Standard paper sizes

(GOST 5773-76)

North American Standard

Series A

The largest standard size, A0, has an area of ​​one square meter and an aspect ratio of 1:√2. The long side of the sheet has a length of approximately 1.189 m, the length of the short side is the reciprocal of this value, approximately 0.841 m, the product of these two lengths gives an area of ​​1 m².

Dimension A1 is obtained by cutting sheet A0 along the short side into two equal parts, as a result of which the aspect ratio is preserved. This allows you to get one standard paper size from another, which was not possible with traditional sizes. Preserving aspect ratio also means that when scaling an image from one aspect ratio to another, the aspect ratio of the image is preserved.

Series B

In addition to the A series of formats, there are also less common formats of the B series. Sheets of format B have the same aspect ratio as series A. Only B0 has a width of 1 m. The area of ​​sheets of series B is the geometric average of the two subsequent sheets of series A. For example, B1 in size is between A0 and A1, with an area of ​​0.71 m². As a result, B0 has dimensions of 1000 × 1414 mm. The B series is almost never used in the office, it has a number of special applications, for example, many posters come out in these formats, B5 is often used for books, and these formats are also used for envelopes and passports.

Series C

Series C is used only for envelopes and is defined in ISO 269. The area of ​​sheets of series C is equal to the geometric mean of sheets of series A and B of the same number. For example, the area C4 is the geometric mean of the area of ​​sheets A4 and B, while C4 is slightly larger than A4, and B4 is slightly larger than C4. The practical meaning of this is that an A4 sheet can be inserted into a C4 envelope, and a C4 envelope can be inserted into a B4 heavy envelope.
C6 162 x 114 mm - the main postal envelope format of the Soviet period.

North American Standard

The American sizes currently in use are based on traditionally used sizes, and are defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The most commonly used formats in daily activities are "Letter", "Legal" and "Ledger"/"Tabloid". The source of the "Letter" format (8.5 × 11 inches or 216 × 279 mm) is a tradition and is not known for sure.
North American paper sizes are government standards in the United States and the Philippines (however, Filipino "legal" is 8.5 × 13 inches, which is different from American "legal"), and are also widely used in Canada, Mexico, and some countries in South America.
Unlike standard A4 paper, which is a geometric subset of the range of paper sizes based on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard, the origin of "Letter" paper sizes is lost in tradition and not clearly documented. The American Timber and Paper Association claims that the measurements date back to the days of papermaking by hand, and that an 11-inch page length is a quarter of the "average maximum arm length of an experienced worker." However, this does not explain the width or aspect ratio.

Publication formats

GOST (5773-76)

To determine the format of a book block, it is necessary to decompose the value of the sheet share (/16, /32, etc.) into two largest factors (16=4x4, 32=4x8), then divide the larger side of the sheet by a larger factor, the smaller one by a smaller factor .
For example: 84x108/32 => 32=4x8 => x => 21x13.5
If now subtract 1 cm from the larger value, and 0.5 cm from the smaller one, we get the format of the block after cropping (for publications with landscape print, subtract 1 cm from the smaller value, and 0.5 from the larger one).

Vintage formats of books and writing paper

The format of the publication is the size of the book block (in length and width) after three-sided cropping.
The format is determined by the type and type of publication, its volume, circulation, the nature of the illustrative material placed in it, the reader's purpose, terms of use, etc.
The term "book format" apparently arose in the era of machine production, when it became necessary to unify the size of the book for its mass production and commodity exchange.
The results of measurements of dozens of Russian books of the 11th-13th centuries showed that there were no stable sizes. The format of the future book was chosen by the scribe, based on its purpose, as well as in accordance with the tastes of the customer and his own desire. The altar gospels, richly illustrated and large books (prologues, collections, etc.) were made, as a rule, of a large size (the height of the book block was more than 30 cm). Such, for example, are the oldest handwritten books: the Ostromir Gospel (1056-1057), Svyatoslav's Izbornik (1073), the twelve volumes of the Great Menaion Chetiy (1547-1563), written on the initiative of Metropolitan Macarius, and others. Books intended for everyday use , had relatively small formats, were distinguished by the simplicity of their external and internal appearance. An example of this kind of books is the Arkhangelsk Gospel (1092) - a cheap book, rewritten, apparently, by order of the parish church of a peasant churchyard (format - small four).
With the beginning of the use of paper for the manufacture of books, the size (share) of a paper sheet was taken as the basis for their formats. However, there were still no firmly established paper formats, since they depended on the dimensions of the net for casting the paper sheet, which were set arbitrarily by the paper manufacturer. Over time, master wallets settled on two main sizes: the smaller one - 30x50 cm; the larger one is 50x70, which, however, were definitely not respected.
To designate the format of Russian handwritten books, a conventional unit of measurement was used - ten (Persian dest - right hand).

