Visually compare A-series and B-series paper sizes

Page Summary

The Paper Size Comparison Viewer lets you visually line up and overlay major standard sizes such as A-series and B-series. Intuitively confirm that A4 is half of A3, or look up exact millimeter dimensions in a reference table. Extremely handy for designing print layouts and choosing the right envelope.

  • Visual comparison: Compare different standard sizes on the same screen at scale
  • Detailed specs: Calculate dimensions in mm, cm, inches, and pixels at 300 DPI
  • Orientation toggle: Full support for portrait and landscape orientations
  • Full coverage: Includes A0-A10, B0-B10, postcards, L-size photo prints, and more
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Select paper sizes to display

Paper Size Reference

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are A-series and B-series?

A-series paper sizes are an international standard defined by ISO 216. Starting from A0 (841x1189mm), each subsequent size is exactly half the area of the previous one (A1 is half of A0, A2 is half of A1, and so on). A4 is the worldwide standard for office documents.

Japan's unique B-series

The B-series commonly used in Japan is based on the JIS standard, with B0 measuring 1030x1456mm. Note that this differs from the international ISO B-series. B5 is widely used for notebooks and pamphlets, while B4 is used for tabloid newspapers and sheet music.

Practical limitations

Paper size comparisons here follow ISO 216 (A and B series) and the JIS standard, but actual print jobs distinguish between "finished size" and "raw sheet size." Commercial printing requires bleed (about 3mm on each edge), so artwork must be slightly larger than the displayed size. In North America, Letter (8.5x11 in) and Legal (8.5x14 in) dominate, and they differ subtly from A4, so take care when preparing materials for overseas audiences.

Drawbacks and trade-offs

Paper size standards are designed around a mathematical ratio (sqrt(2):1), but the physical constraints of printing presses (printable area, gripper margin) mean you cannot print to the very edge of the sheet. Even borderless-capable printers internally enlarge the artwork slightly and clip it. Envelope sizes correspond to paper sizes (an A4 fits in a C4 envelope), but the practical clearance considering folding and thickness is not reflected in this visual comparison.

On-the-job Q&A

Q: What is the difference between A3 Nobi and A3? - A3 Nobi (Super A3) is roughly 329x483mm, slightly larger than standard A3 (297x420mm). It is used to print A3 artwork with bleed and trim down to the final A3 size. Q: Are JIS B4 and ISO B4 different? - Yes. JIS B4 is 257x364mm while ISO B4 is 250x353mm. Japanese commercial printing uses JIS sizes, but watch for the ISO standard in international documents.

Print and paper trends

Despite ongoing digitization, the commercial printing market still maintains an annual scale of around 5 trillion yen. Packaging and label printing in particular are growth areas driven by e-commerce. From a sustainability perspective, FSC-certified papers are increasingly common, and efficient imposition design across A and B series sizes to reduce paper waste has become an important theme. The spread of on-demand printing has normalized small-lot, high-mix runs, and demand for non-standard sizes (square, elongated formats) is growing.

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