Everything you need to know about print formats
A4-sheet, A3-sheet, A5-sheet... You probably know these print formats, but do you also know their dimensions? Although A4 remains the most popular print format, it is not the only one! Focus on the different print formats.
Formats of printing paper
To understand the names of the print formats and recognise them at a glance, just compare them. You will notice that the width of one format becomes the length of the next. Why is that? Simply because the A format is based on the principle of homothetics: their proportions are maintained when the longest side of the sheet is folded.
For your information, this logic formed the basis for the DIN (Deutsche Industrienorm) standard, which in turn formed the basis for the 1975 international ISO 216 standard. This standard is now valid in most countries of the world (with the exception of the USA and Canada).
A0 format: 841 x 1189 mm
or 84,1 x 118,9 cm
An A0 sheet has a
surface area of 1m²
A1 format: 594 x 841 mm
or 59,4 x 84,1 cm
A2 format: 420 x 594 mm
or 42 x 59,4 cm
A3 format: 297 x 420 mm
or 29,7 x 42 cm
A4 format: 210 x 297 mm
or 21 x 29,7 cm
A5 format: 148 x 210 mm
or 14,8 x 21 cm
A6 format: 105 x 148 mm
or 10,5 x 14,8 cm
A7 paper format: 74 x 105 mm
or 7,4 x 10,5 cm
A8 paper format: 52 x 74 mm
or 5,2 x 7,4 cm
A9 format: 37 x 52 mm
or 3,7 x 5,2 cm
A10 format: 26 x 37 mm
or 2,6 x 3,7 cm
A4 paper size: the standard print size
An A4 sheet is as big as two A5 sheets next to each other.
- A4 size: 210 x 297 mm or 21 x 29.7 cm
- Use: letters, posters, menus, notepads, folders, etc.
The A4 format is the most widely used document printing format in the world. It is THE reference in the field of printing and even more so in the office world. Just look at the sizes of binders, elastic folders, notebooks, covers, printers, etc. The vast majority of supplies and printers are designed for A4 sheets, and if you look at the most popular roll size, A4 is once again the champion for business documents.
A3 paper format: the large format
An A3 sheet has the same size as two A4 sheets side by side.
- A3 format: 420 x 297 mm or 42 x 29.7 cm
- Use: large format display, A4 booklet (when folded in half), advertising, drawings and plans, printing of large Excel tables...
The A3 format is popular with companies for two reasons. The first reason is that an A3 sheet folded in half makes it easy to create an A4 booklet with several pages. The second reason is that many office printers, copiers and scanners support A3. The A3 format offers greater freedom of use for professionals. This means that the A3 sheet is increasingly becoming a must-have for the office.
A5 format: the flyer format
An A5 sheet has the same size as two A6 sheets side by side.
- A5 format: 148 x 210 mm or 14.8 x 21 cm
- Use: greeting cards, advertising flyers, leaflets, invitations, etc.
Among the most widely used paper formats in business, we should not forget the A5 paper format. Thanks to its small (but not too small!) size, A5 paper is perfect for making flyers, folders or small books. The A5 size is easily obtained by folding or cutting an A4 sheet in half. On the print side, most A4 printers support the A5 size, but for convenience it is common to print two A5s on one A4 sheet and then separate the documents with a paper cutter.