Paper sizes

Here is an overview of some common paper sizes. In PostScript, the size

of pages is always rounded off. I have stuck to this logic in the tables
below. If you find any errors, please mail me!

ISO A-sizes
The A-sizes are a logical set of paper sizes. The largest size (A0)
measures one square meter. The height/width ratio remains constant
(1:1.41) for all sizes. This means you get the A1 size by folding an A0
paper in two. Then fold the A1 size in two to get an A2 size paper, and so
on... A-sizes are used to define the finished paper size in commercial
printing. A4 is used for office documents. A6 is used for postcards.

Millimetres Inches Points
Height Width Height Width Height Width
A0 1189 841 46.81 33.11 3370 2384
A1 841 594 33.11 23.39 2384 1684
A2 594 420 23.39 16.54 1684 1190
A3 420 297 16.54 11.69 1190
A4 297 210 11.69 8.27 842
A5 210 148 8.27 5.83 595
A6 148 105 5.83 4.13 420
A7 105 74 4.13 2.91 298
ISO B-sizes
The same logic from the A-sizes also applies for the B-series, except here
the starting point was the dimension of one of the sides, which starts at 1
meter. B-sizes are often used for posters.

Millimetres Inches Points
Height Width Height Width Height Width
B0 1414 1000 55.67 39.37 4008 2835
B1 1000 707 39.37 27.83 2835 2004
B2 707 500 27.83 19.69. 2004 1417
B3 500 353 19.69 13.90 1417 1001
B4 353 250 13.90 9.84 1001
B5 250 176 9.84 6.93 709
B6 176 125 6.93 4.92 499
B7 125 88 4.92 3.46 354
B8 88 62 3.46 2.44 249
B9 62 44 2.44 1.73 176
B10 44 31 1.73 1.22 125
ISO C-sizes
C-sizes are used for envelopes to match the A-series paper. I have omitted
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unrealistic sizes like C0 (imagine an envelope measuring 917 by 1297
millimetres).
Millimetres Inches Points
Height Width Height Width Height Width
C2 458 648 18.03 25.51 578 1837
C3 324 458 12.76 18.03 919
C4 229 324 9.02 12.76 649
C5 162 229 6.38 9.02 459
C6 114 162 4.49 6.38 323
ISO D-sizes

I have no idea what D-sizes are used for but the standard is there so it
should be mentioned.

Millimetres Inches Points
Height Width Height Width Height Width
D0 771 1090 30.35 42.91 2186 3090
ISO RA & SRA sizes

These oversized papersizes are used by printers. The dimensions in

millimetres are rounded to the nearest value.
Millimetres Inches Points
Height Width Height Width Height Width
SRA0 900 1280 35.43 50.39 2551 3628
SRA1 640 900 25.20 35.43 1814 2551
SRA2 450 640 17.72 25.20 1276 1814
SRA3 320 450 12.59? 17.72 907? 1276
SRA4 225 320 8.86? 12.59? 638? 907?
RA0 860 1220 33.86 48.03 2438 3458
RA1 610 860 24.02 33.86 1729 2438
RA2 430 610 16.93 24.02 1219 1729
American paper sizes

As far as I know, a lot of businesses in the US still rely on the paper sizes
below that come with nice names but no apparent logic behind them. In
England a similar system was used but they have already seen the light
and switched to the A-sizes.

Millimetres Inches Points
Height Width Height Width Height Width
Letter 279.4 215.9 11.00 8.50 792
Legal 355.6 215.9 14.00 8.50 1008
Ledger 431.8 279.4 17.00 11.00 1224
Tabloid 279.4 431.8 11.00 17.00 792 1224
Executive 266.7 184.1 10.55 7.25 756
English paper sizes (writing papers)
I have no idea whether these definitions are still in use today.
Millimetres Inches Points
Height Width Height Width Height Width
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Foolscap 419 336 16.50 13.25 1188
Small Post 469 368 18.50 14.50 1332 1044
Sheet and 1/3 cap 588 336 22.00 13.25 1584
Sheet and 1/2 cap 628 336 24.75 13.25 1782
Demy 507 394 20.00 15.50 1440 1116
Large Post 533 419 21.00 16.50 1512 1188
Small medium 558 444 22.00 17.50 1584 1260
Medium 584 457 23.00 18.00 1656 1296
Small Royal 609 482 24.00 19.00 1728 1368
Royal 634 507 25.00 20.00 1800 1440
Imperial 761 559 30.00 22.00 2160 1584
Other sources of information

There are a number of other web sites that list paper sizes and their use.
Check them out if you need a second opinion :-)
l Navvy
l Twics

2000 L. Leurs back to the top
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