DIN formats (metric)

Notes:

1. The area of ​​A0 format is 1 sq.m.

2. The "+" sign in the format designation indicates the presence of an allowance compared to standard sizes. The amount of allowance may be different.

3. For roll paper, the width corresponds to the narrow edge of the format, i.e. A1 means a 594mm wide roll. The length of a standard roll for copiers is 175 meters.

Anglo-American Standards Formats

Formats of other international standards.

The ISO 216 A-size paper sizes are shown in the table below in millimeters and inches (values ​​can be converted to cm by dividing the mm value by 10). The picture of the A series paper sizes on the right gives a visual explanation of how the sizes relate to each other - for example, A5 is half the size of A4 and A2 is half the size of A1 paper.

Size chart for paper sizes from 4A0 to A10

Sizes of A-format sheets

* - format A resolution is given for an image density of 300 dpi (pixels per inch).

To get paper sizes in centimeters, convert values ​​from mm to cm by dividing them by 10; to convert values ​​from inches to feet, divide inch values ​​by 12.

4A0 and 2A0 - DIN 476 high-dimensional formats

There are also paper sizes larger than A0 - these are 4A0 and 2A0. These sizes are not described in the ISO 216 standard, but are usually used for large format paper. The origin of these formats comes from the German standard DIN 476, from which ISO 216 was created.

Size A paper size tolerances and tolerances

ISO 216 allows errors in the production of A-size paper up to the following values:
• ± 1.5 mm (0.06 in.) for sizes up to 150 mm (5.9 in.)
• ± 2 mm (0.08 in) for sizes 150 to 600 mm (5.9 to 23.6 in)
• ± 3 mm (0.12 in.) for any dimension above 600 mm (23.6 in.)

Format series A characteristics and properties

ISO 216 characterizes this paper size with the following parameters:
• The length divided by the width of the sheet is equal to the value 1.4142
• Each subsequent dimension A(N) is defined as A(N-1) cut in half parallel to its short side.
• The A0 format has an area of ​​1 square meter.
• The standard length and width of each size is rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Note: the last point is there, because the square root of 2 in the aspect ratio does not always give whole numbers.

International implementation and use of the sheet format

A-size paper sizes are currently in wide use around the world, except for the United States, Canada, and parts of Mexico. The A4 format has become the standard business letter size in English-speaking countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, accustomed to using the imperial numeral system everywhere. In Europe, paper sizes were adopted as a formal standard in the middle of the 20th century, and from there they spread around the world.

Sizes of paper sheets A size and series was last modified: November 2nd, 2016 by admin

Standard printer paper has long been an everyday attribute of the workflow. Its characteristics are known to any office employee, ratings of the best suppliers have been compiled. And the name of the format is on everyone's lips - A4. There are experts who can indicate the exact parameters of the sheet: 29.7 X 21 cm. When it comes to the A3 format, things get a little more complicated. Is it the one that is smaller than A4, or vice versa? Not everyone can immediately decide what kind of sheets they are, and what is the size of A3 paper in centimeters.

How did the formats come about?

The prototypes of formats A and B, similar in size to modern ones, appeared during the French Revolution, at the end of the 18th century. But in general, the characteristics of the paper that is now used in printing, office work, and everyday life are based on the ISO 216 standard (international, European). It was put into circulation more than 40 years ago, replacing the German paper format and differing from the latter in permissible errors.

