Paper Size Conversion Calculator

This online paper size conversion calculator will help you to convert between different paper sizes and formats.

The converter is very easy to use. Simply select the options that you require from two drop-down menus:

  1. Select the size of the paper that you want to convert
  2. Select the units of conversion

Click on the "Convert" button to see the dimensions.

Paper Size Calculator

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Reference

While a range of paper size standards is in use at present, two systems are particularly common: The North American system and the international system, which is also referred to as ISO 216.

As the name indicates, the international system is a global scheme that is used across the globe. It is also known as ISO paper. What differentiates the international system from its North American counterpart is that it encompasses a format that has an aspect ratio equal to the square root of two (1.414). As such, it is a convenient system that makes it easy to change the size or format of a document from printing in an alternative ISO size or format. The most commonly used series within the ISO standard is the A-series, of which the A4 format is particularly popular. All paper sizes within the A-series have a name that starts with A followed by a number. The smaller the number, the larger the paper.

In addition to the A-series, there are also the B and C series. The B series extends the range of paper sizes available in the A-series, while the C series is limited to envelopes.

Unlike the international system, which has a consistent aspect ratio, the North American system is derived from traditional formats and span more random aspect ratios. The most commonly used paper sizes within the North American system are Letter (8.5 x 11 inches), Legal (8.5 x 14 inches), and Tabloid (11 x 17 inches). The Letter format is the equivalent of the ISO A4 format in terms of its popularity in business and educational use. However, the dimensions of the two are not the same.

The ANSI/ASME Y14.1 standard was adopted by the American National Standards Institute in 1995. The various formats available within this standard are represented by ANSI followed by a letter. However, since the introduction of the system, the traditional approach has remained the most commonly employed.

The paper formats that are available within the ANSI are comparable to those on offer in the ISO standard in that dividing a sheet in half will generate two sheets in the next size.

However, there are some fundamental differences between the systems in terms of the size and aspect ratio. The aspect ratio of the ANSI sizes varies between 22/17 = 1.294 and 17/11 = 1.545. This entails that it is more challenging and less systematic to enlarge or reduce a page to fit alternative ANSI formats than it is with the ISO system. You will probably end up with margins that are different from those on the original page.

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