Standard Printer Paper Size

There are many different kinds of printers, but standard printer paper sizes have evolved. The most commonly used in the US is 8.5 x 11 inches (letter). Other paper printers use the international ISO standard.

North American Paper Dimensions

Aside from 8.5 x 11 (216 x 279 mm) there are other sizes used in North America. They include legal, which measures 8.5 x 14 (216 x 356 mm), junior legal (8.0 x 5.0 in; 203 x 127 mm), ledger (17 x 11 in; 432 x 279 mm) and tabloid (11 x 17 in; 279 x 432 mm).

ISO Paper Dimensions: Series Format A

The standard printer paper size used in many European countries is the A4, 210 x 297 mm. However there are other sizes in the A series. These sizes are A0 841 x 1189 mm, A1 594 x 841 mm, A2 420 x 594 mm and A3 297 x 420 mm. Other sizes are A5 (148 x 210 mm), A6 (105 x 148 mm) A7 (74 x 105 mm) and A8 (52 x 74 mm), A (37 x 52 mm) and A10 (26 x 37 mm).

Series Format B

These include B0 (1000 x 1414), B1 (707 x 1000), B2 (500 x 707 mm), B3 (353 x 500 mm), B4 (250 x 353 mm), B5 (176 x 250 mm), B6 (125 x 176) and B7 (88 x 125 mm). B8 measures 62 x 88 mm, while B9 is 44 x 62 mm. B10 is 31 x44 mm. These sizes are not widely used, but some printers do support them.

JIS Paper Dimensions

The following are the Japanese industry standards (in mm). They are B0 1030 x 1456, B1, 728 x 1030, B2, 515 x 728, B3, 364 x 515 and B4 257 x 364. B5 measures 182 x 257, B6 is 128 x 182 and B7 is 91 x 128. B8 measures 64 x 91 and B9 is 45 x 64. B10 is 32 x 45, B11 is 22 x 32 and B12 is 16 x 22.

More about Printers and Papers

You only need to use a few of these paper types for everyday work. But if you are engaged in specialized tasks, make sure the printer supports the paper type you need.

The importance of standard printer paper sizes cannot be overstrained. From business to homework to artwork, the standardization has made it easier to print documents from computers.