Paper sizes: A4, A5, B1 and common print formats
Independent guide, updated on . Practices vary from one workshop to another: have your printer confirm the values.
Before requesting a quote or preparing a file, you need to know the trimmed size of the printed item, i.e. its dimensions after cutting. This page brings together the standard sizes (A, B and C series) and the customary formats you will come across at printers and copy shops in Paris.
Standard sizes: A and B series (ISO 216)
The international standard ISO 216 defines the A and B series. All these sizes have the same width-to-height ratio, 1 : √2 (about 1 : 1.414): folding a sheet in half along its length gives the next size down, with the same proportions. This is what lets you enlarge an A4 to A3 without distorting the layout.
- A0 measures 841 × 1189 mm, an area of one square metre.
- B0 measures 1000 × 1414 mm. Each B size is the geometric mean of the two A sizes on either side of it (B1 lies between A1 and A0).
- Dimensions are always given as width × height in millimetres, rounded to the nearest millimetre.
| No. | A series (mm) | B series (mm) | Common uses (A series) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 841 × 1189 | 1000 × 1414 | plans, large posters |
| 1 | 594 × 841 | 707 × 1000 | plans, posters |
| 2 | 420 × 594 | 500 × 707 | posters |
| 3 | 297 × 420 | 353 × 500 | small posters, plans, charts |
| 4 | 210 × 297 | 250 × 353 | letters, documents, photocopies |
| 5 | 148 × 210 | 176 × 250 | flyers, booklets, notebooks |
| 6 | 105 × 148 | 125 × 176 | flyers, postcards, invitations |
| 7 | 74 × 105 | 88 × 125 | labels, small cards |
| 8 | 52 × 74 | 62 × 88 | labels |
| 9 | 37 × 52 | 44 × 62 | — |
| 10 | 26 × 37 | 31 × 44 | — |
The standard allows a manufacturing tolerance: ± 1.5 mm up to 150 mm, ± 2 mm from 150 to 600 mm, ± 3 mm above that.
What about the C series?
The C series (ISO 269) covers envelopes: a C4 envelope (229 × 324 mm) holds an unfolded A4 sheet, a C5 (162 × 229 mm) an A4 folded in half or an A5, a C6 (114 × 162 mm) an A4 folded in four or an A6. The DL envelope (110 × 220 mm) takes an A4 folded in three.
Common print formats
Many products do not follow the A series: their formats are trade conventions, not standards. They vary slightly from one printer to another; always check the format offered before preparing your file.
| Product | Usual format(s) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Business card | 85 × 55 mm | Common European format. A bank card (ISO/IEC 7810, ID-1) measures 85.60 × 53.98 mm, hence compatible card holders. The North American format is 3.5 × 2 inches (88.9 × 50.8 mm). |
| Flyer, leaflet | A5 (148 × 210 mm), A6 (105 × 148 mm) | The DL format (99 × 210 mm, one third of A4) is also very common. |
| Postcard | A6 (105 × 148 mm) | Sometimes 100 × 150 mm depending on the printer. |
| Folded leaflet | A4 folded in 2 or 3 (closed size A5 or DL) | The open size is used for the file, the closed size for the finished piece. |
| Poster | A3, A2, A1, 40 × 60 cm, 60 × 80 cm, 120 × 176 cm | 40 × 60 and 60 × 80 cm are common display formats; 120 × 176 cm is the format of street furniture panels (bus shelters, free-standing “sucettes”). |
| Roll-up banner | 85 × 200 cm, 100 × 200 cm | Dimensions of the stand; the visible area and the base reduce the usable surface (see the printer's template). |
| Plan | A0, A1, A2 | Large-format reprographics, printed to scale. |
| Dissertation, thesis | A4 | Binding according to the institution's requirements. |
Which format should you choose?
- To be read up close and kept (detailed flyer, menu, programme): A5, which fits in one hand and leaves room for text.
- To be handed out in large numbers or slipped into a pocket: A6 or DL.
- To be seen from a distance (shop window, notice board): A2 and up, or a 40 × 60 / 60 × 80 cm display format. The further away a poster is seen from, the larger and shorter the text must be.
- For a trade show or a reception desk: a roll-up banner, with the message readable at eye level (the bottom is often hidden by people and furniture).
- For a mailing: choose the envelope first (C5, C6, DL), then the format that fits into it.
A standard format is generally simpler and quicker to produce, because it matches the workshops' sheets and guillotines. A custom size is still possible: ask for it when you request a quote.
Key points for your file
The file must be built at the trimmed size plus bleed (2 to 3 mm per edge for small formats, more for large format), with important text at least 3 mm from the trim edge. See the guide Preparing your file.
Sources
- ISO 216:2007, Writing paper and certain classes of printed matter — Trimmed sizes — A and B series: https://www.iso.org/standard/36631.html
- Markus Kuhn (University of Cambridge), International standard paper sizes (A, B, C and DL tables): https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mgk25/iso-paper.html
- Wikipedia, International standard paper sizes (tolerances, ISO 269): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_standard_paper_sizes
- Wikipedia, ISO/IEC 7810 (ID-1 format for bank cards): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO/IEC_7810
Frequently asked questions
What are the exact dimensions of an A4 sheet?
210 × 297 mm, according to ISO 216. A3 (297 × 420 mm) equals two A4 sheets, and A5 (148 × 210 mm) is half an A4.
What size is a business card in France?
85 × 55 mm is the most widespread format in Europe. It is not an ISO standard: ask your printer for the exact format.
What size should a flyer be?
A5 (148 × 210 mm) for a detailed message, A6 (105 × 148 mm) for hand-to-hand distribution or a postcard format.
What is a B size?
An intermediate series between two A sizes (B1 = 707 × 1000 mm, between A1 and A0). It is used mainly for posters and books.
Should I add the bleed to the dimensions?
Yes: the file must extend 2 to 3 mm beyond the trimmed size on each edge for small formats (for example 91 × 61 mm for an 85 × 55 mm card).
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