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- 4 minute read
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Printing is something we may be guilty of taking for granted from time to time. But now and then we’ll need to print something very specific, that isn’t your standard A4, one-pager Word doc.
This usually involves using different sized paper, which always brings up questions such as ‘is A3 bigger than A4?’.
With paper sizes operating on a reverse scale, with the largest dimensions being the smallest number, you can see why this could get confusing.
To help you out with these on-going questions, we’ll run through some common paper sizes, what they look like, and how they’re used.
How many different sizes are there?
Paper not only comes in different sizes but classes as well. Below outlines the A-class, which is the one most of us use day-to-day. A-class paper is defined as paper with the correct ratios, meaning it can be folded in half perfectly to create the next smallest size.
Read on to discover the sizes and uses for these paper sizes, and their compatible printers.
A0
Despite having the lowest number, this is the largest of them all, with A0 paper size being 841 x 1189 mm. In other words, they’re over a metre in height, which is the same as 16 pieces of A4 paper. Typically, these would be used for making large signs and posters.
A1
Similar to A0 paper, these sheets of paper would be used for creating signs, window displays and posters. However, they aren’t as big as A0, with A1 paper size coming in at 594 x 841 mm.
A2
Scaling down from the above, A2 paper size is 420 x 594 mm. The kinds of things this size of paper would be used for are notices, posters, art prints and window displays. It’s slightly larger overall than a British broadsheet newspaper.
A3
A form of paper you’ll have encountered at work or school, A3 paper size stands at 297 x 420 mm, a similar size but slightly different in proportions to a tabloid newspaper. One of the more popular paper sizes around, this tends to be for posters, plans, charts and presentations. While not a go-to paper size for home use, many business smart inkjet printers offer A3 print capability, with some even offering this from an A4 size machine!
A4
The most common and recognised sheet of paper, A4 paper size is 210 x 297 mm. Used throughout the UK, this is used for everyday printing for everything from Word documents to stationery letterheads. These are the universal home printing format, and all laser and inkjet printers – along with some mobile printers – should have A4 capability.
A5
Another set of dimensions you’ll be used to seeing, A5 paper size is 148.5 x 210 mm, and has many common uses. From flyers and invitations, to booklets, planners and diaries, it makes for a handy and portable size. While several mobile printers offer A5 printing facilities, many standard home printers offer A5 prints, as it is half the size of A4, allowing two A5 prints to be printed on one sheet of A4.
A6
Standard A6 paper size is 105 x 148.5 mm, which makes it too small for long blocks of text, but it still has plenty of uses. Some mobile printers offer the capability to print this size, which is most regularly used for flyers, postcards, leaflets and save the dates.
Paper size chart
While we’ve talked you through A0 to A6, the A-Class actually runs all the way to a tiny A10 size. Below, you’ll find a paper size chart detailing all the sizes in the A-class, including the ones not mentioned above, in cm, mm and inches.
| Paper | mm | cm | inches |
| A0 | 841 x 1189 mm | 84.1 x 118.9 cm | 33.1 x 46.8 inches |
| A1 | 594 x 841 mm | 59.4 x 84.1 cm | 23.4 x 33.1 inches |
| A2 | 420 x 594 mm | 42 x 59.4 cm | 16.5 x 23.4 inches |
| A3 | 297 x 420 mm | 29.7 x 42 cm | 11.7 x 16.5 inches |
| A4 | 210 x 297 mm | 21 x 29.7 cm | 8.3 x 11.7 inches |
| A5 | 148.5 x 210 mm | 14.85 x 21cm | 5.8 x 8.3 inches |
| A6 | 105 x 148.5 mm | 10.5 x 14.85 cm | 4.1 x 5.8 inches |
| A7 | 74 x 105 mm | 7.4 x 10.5 cm | 2.9 x 4.1 inches |
| A8 | 52 x 74 mm | 5.2 x 7.4 cm | 2.0 x 2.9 inches |
| A9 | 37 x 52 mm | 3.7 x 5.2 cm | 1.5 x 2.0 inches |
| A10 | 26 x 37 mm | 2.6 x 3.7 cm | 1.0 x 1.5 inches |
As you can see, there’s more to paper sizing than you might have thought – and this is just one class of many! But for common and convenient sizes like A3, A4 and A5, you can rely on a Brotherprinterto deliver high-quality and reliable printing page after page.
Whatever you need, we have it. View our full range of printers, from inkjet printersto laser printers, plus loads more.