The cornerstone of the reference system and division into types is a square meter of paper (84.1 X 118.9 cm) - A0 format. The remaining categories, both basic and additional (B and C), are actually formed by dividing these parameters by two. For example, the size of the A3 format in centimeters will differ from A0 by eight times. In addition to the European standard, there are also North American (it is mainly intended for printing electronic documents) and Japanese.

Where is it most commonly used?

Standardization of formats was introduced for the convenience of printing and setting up copiers. Today, category “A” sheets are widely used for office work and printing products. Given the size of A3 paper in centimeters (in fact, two sheets of A4), it is most often used to make:

• posters;
• calendars;
• tabloids;
• posters;
• posters.

This format is preferred when you want to print:

• scale tables;
• scheme;
• blueprints.

Numbers only: A3 sheet size in centimeters

In total, the line of basic formats includes 10 sizes, from A0 to A10. Additional - B (for printing products), C (for printing envelopes). Although, these days, the boundaries between the latter are noticeably blurred, and it is likely that soon there will be a division into office paper for everyday use and premium sheets.

The table of basic paper sizes is shown below.

Thus, the fixed size of A3 paper in centimeters is 42.0 X 29.7 cm. And if the principle of dividing by two from one option to another is preserved, then the units of measurement can change depending on the situation.

Determining the size of A3 paper in centimeters remains the most familiar. But, if necessary, it can be millimeters, inches, as well as pixels and megabytes. If you convert the A3 paper size to centimeters, it turns out that at a resolution of 300 dpi, the sheet will contain 4,961 X 3,508 pixels.

Good paper: other characteristics

A3 paper is often used in printing, so its length and width and their errors (up to 2 mm) can seriously affect the process and the total cost of printing. In addition to the main characteristic, that is, the A3 paper size in centimeters, a number of other parameters are of great importance. We are talking about the type of coating (matte, coated, glossy), density, transparency, thickness, smoothness, whiteness, color, electrical conductivity, humidity.

A3 size office paper can have the following specifications:

• coating - matte;
• density - 80 grams / m²;
• opacity - 91%;
• brightness - 95%.

Much attention is usually paid to the whiteness of the paper: users tend to prefer paper that is as "white" as possible. In addition to prestige, this characteristic is also important for color printing, as it has a significant impact on the final result. The degree of ease of use of paper often depends on its electrical conductivity, because due to the static properties, sheets can stick together.

The choice should always be made in favor of quality paper, which is reflected in the appearance and level of finished products, and also protects printers, copiers and large format printers from wear and tear.

Yes, indeed, these formats are not treason, they have a certain size, which is determined by international standards. It will be the same in Russia and Turkey, for example. Which is very convenient, because we use documents everywhere. They come from the A0 format (there is one). It has an area of ​​one square meter. And everyone else divides it in half and they are already measured. Here's the arithmetic.

Paper sheet formats are determined according to the published and approved standard: GOST2.301-68

The main sizes of sheets of paper produced at all factories in the country are:

• A1 (594841 mm.): Used in professional layout and design;
• A2 (420594 mm.): Professional option for artworks of masters from different fields of art. It is used most often in a printing house for printing banners, by students for diploma and term papers. Fans of DPI will also like this format: it is quite extensive and will harmoniously fit into the surroundings;
• A3 (297420 mm.): 2 times enlarged A4 sheet format; optimal for professional student work assigned in educational institutions. Pictures, floristry, decorative panels, collages, made in this size, look elegant, miniature, are a universal gift for the holiday
• A4 (210297 mm.): a universal option for creative people, especially children who begin to learn to draw. The A4 sheet format is suitable for small sketches with ink, felt-tip pens, pencils, gel pens, as well as for printed materials. Widely and often used in printing houses.

PHOTO: Picture made on A1 sheet format

Depending on the functional purpose, various types of formats, sheets of paper can be processed with special components or have a unique structured surface, for example: watercolor paper, perforated paper, decorative colored paper, pastel paper. When working with oil art devices, thicker, moisture-proof paper is used, most often canvases stretched on a stretcher.



very handy little thing in this matter)) rescued several times already))

In accordance with ISO standards, which are international, paper is divided into a number of series (A, B, C). Below is a table with these series, format and sizes.



