Paper sizes: A4, letter, A-series and US sizes
A4 is 210 × 297 mm (8.27 × 11.69 in) and US letter is 8.5 × 11 in (215.9 × 279.4 mm). Each A size is half the one before it with the same proportions, from A0 (841 × 1189 mm, one square meter) down to A8. The US and Canada use letter, legal (8.5 × 14 in) and tabloid (11 × 17 in) instead. At 300 ppi, A4 is 2480 × 3508 pixels and letter is 2550 × 3300.
Paper sizes (A4, letter and more): dimensions and pixels
| Size | Inches | Millimeters | Pixels at 300 ppi | Pixels at 150 ppi | Notes and template |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A0 | 33.11 × 46.81 in | 841 × 1189 mm | 9,933 × 14,043 px | 4,967 × 7,022 px | |
| A1 | 23.39 × 33.11 in | 594 × 841 mm | 7,016 × 9,933 px | 3,508 × 4,967 px | |
| A2 | 16.54 × 23.39 in | 420 × 594 mm | 4,961 × 7,016 px | 2,480 × 3,508 px | |
| A3 | 11.69 × 16.54 in | 297 × 420 mm | 3,508 × 4,961 px | 1,754 × 2,480 px | Template |
| A4 | 8.27 × 11.69 in | 210 × 297 mm | 2,480 × 3,508 px | 1,240 × 1,754 px | Template |
| A5 | 5.83 × 8.27 in | 148 × 210 mm | 1,748 × 2,480 px | 874 × 1,240 px | Template |
| A6 | 4.13 × 5.83 in | 105 × 148 mm | 1,240 × 1,748 px | 620 × 874 px | Template |
| A7 | 2.91 × 4.13 in | 74 × 105 mm | 874 × 1,240 px | 437 × 620 px | |
| A8 | 2.05 × 2.91 in | 52 × 74 mm | 614 × 874 px | 307 × 437 px | |
| Letter | 8.5 × 11 in | 215.9 × 279.4 mm | 2,550 × 3,300 px | 1,275 × 1,650 px | Template |
| Legal | 8.5 × 14 in | 215.9 × 355.6 mm | 2,550 × 4,200 px | 1,275 × 2,100 px | Template |
| Tabloid (ledger) | 11 × 17 in | 279.4 × 431.8 mm | 3,300 × 5,100 px | 1,650 × 2,550 px | Template |
| Half letter (statement) | 5.5 × 8.5 in | 139.7 × 215.9 mm | 1,650 × 2,550 px | 825 × 1,275 px | Template |
Why A sizes scale so neatly
ISO 216 defines the A series with a width-to-height ratio of 1 : √2 (about 1 : 1.414). Folding or cutting any A sheet in half gives the next size down with exactly the same shape, so an A4 design enlarges to A3 or reduces to A5 with nothing cropped. US sizes don’t share one shape: letter is 1 : 1.29 and legal 1 : 1.65.
Sending files between countries
A letter-size file printed on A4 is either shrunk to about 97% to fit the width or has its top and bottom cut, and the reverse happens to an A4 file printed on letter. If a document will be printed in both places, keep important content inside 8.27 × 11 in, the area both sheets share, with generous margins. For professional printing, set the file to the exact size the printer will cut.
Questions
- What is A4 size in inches?
- 8.27 × 11.69 in (210 × 297 mm). In pixels, that’s 2480 × 3508 at 300 ppi and 1240 × 1754 at 150 ppi.
- Is letter bigger than A4?
- Letter is wider (8.5 in against 8.27 in) and A4 is taller (11.69 in against 11 in). A4 has the slightly larger area: 623.7 cm² against 603.2 cm².
- What size is A3?
- 297 × 420 mm, or 11.69 × 16.54 in: two A4 sheets side by side. It is close to, but not the same as, US tabloid (11 × 17 in).
- What is tabloid vs ledger?
- The same 11 × 17 in sheet. Tabloid usually means it is used upright (portrait) and ledger means it is turned sideways (17 × 11 in).
If the printer sends the file back
Terms on this page: Trim size, DPI / PPI (resolution), GSM (paper weight), Coated vs uncoated paper.
Work at these sizes: Principles of Design calendar (a self-initiated concept piece).
More print sizes, or all of them on one page:
Cards, paper and stationery: Business card · Postcard · Envelope · 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
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