Everyone has probably noticed that A5 and A4, which we all know from schools or offices, always have the same dimensions, be it a workbook, printer paper or a sketchpad. The same is true for other formats as well, thanks to the standards we divide them into. For plain paper we have the formats A, B and C, but there are also other sizes for posters or photos. All important paper formats are described and explained in this article.
Paper sizes: clear dimensions and series - CONTENTS
How do we divide paper sizes and why?
Sizes A : not only copy paper
B sizes: bigger = better?
C formats are used for envelopes
Other formats: American and Photographic
How do we divide paper sizes and why?
Like most things in our world, paper is subject to mutual agreement between the people who use it. In this case, however, it is not just an agreement, but a norm. Today we divide paper sizes into three basic series: A, B and C, all of which are subject to ISO standard 216 (formerly DIN 476). Thanks to this standardisation, a given format (e.g. A4) always has the same dimensions (for A4 210 × 297 mm). This not only makes work easier, but also enables the existence of printers and other machines that are designed for a specific paper type and are therefore smaller and cheaper.
If you want to print on larger paper sizes than A4, you need to select the appropriate printer.
Everyone is familiar with A4 and A5 sizes because they are the size of normal paper for printers or textbooks.
The A sizes are the most widely used range with the most common dimensions.
The B formats (B4, B5, etc.) have the same aspect ratio as the A series, but their dimensions are larger so that they can be cut to the dimensions of the A series.
The C-sizes contain envelope sizes that match the A-series paper.
i Paper weight and quality
Paper quality is determined by a number of attributes (binders, fillers, surface treatment). The most important, however, is weight. We define it as the amount of grams per square metre. The higher the weight, the stronger the paper and the overall quality. However, thick paper is not always needed: If you are creating large files, for example, heavy paper can be a nuisance. Normal white paper has a value of 40-150 g/m2 and a standard value of 80 g/m2 for normal printer or copy paper. booklet printing uk
Formats A: not just copy paper
The best known paper formats are the A-series. The most common are A4, A5 and A3, but the basic range is usually from A0 to A8. Everyone knows the A4 format - it is the most commonly used paper for printers and copiers, but also the format of large exercise books. A3 is twice the size of A4, A5 on the contrary half the size smaller, and both are also most commonly used in home and office printing.
How do you scale the A series formats?
The dimensions of the formats of the DIN A series are not random, but precisely calculated. The basis for calculating smaller formats is the A0 measurement, which is used for 1 m2 of paper. However, it is not a square but a rectangle with an aspect ratio of 1 : √2 (i.e. 1 : 1.4142). This ratio is called the "gateway to harmony" and makes the paper dimensions a key feature: when folding a longer page, the sheet always retains its original aspect ratio. By folding A3 we get A4 size, by folding again we get A5 sheet and so on.
Series A Dimensions
Format A0 841 × 1 189 mm
Format A1 594 × 841 mm
Format A2 420 × 594 mm
Format A3 297 × 420 mm
Format A4 210 × 297 mm
Format A5 148 × 210 mm
Format A6 105 × 148 mm
Format A7 74 × 105 mm
Format A8 52 × 74 mm
Formats B: bigger = better?
In addition to the best-known and most frequently used A-series, we also have B-formats. These are as graduated as the A-series, but have larger dimensions. Their aspect ratio also defined by the gate to harmony (1 : 1.4142), so it remains the same even when folded on the longer side. While the basic A0 format is chosen so that its area is 1 m2 , the shorter side of the B0 format is 1,000 mm (1 m). And since its longer side is 1,414 mm, it is clear that the area of the B0 sheet is equal to A0 × √2 (1,4142) and is therefore approximately 1,4142 times larger.
i What is the gate zut harmony?
The gate zut harmony is an aspect ratio with unique properties. It is based on Pythagoras' theorem, according to which the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle can be determined if we know the length of its cathetae. The diagonal of the square is calculated in the same way. This is important because A4 paper is a rectangle whose shorter side is as long as the side of a square and whose longer side is as long as the diagonal of the same square.
If we substitute the number 1 for both cathets (a, b) into the formula c² = a² + b², we find that c² = 2 and thus c = √2. And since √2 = 1.4142, we get the desired aspect ratio of 1: 1.4142 for the formats A.
How did the aspect ratio called the Gate of Harmony come about?
B-series formats are commonly used for printing books, newspapers and also for so-called "fall-out" printing, where graphics are printed right up to the edges of the paper. To avoid an error caused by shifting the paper, which can result in an unwanted white border, the graphic is printed on larger paper and then cut to the desired size. When printing A3 and A4 sizes use A3+ and A4+, but also use B3 and B4 papers.
Series B Dimensions
Format B0 1 000 × 1 414 mm
Format B1 707 × 1 000 mm
Format B2 500 × 707 mm
Format B3 353 × 500 mm
Format B4 250 × 353 mm
Format B5 176 × 250 mm
Format B6 125 × 176 mm
Format B7 88 × 125 mm
Format B8 62 × 88 mm