As can be seen from the table, A-series paper is mainly used for documents. For paperwork in Russia, A4 paper is used.

Series B paper is usually used for printing products. And C series paper is used for envelopes.

A1 format - 841cm by 594cm - this is the largest format, the so-called drawing paper, A2 format - 420cm by 594cm - this is a sheet of exactly half of whatman paper cut across, A3 format - 297cm by 420cm - this is again cut across the A2 format, but the A4 format - 210cm x 297cm is the most common paper size that is usually printed and xerified.

I used to get confused all the time, although I only use the A4 format, I need other formats for selecting a passport or picture frames. That's thanks to this picture, everything became clear. I am no longer confused. I hope it will come in handy for you too.



The size of the formats of the A series (established by the International Standard for Paper Sizes, ISO 216, based on the metric system of measures, coming from the format of a paper sheet having an area of ​​​​1 m - size A0).

size format: width x length (mm)

For technical documents, formats with a large aspect ratio are used, which are formed by repeatedly applying one of the standard formats along the long side of the sheet. For example, for series A, the following additional formats can be formed.

For the first time I encountered paper formats at the institute. Then only I found out that the format called

A1 has a size of 841 by 594 millimeters,

A2 has a size of 420 by 594 millimeters,

A3 has a size of 297 by 594 millimeters,

but the most popular format, which is now in the office, and in the store, and at the university, is A4. Its format is 210 by 297 millimeters.

The largest format is A0 (841mm by 1189mm.)

Then - A2. A2 will have a size of 420mm. at 594 mm.

After that there will be A3 format. A3 Format has a size of 297 mm by 420 mm.

The smallest format is A4. And we see format 4 almost every day and use it during copiers.

A4 has a size of 210 mm by 297 mm.

I think my answer helped you.

Wish you luck.

A1, A2, A3, A4 are international paper sizes.

The A1 format measures 841 millimeters by 594 millimeters;

The A2 format measures 420 millimeters by 594 millimeters;

The A3 format measures 297 millimeters by 594 millimeters;

The A4 format has a size of 210 millimeters by 297 millimeters (the most common format).



A1 format size - 841x594

A2 size - 420x594

A3 size - 297x420

A4 size - 210x297

All series (A, B, C) of existing paper formats refer to the world standard ISO 216

Sizes of formats A series:

A0 format - 841 cm * 1189 cm

A1 format - 841 cm * 594 cm

A2 format - 420 cm * 594 cm

A3 format - 297 cm * 594 cm

A4 format - 210 cm * 297 cm

A5 format - 148 cm * 210 cm

A6 format - 105 cm * 148 cm

Below is the table of size formats of all series:



The standard paper sheet size complies with ISO 216, the international standard.

The sheet size can be easily calculated by yourself if the sheet size is A0. Its area is 1 square meter and the dimensions are 8411189 mm. The subsequent dimensions of the sheets are obtained by dividing it by half:

A1 594mm x 841mm

A2 420mm x 594mm

A3 297mm x 420mm

A4 210mm x 297mm



Each image format of a file contains information about its width as well as its height in pixels. It is most convenient to judge the image size of the file size in megabytes.

A1 - size in mm - 594 x 841, CMYK 300dpi - 265.5 mb

A2 - size in mm - 420 x 594, CMYK 300dpi - 132.8 mb

A3 - size in mm - 297 x 420, CMYK 300dpi - 66.4 mb

A4 - size in mm - 210 x 297, CMYK 300dpi - 33.2 mb

The use of paper and products from it has firmly entered our everyday life. But few people think that sizes of formats in centimeters, inches are strictly regulated special standards ( GOSTs, ISO etc.). Certain sizes of sheets of paper are used for drawings, others for printing books, booklets. And other formats are created for making envelopes. Don't believe? Then let's dive into the mysterious world of ordinary sheets of paper together.

The formation of world standards

At the end of the XVIII century. the German physicist Lichtenberg made interesting discovery, which, a century and a half later, would influence paper standards around the world. Scientist defined a unique property of the rectangle. Simply put: we have a rectangle whose sides have a ratio equal to the root of two. When "folding" the figure in half along the larger side, in the resulting rectangle, the ratio of length and width remains unchanged.

