A4 paper is one of the most widely used paper sizes in the world. Much like its US equivalent “Letter,” it is essential in offices, schools, and homes alike. Its popularity stems not just from tradition but from a clever, standardized design that offers practicality. In this article, we’ll thoroughly dive into the topic of A4 paper by covering its advantages, dimensions, and common uses.
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Definition: A4 paper dimensions
The A4 paper is the most popular paper size in the world, with the primary exceptions being the United States and Canada. A4 paper belongs to the A series, which is part of ISO 216, the international standard that is based on the metric system and was created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
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Dimensions
The A4 paper dimensions measure 21 × 29.7 cm or 210 × 297 mm, which equals 8.3 × 11.7 in. What makes A4 and all ISO 216 papers unique is their consistent aspect ratio of 1:√2. This ratio allows the paper to be scaled up or down while maintaining the same proportions, meaning you can fold an A3 sheet in half to receive two A4 sheets, and so on.
Envelope
A4 paper can be paired with C4 envelopes, which are specifically designed to fit an A4 sheet without folding. Like A-series paper, envelope sizes in the C series follow the ISO 216 standard. Due to its aspect ratio, A4 folded in half fits perfectly into a C5 envelope (162 × 229 mm), and so on.
For folded A4 documents, such as trifold letters, DL (Dimension Lengthwise) envelopes (110 × 220 mm) are typically used for business, legal, and formal correspondence. This includes the use of compliment slips, which add a personal touch when sending brochures, invoices, or small items. For bulky and folded A4 papers, DL+ (114 × 229 mm) can be used.
Uses
A4 paper is widely used for personal and professional settings, meaning that it can be used for not just everyday tasks, such as basic printer paper, but also for:
- official forms
- flyers
- magazines
- notepads
- resumes
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A4 vs. Letter
A4 paper and US Letter are similar as they are both used for general printing tasks. While A4 printing is preferred internationally, Letter is used primarily in the United States and Canada. But what else differentiates them? Below, we have listed their characteristics and differences.
| Paper size | A4 size | Letter size |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 210 × 297 mm (8.27 × 11.69 in) | 216 × 279 mm (8.5 × 11 in) |
| System | Metric | Imperial |
| Aspect ratio | 1:√2 | 1:1.294 |
| Envelope sizes | C4, C5, C6, DL, DL+ | #9, #10 |
FAQs
The dimensions of the A4 paper size are 21 × 29.7 cm or 210 × 297 mm.
US Letter and A4 paper sizes are not the same. Letter is primarily used in the United States and Canada, while A4 is used in every other part of the world. US Letter dimensions are wider and shorter than A4 dimensions.
No. 8.5 × 11 refers to US Letter, while A4 size is 210 × 297 mm (8.27 × 11.69 in). This means that A4 is taller and US Letter is wider.
A4 paper is widely used worldwide due to its versatility. What makes it and other A-series papers special is that they ensure a consistent aspect ratio (1:√2). This makes it easy to scale documents up and down without distortion, meaning if you fold an A3 paper in half, you get two A4 papers, and so on.
