Envelope sizes: #10, A7, DL, C5 and what fits in each
The standard US business envelope is the #10, 4.125 × 9.5 in, which holds a letter sheet folded in three. Cards and invitations use A-style envelopes: A2 (4.375 × 5.75 in) for 4.25 × 5.5 in cards and A7 (5.25 × 7.25 in) for 5 × 7 cards. In ISO countries, DL (110 × 220 mm) holds an A4 sheet folded in three, C5 (162 × 229 mm) an A4 folded once, and C4 (229 × 324 mm) a flat A4.
Envelope sizes: dimensions and pixels
| Envelope | Inches | Millimeters | Pixels at 300 ppi | Notes and template |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #10 business | 4.125 × 9.5 in | 104.77 × 241.3 mm | 1,238 × 2,850 px | Letter folded in three |
| #9 | 3.875 × 8.875 in | 98.42 × 225.42 mm | 1,163 × 2,663 px | Return envelope inside a #10 |
| A2 | 4.375 × 5.75 in | 111.13 × 146.05 mm | 1,313 × 1,725 px | 4.25 × 5.5 in cards |
| A6 | 4.75 × 6.5 in | 120.65 × 165.1 mm | 1,425 × 1,950 px | 4.5 × 6.25 in cards |
| A7 | 5.25 × 7.25 in | 133.35 × 184.15 mm | 1,575 × 2,175 px | 5 × 7 in cards |
| 6 × 9 catalog | 6 × 9 in | 152.4 × 228.6 mm | 1,800 × 2,700 px | Half letter, flat |
| 9 × 12 catalog | 9 × 12 in | 228.6 × 304.8 mm | 2,700 × 3,600 px | Letter, flat |
| 10 × 13 catalog | 10 × 13 in | 254 × 330.2 mm | 3,000 × 3,900 px | Letter, flat, with room |
| DL | 4.33 × 8.66 in | 110 × 220 mm | 1,299 × 2,598 px | A4 folded in three |
| C6 | 4.49 × 6.38 in | 114 × 162 mm | 1,346 × 1,913 px | A6, or A4 folded in four |
| C5 | 6.38 × 9.02 in | 162 × 229 mm | 1,913 × 2,705 px | A5, or A4 folded once |
| C4 | 9.02 × 12.76 in | 229 × 324 mm | 2,705 × 3,827 px | A4, flat |
Printing on envelopes
Most envelopes are printed after they are made, on a press that can’t print to the edge or across the seams. Keep artwork at least 0.25 in from the edges, and leave the flap and the seam areas plain unless the printer says otherwise. A design that covers the whole envelope is printed flat and folded afterwards, which needs the converter’s die template, a minimum order and more time.
For mail in the US, the return address goes top left, postage top right, and the bottom 5/8 in along the right-hand side stays clear for the USPS barcode. Window envelopes vary by maker, so place the address block using your supplier’s window position, not a generic template.
Questions
- What size is a standard envelope?
- In the US, the #10 business envelope, 4.125 × 9.5 in. In the UK and Europe, DL (110 × 220 mm). Both hold a standard sheet folded in three.
- What envelope fits a 5 × 7 card?
- An A7 envelope, 5.25 × 7.25 in, which leaves 1/8 in around the card on each side.
- What envelope fits A4 paper?
- C4 (229 × 324 mm) holds A4 flat, C5 (162 × 229 mm) holds A4 folded once, and DL (110 × 220 mm) holds A4 folded in three.
- Can envelopes be printed full bleed?
- Yes, but not on ready-made envelopes. Full-coverage designs are printed on flat sheets and then cut and folded into envelopes, which needs the maker’s die template and usually a larger minimum order.
If the printer sends the file back
Terms on this page: Safe area (safe zone), Dieline.
More print sizes, or all of them on one page:
Cards, paper and stationery: Business card · Postcard · Paper · Letterhead · Greeting card · Presentation folder
Flyers, brochures and handouts: Flyer · Brochure · Rack card · Door hanger · Menu · Table tent · Bookmark
Stickers, labels and tags: Sticker · Label · Hang tag
Bottle, can and jar labels: Wine label · Beer label · Water bottle label · Candle label · Jar label
Boxes and packaging: Mailer box · Shipping box · Tuck box · Stand-up pouch · Pizza box
Posters, books and calendars: Poster · Book · Calendar
Signs, billboards and vehicles: Banner · Yard sign · Car magnet · Billboard
T-shirts and apparel: T-shirt
Rather have it designed at the right size? See business cards & stationery: a fixed price first, print-ready files back.
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