This unique property was in the early 20th century. laid the foundation for the developer of modern paper formats - Walter Portmann. The system was originally named DIN 476, it unified the existing standards.

From Germany the Portmann standard started "march through Europe". Before the start of World War II, it was recognized in 8 countries (including the USSR). By 1975, it was released in the ISO system and accepted as the official standard of the United Nations. At the moment only Japan, Canada and USA did not accept it as the main one.

world standard

The current standard is based on the principle of the metric system of calculation. The basis is a sheet of paper with an area 1 sq.m. (A0). As already noted, the ratio of length and width is approximately 1/1.414 (or square root of 2).

Includes 3 groups with relatively similar sizes:

• A - the initial (zero) sheet format has an area of ​​\u200b\u200b1 sq.m;
• B - unlike the previous one, in the zero format it has the size of the smallest side of 1 m (the proportions between the sides correspond to the "A" format);
• C - designed for envelopes under the sheet of the "A" series (the original dimensions are increased by about 8%).

The most popular format A4, for technical documentation - A2, less often A3.

Extended Standard

In addition to the main sizes, the use of extended ones is allowed. To do this, the large face of the sheet is increased many times, while the length of the smaller side remains unchanged. At the same time, a 2-fold increase is practically not applied. Such a "deviation" is used for the development of drawings, for example, in architecture.

Interestingly, in USSR, despite the fact that the DIN-476 standard (which is the basis of the world standard) was recognized at the beginning of the 20th century, the designation of paper sizes differed from the generally accepted one. So, for example, for the size "A" there was a designation of 2 digits. This number indicated the number of times how many times it was necessary to “unfold” the base sheet along the long (first digit) and short (second) side. At the same time, sheet A4 was taken as the base, which was designated by the number 11 (A3 - the number 12, etc.).

US standard

The commitment of the New World to the "old" traditions was reflected in paper standards. Standards applied as basic in the US and Canada are built per unit length - inch. They are also used as additional ones in a number of other countries of both Americas.

Standard of the Land of the Rising Sun

Japan, and we are talking about it, also has its own national standard. At the same time, they are not consigned to "oblivion" and "old" formats are used in parallel.

The "A" size parameters correspond to the global classification formats. This is where the matches end. Already the “B” series differs from the previous one not by 1.41 times, as in ISO, but by one and a half. The "C" series is missing altogether.

Paper specification

Having considered the history of the origin of paper and the main dimensions that are used in the world in its production, it is necessary to pay attention to the issue of quality characteristics. If you think that paper should simply be white (well, colored in certain cases), you are mistaken. Please read the information below carefully.

The main items that you need to pay attention to when buying a pack of paper for office equipment include:

• whiteness of the canvas;
• density;
• product quality (grade).

Three important properties of paper

White

It is an important property, as it allows you to evenly reflect the luminous flux in all directions. In this regard, the higher this indicator, the more saturated and high-quality the images on the prints will be.

To increase the indicator, during production, they introduce into the initial substance certain chemical bleaching ingredients. As well as certain dyes that neutralize the yellow color that is inherent in cellulose. The value of whiteness in percent is governed by the relevant standards.

Density

Another important parameter that you should pay attention to when choosing paper is its density. The value of the indicator determines the property of the product when ink is absorbed. The latter should be distributed evenly over the paper, while not penetrating deeply. Therefore, the sheet must have the same density over the entire surface area.

Therefore, when determining the required paper, it is necessary to take into account the existing equipment for which paper is purchased. For laser printers, do not recommend the high density of the paper used, and for "jets" - vice versa.

Another important condition that ensures the density of the sheet is its resistance to bending. During the printing process, paper is subjected to so-called "feed mechanisms". Passing through the rolls, the sheet is deformed. In the case of its high humidity or low density, the likelihood of twisting is high.

Quality

This indicator affects not only the "beauty" of printed information (text, pictures, etc.), but, importantly, the durability and performance of office equipment.

