Different paper sizes and their many uses
Paper has so many different uses and there’s a size for every project.
If you work in print or mail marketing or any sort of marketing for that matter, we’d always recommend getting clued up on different paper sizes and formats you’ll potentially encounter.
In this guide we’re going to focus on ‘A’ and ‘B’ paper sizes.
Scroll down for our paper size charts, dimensions and a breakdown of how each paper size is typically used.
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A Paper Sizes
Let’s start with the most globally recognised paper size convention, ‘A’.
Formally adopted in Europe way back in the 19th century, the ‘A’ paper size system has since spread across the world. Aside from the USA and Canada, nearly every country uses this system now and it’s the most common standard business letter size used in English speaking countries.
You only have to glance at your home or office printer and you’ll most likely see A4 paper poking out of it. It’s the paper size most commonly known and used for everyday printing.
But there are many more options available for print within the ‘A’ paper series, which ranges from A0 through to A10.
Our charts below gives you a visual of the different A sizes available but, we’ve also provided a summary on how each paper size tends to be used.
‘A’ PAPER SIZE CHART
A0 paper uses
The largest standardised paper size in the A range, A0 comes in at over 1 metre in height. That’s the equivalent of 16 A4 sheets of paper.
This size is typically used for large signs or posters.
A1 paper uses
Like A0, A1 is typically used for signs, posters and window displays.
A2 paper uses
A2 is used for posters, notices, window displays and art prints.
A3 paper uses
A3 tends to be used for presentations, charts, posters and plans.
A4 paper uses
A4 is the most recognised ‘A’ paper size and is commonly used for everyday printing. A4 tends to be used to print business stationery letterheads.
A5 paper uses
A5 has many uses. This size is a popular choice for diaries & planners, books, invitations, flyers, booklets and more.
A6 paper uses
A6 paper is typically used for postcards, flyers, leaflets and save the dates.
A7 paper uses
A7 tends to be used for large Post-it notes. It can also be practical for tickets, since you can print 8 of them on an A4 sheet.
A8 paper uses
A8 is the most popular size for business cards.
A9 paper uses
A9 tends to be used for vouchers and tickets.
A10 paper uses
Being the smallest of the standardised A sizes, A10 is only ever really used for stamps or small vouchers.
‘B’ Papers Sizes
In addition to ‘A’ sizes, naturally we have, (yes you guessed it) the ‘B’ series. This paper series was introduced to provide a wider range of options.
We’ll mention at this point that there is also a ‘C’ series which is a set of envelope sizes. We’re not going to include the ‘C’ series in this article but we have a handy guide to envelope sizes right here.
The ‘B’ series is that little bit bigger than it’s ‘A’ counterpart. Again, we’ve given a quick overview of how each size is typically used.
‘B’ paper sizes follow the same pattern as ‘A’ with B0 being the largest and dropping in size by half as you go from B0 to B10.
‘B’ PAPER SIZE CHART
B0 paper uses
This size is typically used for posters and enlarged photos.
B1 paper uses
B1 again tends to be used for posters and signs.
B2 paper uses
B2 is perfect for small posters.
B3 paper uses
This size is typically used for smaller posters and paintings.
B4 paper uses
B4 works well for little posters and notes.
B5 paper uses
B5 is a popular choice for menus, magazines and advertising flyers.
B6 paper uses
B6 tends to be used for booklets and flyers.
B7 paper uses
Small notebooks, menus and flyers – B7 is a good choice for these.
B8 paper uses
This size tends to be used for flyers and business cards.
B9 paper uses
One of the smallest B sizes, ideal for labels and small flyers.
B10 paper uses
The smallest B size is mainly used for vouchers and small cards.
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Paper Size Summary
The two tabs below contain all the dimensions for ‘A’ and ‘B’ paper sizes in millimetres, centimetres and inches. There’s also a list of typical uses alonside each paper size.
| ‘A’ Paper Size | Size (mm) | Size (cm) | Size (inches) | Typical Uses |
| A0 | 841 x 1189 | 84.1 x 118.9 | 33.1 x 46.8 |
Posters Wall Notices Art & Design Visuals CAD Drawings Architectural Plans Exhibition Graphics
|
| A1 | 594 x 841 | 59.4 x 84.1 | 23.4 x 33.1 |
Window Displays Posters Wall Notices Art & Design Visuals CAD Drawings Architectural Plans Exhibition Graphics
|
| A2 | 420 x 594 | 42 x 59.4 | 16.5 x 23.4 |
Window Displays Posters Wall Notices Art & Design Visuals CAD Drawings Architectural Plans Exhibition Graphics
|
| A3 | 297 x 420 | 29.7 x 42 | 11.7 x 16.5 |
Window Displays Posters Wall Notices Art & Design Visuals CAD Drawings Architectural Plans
|
| A4 | 210 x 297 | 21 x 29.7 | 8.3 x 11.7 |
Letterheads Reports Presentations Text Books Dissertations Essays Training Manuals Handbooks Booklets Brochures Large Event Programmes
|
| A5 | 148 x 210 | 14.8 x 21 | 5.8 x 8.3 |
Diaries & planners Books Small forms Invitations Flyers Booklets Brochures Event Programmes
|
| A6 | 105 x 148 | 10.5 x 14.8 | 4.1 x 5.8 |
Postcards Flyers Leaflets Flashcards Invitations Save the dates
|
| A7 | 74 x 105 | 7.4 x 10.5 | 2.9 x 4.1 |
Large Post-it notes Tickets
|
| A8 | 52 x 74 | 5.2 x 7.4 | 2.0 x 2.9 |
Business cards
|
| A9 | 37 x 52 | 3.7 x 5.2 | 1.5 x 2.0 |
Vouchers Tickets
|
| A10 | 26 x 37 | 2.6 x 3.7 | 1.0 x 1.5 |
Stamps Small vouchers
|
| ‘B’ Paper Size | Size (mm) | Size (cm) | Size (inches) | Typical Uses |
| B0 | 1000 x 1414 | 100 x 141.4 | 39.4 x 55.7 |
Posters Enlarged photos or text
|
| B1 | 707 x 1000 | 70.7 x 100 | 27.8 x 39.4 |
Posters Enlarged photos or text
|
| B2 | 500 x 707 | 50 x 70.7 | 19.7 x 27.8 |
Small posters
|
| B3 | 353 x 500 | 35.3 x 50 | 13.9 x 19.7 |
Small posters Paintings
|
| B4 | 250 x 353 | 25 x 35.3 | 9.8 x 13.9 |
Little posters Notes
|
| B5 | 176 x 250 | 17.6 x 25 | 6.9 x 9.8 |
Menus Magazines Advertising flyers
|
| B6 | 25 x 176 | 12.5 x 17.6 | 4.9 x 6.9 |
Booklets Flyers
|
| B7 | 88 x 125 | 8.8 x 12.5 | 3.5 x 4.9 |
Small notebooks Menus Flyers
|
| B8 | 62 x 88 | 6.2 x 8.8 | 2.4 x 3.5 |
Flyers Business cards
|
| B9 | 44 x 62 | 4.4 x 6.2 | 1.7 x 2.4 |
Flyers Labels
|
| B10 | 31 x 44 | 3.1 x 4.4 | 1.2 x 1.7 |
Vouchers Small cards
|