Paper comes in many different sizes, but the United States uses a different standard system from most countries. While much of the world uses the international ISO paper-size system, including A4, the U.S. commonly uses sizes such as Letter, Legal, and Tabloid.
Understanding paper sizes makes it easier to choose the right paper for printing, documents, presentations, posters, brochures, and other projects. The most common U.S. paper size is Letter, which measures 8.5 × 11 inches.
Common U.S. Paper Sizes
The following are some of the most common paper sizes used in the United States:
| Paper Size | Inches | Millimeters | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letter | 8.5 × 11 in | 216 × 279 mm | Letters, forms, schoolwork, office documents |
| Legal | 8.5 × 14 in | 216 × 356 mm | Legal documents, contracts |
| Junior Legal | 5 × 8 in | 127 × 203 mm | Notebooks, forms, small documents |
| Ledger | 11 × 17 in | 279 × 432 mm | Spreadsheets, drawings, newsletters |
| Tabloid | 11 × 17 in | 279 × 432 mm | Newspapers, brochures, posters |
| Executive | 7.25 × 10.5 in | 184 × 267 mm | Business correspondence, stationery |
| Statement | 5.5 × 8.5 in | 140 × 216 mm | Small forms, booklets, correspondence |
Letter Size Paper
Letter paper is the standard paper size for everyday documents in the United States. It measures 8.5 × 11 inches, or approximately 216 × 279 millimeters.
Letter-size paper is widely used for business letters, school assignments, resumes, invoices, reports, forms, and general office printing. Most home and office printers are designed to handle Letter paper as their default size.
Letter paper has a 1:1.294 aspect ratio. This differs from the 1:√2 ratio used by the international A-series paper system.
Legal Size Paper
Legal paper measures 8.5 × 14 inches (216 × 356 mm). Its additional length makes it useful for documents that need more room than standard Letter paper provides.
Legal-size paper is commonly associated with contracts, legal forms, agreements, and other professional documents. Printers and copiers that support multiple paper sizes often include a Legal setting.
Tabloid and Ledger Paper
Tabloid and Ledger paper both measure 11 × 17 inches (279 × 432 mm). The names generally refer to the same dimensions, although the orientation can differ.
Tabloid is often used for newspapers, newsletters, brochures, flyers, posters, and other larger-format documents. Ledger is frequently associated with spreadsheets, charts, architectural drawings, and business documents.
When printed in landscape orientation, 11 × 17-inch paper can provide a useful amount of space for wide tables and detailed layouts.
Executive Paper
Executive paper measures 7.25 × 10.5 inches (184 × 267 mm). It is smaller than Letter paper and is commonly used for business stationery, correspondence, forms, and other professional documents.
Although Executive is less common than Letter, it remains a recognized U.S. paper size and is available from many paper suppliers.
Statement Paper
Statement paper measures 5.5 × 8.5 inches (140 × 216 mm). It is essentially half the size of Letter paper when Letter is divided across its shorter dimension.
Statement-size paper can be used for small forms, booklets, invoices, notices, and other compact documents.
U.S. vs. International Paper Sizes
One of the biggest differences between U.S. and international paper standards is the size used for everyday documents.
The United States commonly uses Letter (8.5 × 11 inches), while many other countries use A4 (210 × 297 mm).
Although Letter and A4 are similar in size, they are not identical. Letter paper is slightly wider and slightly shorter than A4. This difference can affect document formatting, margins, page breaks, and printing.
The international ISO 216 system also includes A, B, and C series paper sizes. These sizes are designed around a consistent mathematical aspect ratio, allowing sheets to be scaled while preserving their proportions.
Letter vs. A4
| Feature | Letter | A4 |
|---|---|---|
| Inches | 8.5 × 11 in | 8.27 × 11.69 in |
| Millimeters | 216 × 279 mm | 210 × 297 mm |
| Common Region | United States and Canada | Most of the world |
| Common Uses | Office documents, schoolwork, forms | Office documents, printing, forms |
When moving documents between U.S. and international systems, it is important to check the paper-size setting. A document designed for Letter paper may reflow when printed on A4, and an A4 document may produce different page breaks when printed on Letter paper.
Paper Size Dimensions
Paper dimensions are normally listed by width × height. For example, Letter paper is 8.5 inches wide and 11 inches tall when held in portrait orientation.
The same sheet can be rotated into landscape orientation without changing its physical dimensions. In landscape orientation, Letter paper is 11 × 8.5 inches.
Paper measurements may be given in inches, millimeters, or centimeters. U.S. paper sizes are commonly described in inches, while international paper sizes are usually described in millimeters.
Choosing the Right Paper Size
The right paper size depends on what you are creating.
For everyday office documents, Letter is usually the standard choice in the United States. For longer contracts and legal documents, Legal provides additional vertical space. For newsletters, spreadsheets, presentations, and larger layouts, Tabloid or Ledger can provide a larger working area.
Before printing, check both the document’s page size and the printer’s paper setting. Using different paper sizes can cause text, images, and page breaks to shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard paper size in the U.S.?
The standard U.S. paper size for everyday documents is Letter, which measures 8.5 × 11 inches (216 × 279 mm).
What is the difference between Letter and Legal paper?
Both Letter and Legal paper are 8.5 inches wide. Legal paper is longer, measuring 14 inches compared with Letter’s 11 inches.
Is A4 the same as Letter?
No. A4 measures 210 × 297 mm, while Letter measures 216 × 279 mm. The two sizes are similar but have different dimensions.
What size is 11 × 17 paper?
11 × 17-inch paper is commonly called Tabloid or Ledger in the United States. It measures approximately 279 × 432 mm.
What paper size should I use for a resume?
Letter size, 8.5 × 11 inches, is the standard choice for resumes in the United States.
What paper size is commonly used for legal documents?
Legal-size paper, measuring 8.5 × 14 inches, is traditionally used for many legal documents and forms. However, the appropriate size can vary depending on the document and organization.
U.S. Paper Size Reference
Whether you are printing a letter, preparing a report, designing a brochure, or creating a large presentation, knowing the available paper sizes can help you choose the right format.
Letter: 8.5 × 11 in
Legal: 8.5 × 14 in
Executive: 7.25 × 10.5 in
Statement: 5.5 × 8.5 in
Tabloid: 11 × 17 in
Ledger: 11 × 17 in
Understanding these dimensions also makes it easier to work with international paper standards. If you regularly exchange documents with people in other countries, knowing the difference between U.S. Letter and ISO A4 can help prevent formatting and printing problems.