Have you ever wondered, "What size is standard printer paper?" It's a common question for anyone handling documents, whether at work, school, or home. The truth is, there's no universal answer, as the standard paper size varies depending on regions, industries, and specific needs.
Choosing the right paper size is important. It saves time, avoids formatting errors, and ensures your documents look polished and professional. In this article, we'll give you a quick overview of the key points, including:
- ●What is the standard size for printer paper
- ●How to print standard sized paper documents
- ●What are other popular paper sizes to know
- ●FAQs about printer paper sizes
Regular / Standard Printer Paper Size (Quick Answer)
In North America, the “regular” printer paper is US Letter: 8.5 × 11 inches (216 × 279 mm). Internationally, the common standard is A4: 210 × 297 mm (8.27 × 11.69 in).
| Name | Inches (W×H) | Millimeters | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Letter | 8.5 × 11 in | 216 × 279 mm | U.S./Canada office documents |
| A4 (ISO 216) | 8.27 × 11.69 in | 210 × 297 mm | International office documents |
- ●Is 8.5 by 11 normal paper? Yes, in the U.S./Canada.
- ●For international printing, choose A4 to avoid formatting issues.
A4 Size (ISO 216): 210 × 297 mm
A4 = 210 × 297 mm = 8.27 × 11.69 inches = 21.0 × 29.7 cm.
Aspect ratio: 1:√2.
Common pixels: 595×842 (72 DPI), 1240×1754 (150 DPI), 2480×3508 (300 DPI).
| Unit | Dimensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Millimeters | 210 × 297 mm | ISO 216 A series |
| Inches | 8.27 × 11.69 in | ≈ 1:√2 ratio |
| Pixels | 2480 × 3508 px | at 300 DPI (print) |
Need to set A4 quickly? Jump to: Word / Google Docs / Photoshop
US Letter Size: 8.5 × 11 inches
US Letter measures 8.5 × 11 inches (216 × 279 mm), making it about 6 mm wider and 18 mm shorter than A4.
It's the default “standard” office paper size in the U.S. and Canada, so most office printers and document templates in North America are designed around US Letter by default.
Tip: If your app defaults to A4, switch paper size to US Letter before printing to avoid cropping.
A4 vs US Letter Comparison
| Item | A4 | US Letter |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 210 × 297 mm (8.27 × 11.69 in) | 216 × 279 mm (8.5 × 11 in) |
| Region | Europe/Asia & most countries | U.S. & Canada |
| When to choose | International documents, ISO templates | Domestic U.S./Canada printing |
| Compatibility tip | Set A4 in app & driver | Set US Letter in app & driver |
Pixels & DPI Cheat Sheet
| Size | 72 DPI | 150 DPI | 300 DPI (Print) | Suggested Margins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 595 × 842 | 1240 × 1754 | 2480 × 3508 | 25 mm (1 in) all sides |
| US Letter | 612 × 792 | 1275 × 1650 | 2550 × 3300 | 25 mm (1 in) all sides |
Export at 300 DPI for crisp printing, and match the printer driver paper size to avoid scaling.
How to Print Standard Sized Paper Documents
At first glance, Letter and A4 paper dimensions seem interchangeable. But their subtle differences - A4's extra height and Letter's additional width - can cause formatting problems when printing documents designed for one size on the other.
Printing U.S. Letter Documents on A4 Paper
To avoid cropping, set your printer to "shrink to fit" or adjust the magnification to 97%. This ensures the entire document fits within A4's narrower width without cutting off content.
Printing A4 Documents on Letter Paper
Since A4 is about 6% taller than Letter, you can prevent cropping at the top and bottom by setting your magnification to 94%. Alternatively, many printers offer a "fit to page" option, which can automatically adjust the scaling for seamless printing.
