Paper size chart
Paper sizes shape the rest of the job: folds, inserts, labels on sheets, and where your margins start to disappear.
The usual starting point for office printers.
Useful when the workflow leaves US office conventions.
Those decisions flow from the sheet size first.
Quick check
Start with the sheet when the job folds
If the design prints on paper before it becomes an insert, label sheet, or folded mailer, start here. Sheet size controls the fold plan, printable safe area, and how much content fits cleanly before the page feels crowded.
- Letter remains the everyday US office default for templates and inserts.
- Legal adds length when the layout needs it, but that extra height changes folding and storage decisions too.
- A4 and A5 become the safer reference when you hand work to printers outside the US.
Common paper sizes (in / mm)
| Size name | Common name | Item size | Shape | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter | US Letter paper | 8.5 x 11 in (216 x 279 mm) | Paper | home printer sheets and office templates |
| Legal | US Legal paper | 8.5 x 14 in (216 x 356 mm) | Paper | long forms and document stacks |
| Tabloid | Tabloid paper | 11 x 17 in (279 x 432 mm) | Paper | large proof sheets and posters |
| A4 | A4 paper | 8.27 x 11.69 in (210 x 297 mm) | Paper | international office printing |
| A5 | A5 paper | 5.83 x 8.27 in (148 x 210 mm) | Paper | small inserts and compact handouts |
The sheet size decides layout options long before the label, insert, or envelope is chosen, so it is worth checking early.
Common questions
Why should I check paper size before label or envelope size?
Because the sheet controls fold options, printable area, and how inserts behave before they ever reach the envelope or label stock.
Is Letter the same as A4?
No. They are close enough to confuse people and different enough to break a layout when the margins are tight.
When does Tabloid matter?
When the proof, poster, or insert needs more width than office sheets can comfortably provide.