Standard Print Formats

Paper sizes

The international standard for paper sizes (used worldwide with the exception of North America and parts of Latin America) is ISO 216. This includes the A series of paper sizes (e.g. A4, the most common of all paper sizes). It is based on an aspect ratio of √2:1, which means that when ISO 216 paper is folded in half lengthwise, each half of the paper will have the same aspect ratio as the original sheet.

This aspect ratio for paper is mentioned in a letter of 1786 which describes it as already being in common use among paper makers.

A1

594 x 841mm

A2

420 x 594mm

A3

297 x 420mm

A4

210 x 297mm

A5

148 x 210mm

A6

105 x 148mm

A7

74 x 105mm

Book sizes

More variety and disagreement exists when it comes to book sizing. Below are standard UK sizes as used by Canongate. n.b. These are trimmed page sizes.

Royal

234 x 153mm

Squat Royal

214 x 153mm

Demy

214 x 135mm

B format

198 x 129mm

Cut Down B format

178 x 129mm

A format

178 x 111mm