A4 Paper Size Vs. Letter
By Roland Gutzky Jr.
Development of Sizes
The A4 Size
Letter Size
References
Prepressure: Paper sizes
http://www.prepressure.com/library/paper-size
By Roland Gutzky Jr.
The standard size office paper in the United States is 8.5 inches wide and 11 inches tall. This is not the case in the remainder of the world, where A4 is more popular.
Development of Sizes
- According to the International Organization of Standardization (ISO), attempts at establishing international standards for paper sizes started as early as the late 18th century.
- The first such standard was developed in Germany in 1922 and was slowly adopted by several European countries. Finally, in 1961, the ISO published, ISO/R 216, which established standards for "A" sizes. In 1975, an updated version was passed and supersedes the 1961 standard.
The A4 Size
- A4 is an internationally recognized paper size that measures 8.27 inches wide and 11.69 inches tall. All "A" sizes have an aspect ratio of 1:1.41. The largest size, A0, measures 1 square meter. Progressing through the sizes is achieved by halving the sheet parallel to the shortest side; hence an A3 is twice the size of an A4.
- Envelope sizes have a "C" prefix and are sized according to the folding of an A4 sheet; C5 will fit an A4 folded once, C6 fits an A4 folded twice, etc.
Letter Size
- Letter size paper refers to paper 8.5 inches wide and 11 inches tall. Letter size is a recognized standard adopted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
- Letter size envelopes, typically called #10 size, measure 9.25 inches wide and 4.125 inches tall. However, letter size, as described by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), is any piece wider than 5 inches but less than 11.5 inches and at least 3.5 inches tall, but less than 6.25 inches tall.
- Unlike the ISO standards such as A4, letter size can have different meanings depending upon who is referring to it.
References
Prepressure: Paper sizes
http://www.prepressure.com/library/paper-size