Set A4 in Microsoft Word
- File → Page Setup / Layout → Paper Size
- Select A4 (210 × 297 mm)
- Margins: 25 mm (1 in) on all sides
- Before printing: Print → Paper Size: A4
- If printer defaults to Letter, enable Fit/Scale to A4
Set A4 in Google Docs
- File → Page setup → Paper size: A4
- Margins: 1 in (25.4 mm)
- Print → More settings → Paper size: A4 → Fit to page
Export A4 in Photoshop/Illustrator
- New file: 2480 × 3508 px, 300 DPI
- Color: CMYK for print or sRGB for digital
- Export PDF/PNG; print at Scale 100% and select A4 in driver
With the advancement of mobile printing technology, A4 portable printers are becoming increasingly popular.
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HPRT provides various portable thermal printers and A4 document printers, perfect for home and office use. As a trusted direct manufacturer from China, we guarantee exceptional quality, reliability, and performance with every product.
MT800Q Inkless A4 Mini Printer
Elegant small handheld A4 printer with battery, perfect for home, office and travel.
- • Thermal transfer printing
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- • USB Type C, Bluetooth 4.0
- • Up to 15mm/s print speed
- • Compatible with Windows, iOS, Android, MAC
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- Learn More
MT810 Small Mobile Printer
Fast printing thermal A4 printer, supports two different widths with variable lengths, offering flexibility for diverse mobile printing tasks.
- • Direct thermal printing
- • Lightweight and compact at 921g
- • USB Type C, Bluetooth 5.0 (multi-user Bluetooth connectivity)
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Looking for bulk orders or custom printing?
What are Other Popular Paper Sizes to Know
Common U.S. Paper Sizes
●Legal Paper (8.5 × 14 inches) — Longer than Letter; used for contracts/legal documents.
●Tabloid / Ledger (11 × 17 inches) — Posters, newsletters, large designs.
Common International ISO Sizes
The ISO 216 standard is a globally recognized system for paper sizes, featuring a consistent aspect ratio of one to the square root of two. This ratio ensures that sheets maintain proportional layouts when folded or scaled. Widely used in Europe, Asia, and beyond, it provides a unified framework for printing, copying, and publishing.
Within the ISO system, the A series is the most common, designed for everyday tasks such as printing, writing, and office use.
The chart on the right compares U.S. paper sizes with international ISO sizes.
| Paper Size | Dimensions (mm) | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 × 1189 | Large posters, engineering drawings, blueprints |
| A1 | 594 × 841 | Technical drawings, conference posters, display boards |
| A2 | 420 × 594 | Posters, charts, graphic design |
| A3 | 297 × 420 | Presentations, diagrams, design drafts |
| A4 | 210 × 297 | Letters, printed documents, office papers |
| A5 | 148 × 210 | Notebooks, brochures, flyers |
| A6 | 105 × 148 | Postcards, leaflets, small pamphlets |
FAQs About Printer Paper Sizes
1. What's the Difference Between A4 and US Letter?
A4 is slightly narrower and longer than US Letter, making it the global standard outside North America. US Letter is more common in the U.S. and Canada but may cause formatting issues when printing internationally.
2. Can I Use A4 Paper in a US Printer?
Yes, most printers can handle A4 paper. Just make sure to adjust the paper size in your printer settings to avoid misalignment.
3. What Paper Size Should I Use for International Printing?
A4 is the safest choice for international printing, as it's recognized and accepted worldwide.
4. What are the pixel dimensions for A4/Letter at 300 DPI?
A4: 2480 × 3508 px; US Letter: 2550 × 3300 px.
5. What margins are recommended for A4/Letter?
Common defaults: 25 mm (1 in) on all sides.
Understanding standard printer paper sizes helps you print documents seamlessly, whether at home, in the office, or on the go. For most people, A4 paper is the perfect all-purpose option, thanks to its global compatibility and practical dimensions.
And if you're looking for ultimate convenience, a portable A4 printer can revolutionize how you work. Compact and easy to use, it ensures you're never without a reliable printing solution, no matter where you are.