Despite the fact that sheets of paper look almost the same, even with the naked eye you can determine its quality. Low quality paper will have heterogeneous, "grainy" structure. It is a well-known fact that woodworking industry waste is used in the manufacture of sheets. However, the higher the cellulose content in the final product, the lower the quality of the latter. The norm is the content of wood in the final product from 1/5 to 1/2 volume. At a higher content, “spots” of resin will be visible on the paper. Repair of printing equipment after using such paper will more than cover the imaginary savings received from its purchase.

Paper Quality Categories

1 Higher (category A). Paper of the highest quality. Suitable for vehicles of all manufacturers, including high-speed models. Possesses the maximum whiteness and uniform density. Suitable for both single and double sided printing. Foreign impurities are absent.

2 Standard (category B). Products in this category have high quality indicators. It is allowed to use on office equipment, if the manufacturer of the latter does not impose additional restrictions on the consumables used. The most convenient combination of price and quality.

3 Initial (category C). The most budget option that can be used for office equipment. Minimum allowable characteristics of hardness, whiteness, etc. Applicable for printing documents with minimal quality requirements. It is not recommended to print images on such paper.

Paper products that do not meet the specified criteria are not suitable for copiers. Its use, for example, for a printer, is fraught with serious damage to the latter.

Manufacturers

According to the research of the German magazine "Print", the leader among the manufacturers of paper products is the company International Paper (USA). Her annual income is over 29 billion dollars in the production of about 13 million tons of products. The second place is confidently held by the concern Stora Enso(joint Swedish-Finnish company) – order issue 12 million tons of products per year and an income of 10 billion euros. The third place is occupied by the Finns. UPM produces just over 10 million tons of products.

The following paper manufacturers are represented on the domestic market:

Marking

By purchasing paper packaging, the buyer can find out some of the characteristics of the sheets. The manufacturer must indicate on the wrapper:

• sheet size (A3, A4, etc.);
• their number (usually 500 pieces);
• paper density (from 65 to 280 grams per 1 sq. m);
• recommendations for use - for inkjet or laser printers, copiers, printing and more.

Follow these simple tips to help prevent paper deterioration and deterioration:

• paper should be stored in a horizontal position;
• optimal room temperature - 2 0 degrees, humidity should not exceed 50% ;
• exposure to direct sunlight is not desirable;
• factory packaging protects the sheets from moisture, do not store the opened pack outside the package;
• it is not recommended to store paper on the floor to avoid drafts and temperature changes;
• before use, paper that has been stored in a colder room leave for several hours for "acclimatization" (up to 3 days in winter). This will preserve the "correct" structure of the sheet and avoid its deformation.

A bit of paper history

Since ancient times, mankind has been looking for a material that is durable enough and easy to manufacture for writing. By "writing" is meant more than just writing letters. This term has been used to define the process of creating important records − books containing teachings, laws, customs. Used for writing stones, clay tablets, papyrus, birch bark. That is, those natural materials that abounded in a given geographical area.

But most of them had their drawbacks:

• fragility;
• difficulty in processing;
• inconvenience of use and others.

According to scientists and researchers of antiquity, paper was invented in ancient China in the 1st century AD. Initially, it was made from silk threads. They were boiled by adding vegetable glue. Then, using a wooden frame, the resulting substance was removed onto a smooth surface. Dried and pressed. The size of the resulting paper depended on the size of the frame used. Later, in the manufacture began to use hemp fibers, tree bark.

Like everything of value, the secret of paper production was stolen. And already in the second half of the 1st millennium they knew about him in Asia, Egypt, and a little later in Europe.

Europeans continued to improve the technology of paper production. For example, the vegetable adhesive mass was replaced with an animal-based adhesive. These improvements resulted in a more durable material that did not miss the ink used when writing.

The development of paper production in Medieval Europe contributed to the partial mechanization of production. The leader in production was Netherlands. The production capacity of which was provided with paper countries of the European continent and the state of Muscovy(as Rus' was called at that time).

Practically until the beginning of the 19th century. paper was made by hand, in a way that came from China. Rags were used as raw materials - rags made of linen or cotton. The use of wood has become widespread at the beginning of the 19th century. And by the end of the century - paper production becomes the largest branch of industrial production, which uses achievements in the field of mechanical engineering and chemistry.

pre-war paper machine