Choosing the correct size of paper for your printed products is essential to a successful outcome. Make sure you choose the relevant size to enable all of your text and images to fit well within the available space. Consider the intended purpose of your printed materials and choose accordingly. When considering the paper size you require, remember that you can print on both sides of the paper if using for leaflets, flyers, brochures and booklets etc but only one side for posters!
There are a number of paper size standards used in the world today, the most commonly used being the international ISO standard shown in the chart with dimensions below.
ISO A Paper Size Dimensions In mm
ISO A Paper Sizes Dimensions
| Size | 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 |
ISO A Paper Sizes Recommended Uses
A0
This is the largest available size,being over a metre in height, equivalent to 16 pieces of A4 paper. This size is used for extra large signs and posters.
A1
This size is used for large signs and posters.
A2
This size is used for notices, posters and art prints. It is slightly larger than a British broadsheet newspaper.
A3
You may be familiar with this size of paper from school or work. It is a similar size but slightly different in proportions to a British tabloid newspaper. Used for posters, plans, charts, presentations and art prints.
A4
This is a paper size we all recognise, it is what things such as council tax and energy bills are printed on. It is ideal if you have a lot of text and images to fit in to your advertising space. Often used in folded leaflet format for menus etc. Brochures, catalogues and magazines are often this size.
A5
This is half (1/2) the size of A4. There is an ample amount of space to place advertising text and several separate images. Used for marketing flyers, folded leaflets, brochures, catalogues and magazines when a slightly smaller format is required.
A6
This is a quarter (1/4) of the size of A4. Postcard size. There is enough room for a small amount of text and images. Used for promotional vouchers and package inserts etc,
A7
This is an eighth (1/8) of the size of A4. There is only room for a few lines of text. This size is more suitable for tickets & coupons or mini thankyou notes, rather than advertising flyers.