Paper Sizes: Standard paper sizes and their U.S. and ISO measurement conversions

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Standard paper sizes and their U.S. and ISO (International Organization for Standardization) conversions

Crafting has gone global. Great craft ideas and materials come from all around the world now. Have you ever wondered what A4 paper is? Fret no more. Here are some handy conversion charts to help you figure out standard international paper sizes.

Linear measurement

USA/British	Metric
1 inch	2.54 centimeters (cm)
1 foot	0.3048 meters (m)
1 yard	0.9144 meters (m)

Commonly available standard paper sizes

USA sizes	Inches (")	Metric
Letter (standard printer paper)	8.5" x 11"	110.4mm X 279.4mm
Legal	8.5" X 14"	110.4mm X 355.6mm
Tabloid	11" x 17"	279.4mm X 431.8mm
Broadsheet (newsprint)	17" X 22"	431.8mm X 558.8mm
Scrapbook page (large)	12" X 12"	304.8mm X 304.8mm
Scrapbook page (small)	8" X 8"	203.2mm X 203.2mm
ISO sizes
A6	5.83" X 4.13"	148mm X 105mm
A5	5.83" X 8.27"	148mm X 210mm
A4 (standard printer paper)	8.27" X 11.69"	210mm X 297mm
A3	11.69" x 16.54"	297mm X 420mm
A2	16.54" x 23.39"	420mm x 594mm
A1	23.39" X 33.11"	594mm X 841mm

In addition to the standard "A" sizes in ISO measurement, there are "B" and "C" sizes as well. which were developed for different applications. "C" sizes, for example, were developed for envelopes. An unfolded A4 letter fits in a C4 envelope. Folded once to an A5 size, it fits in a C5 envelope, and folded twice, it fits in a C6 envelope. Don't you love metrics?

Origami fans take note; the Japanese standards are slightly different, so be aware when reading instructions.

For way too much information on international paper sizes, standards and history, visit International Standard Paper Sizes by Markus Kuhn at http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mgk25/iso-paper.html.