Technical guide · ISO 216
A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7 and A8 paper sizes
A-series paper sizes are defined by the international standard ISO 216. Here is the complete table in millimetres, centimetres and inches, how the sizes are derived and what each one is typically used for.
A-series size table
| Size | Millimetres | Centimetres | Inches | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 × 1189 mm | 84.1 × 118.9 cm | 33.1 × 46.8 in | Architectural and engineering drawings, large posters. |
| A1 | 594 × 841 mm | 59.4 × 84.1 cm | 23.4 × 33.1 in | Drawings, posters, presentation boards. |
| A2 | 420 × 594 mm | 42 × 59.4 cm | 16.5 × 23.4 in | Posters, prints, detail drawings. |
| A3 | 297 × 420 mm | 29.7 × 42 cm | 11.7 × 16.5 in | Drawings, diagrams, small posters, restaurant menus. |
| A4 | 210 × 297 mm | 21 × 29.7 cm | 8.3 × 11.7 in | Letters, documents, home and office printers. |
| A5 | 148 × 210 mm | 14.8 × 21 cm | 5.8 × 8.3 in | Notebooks, leaflets, flyers, menus. |
| A6 | 105 × 148 mm | 10.5 × 14.8 cm | 4.1 × 5.8 in | Postcards, cards, small flyers. |
| A7 | 74 × 105 mm | 7.4 × 10.5 cm | 2.9 × 4.1 in | Labels, table cards, sticky notes. |
| A8 | 52 × 74 mm | 5.2 × 7.4 cm | 2 × 2.9 in | Approximate business cards, tickets, small labels. |
Visual comparison
Each size is half the previous one
The A series starts from an A0 sheet of 1 m². Folding it in half along the long side gives an A1; folding the A1 gives an A2, and so on down to A8.
All sizes keep the same proportion, 1:√2 (≈ 1:1.414). That is why you can enlarge an A4 to A3 on a photocopier (at 141%) or reduce an A3 to A4 (at 71%) without distortion or extra margins.
Dimensions are rounded to the nearest whole millimetre, which explains why two A4s (210 × 297) do not add up to exactly one A3 (297 × 420) to the tenth of a millimetre.
DIN A4, folio and other names
The A series was born in Germany with the DIN 476 standard (1922) and became international as ISO 216. That is why in Spain people say «DIN A4» and «A4» interchangeably.
The traditional folio (215 × 315 mm) is slightly longer than A4, although in everyday Spanish «folio» is used to mean A4.
There are also the B series (intermediate sizes, used for posters and books) and the C series (envelopes: a C4 envelope holds an unfolded A4). The United States uses different sizes, such as Letter (216 × 279 mm).
Printing, cutting or binding?
If you are preparing a file for print, you will normally add 3 mm of bleed on each side and keep important text a few millimetres away from the edge.
At Archicercle we work with these sizes every day in graphic arts and print finishing, restaurant menus and invitations and stationery. We also cut paper, cardboard and card to size with laser cutting in Valencia.
Paper and laser cutting
From A sizes to laser-cut paper
A sizes are the starting point for invitations, menus, cards and packaging. This is how they relate to laser cutting in our workshop.
Cutting without a die
The CO2 laser cuts paper and card straight from your vector file: no die, so a single unit or a short run costs the same to set up.
Cutting over print
Our CO2 lasers have a CCD camera, so we can cut around a design that is already printed (labels, cards, invitations).
Format and sheet
Draw the sheet at 1:1 on the MATERIAL layer and leave 10 mm free around the edge: we need it to hold the sheet. A finished A4 or A5 is planned inside a larger sheet.
Cut or engrave
Red and blue layers cut; engraving layers mark the surface with lines or filled areas, for text, patterns and logos.
Papers and boards in stock
Textured card
Canson Mi-Teintes: card with a fine grain in a wide range of colours, for invitations, stationery and models.
See in the catalogue →
Smooth coloured card
Canson Iris: smooth, evenly coloured card for cut-outs, labels and layered pieces.
See in the catalogue →
Ecocarten and adhesive parchments
Recycled board and adhesive parchments for packaging, labels and signage.
See in the catalogue →
Corrugated board and foam board
For architecture models, displays and light structures.
See in the catalogue →
Preparing the file? How to prepare files for laser cutting →
Next step
From the guide to your part
Upload your file for an instant price, start from an idea with the configurator, choose your material or tell us about your project.
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Tell us what you want to make. We advise you on material, process and finish, and send you a tailored quote.
We answer your doubts
Frequently asked questions
How big is A4?
An A4 sheet measures 210 × 297 mm, that is 21 × 29.7 cm (about 8.3 × 11.7 inches).
How many A4 sheets fit in an A3?
Two. Each size in the A series has exactly half the area of the previous one, so an A3 equals two A4s, an A2 four A4s and an A0 sixteen A4s.
Is A4 the same as folio?
No. In Spain A4 is often called «folio», but the traditional folio measures 215 × 315 mm, slightly longer. Today almost all office paper is A4 (DIN A4).
What does DIN A4 mean?
DIN refers to the German standard DIN 476, from which the A series comes. The current international standard is ISO 216; DIN A4 and ISO A4 are the same size.
Why does A0 measure 841 × 1189 mm?
Because the standard requires A0 to have an area of 1 m² and a side ratio of 1:√2. Those two conditions give 841 × 1189 mm.
Can't find your answer? Write to us and we'll reply within one business day.