly, Government Letter paper (203 x 267mm) is used for certain official letters and notices.
UK residents may also come across F4 paper size (210 x 330mm), especially when dealing with certain types of contracts or agreements.
B Series Paper
The B-series is a size of paper primarily used for publications, books, and posters in the UK, as well as for high-quality printing. B5 paper (176 x 250mm) is commonly seen for printing smaller magazines or diaries. On the other hand, larger sizes like B0, B1, and B2 are less commonly seen but are still used for specialised commercial printing purposes, particularly for large publications or advertising posters.
Envelopes and C Series Sizes
The C series is particularly useful for UK residents when dealing with envelopes. C4 envelopes are used for A4-sized documents without folding, making them popular for official correspondences, whereas C5 envelopes are used for A5-sized paper, which is also common for invitations and smaller personal notes.
Broadsheet
Broadsheet paper (457 x 610mm) is commonly used in newspapers, particularly national UK newspapers. It’s less commonly seen in offices but might come into play for publishers or large printing projects.
Why Knowing Paper Sizes Names Matters
Understanding the various paper size names is important for many practical reasons:
- Printing Efficiency: Different paper sizes are needed for different printing tasks. Knowing which size to choose helps in saving time and material costs.
- Legal and Business Documents: Many businesses, especially in the legal industry, require specific paper sizes for their official documentation.
- Creative Projects: Artists, designers, and publishers benefit from knowing which paper sizes to use to showcase their work effectively.
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