Are you in or new to Australia? Have you ever wondering about the right dimensions of the paper you would like to print!? If so, here is the Australian paper size guide according to ISO and is strictly followed throughout the Australia. Make use of the following chart as your reference guide for paper and envelop sizes in Australia. This is the perfect way to plan your next project with right designs, dimensions, and print sizes of a paper.
It is highly recommended to always check for right paper dimensions where ever you are in this world as printers worldwide have different paper measurements.
Australian Paper Sizes
Actually, standard Australian paper and envelope sizes are determined by “The international paper size standard, i.e. ISO”. ISO stands for International Standards Organization. ISO decides the dimensions of paper sizes based on aspect ratio of square root of 2 because it gives the perfect scaling aspects. That means, if we cut the paper sheet into two equal and parallel halves to its shortest sides, then the resulted halves also bears the same aspect ratio of square root of 2.
If you are dealing with overseas printing, we are providing you the reference guide that makes you an international expert in printing with right dimensions and perfect quality in commercial printing, brochures, calendars, catalogs, post cards, etc.
A series paper size dimensions chart
In general, the A series paper sizes and dimensions are determined by ISO 216 standard which are mentioned in the chart given below in two different categories such as millimeters and inches. The USA and some other countries take letter size as its standard but in Australia A4 size paper is the standard. To make it easy for you, we have created a simple and easily understandable chart with proper dimensions and conversions. This chart gives a great visual representation of paper sizes and dimensions and how are they related!
A Series Paper Size Tolerances
ISO 216 identifies the following tolerances for the purposes of printing and production of ‘A’ series paper sizes:
- ±1.5 mm (0.05 in) for dimensions up to 150 mm (5.8 in)
- ±2 mm (0.08 in) for lengths in the range of 150 to 600 mm (5.8 to 23.5 in)
- ±3 mm (0.12 in) for dimensions above 600 mm (23.5 in)
We also see over sized papers in over sized formats which are referred when the paper sizes are bigger than A0, 2A0, and 4A0. German DIN 476 standard is the original base document or origin of ISO 216 and even the over sized formats are derived from German DIN 476.
ISO 216 defines the A series paper sizes by following certain criteria i.e.
- The A0 size is defined to have an area of 1 square meter
- Length is divided by its width
- The standard length and width of ‘A’ series paper size can be rounded off to nearest millimeter.
- Each subsequent A4 size paper should be cut into equal and parallel halves to its shortest sides.
Size Width x Height (mm) Width x Height (in)
4A0 1685 x 2380 mm 66.4 x 93.5 in
2A0 1190 x 1685 mm 46.5 x 66.4 in
A0 840 x 1190 mm 33.3 x 46.8 in
A1 595 x 841 mm 23.4 x 33.1 in
A2 420 x 594 mm 16.5 x 23.4 in
A3 297 x 420 mm 11.7 x 16.5 in
A4 210 x 297 mm 8.3 x 11.7 in
A5 150 x 215 mm 5.8 x 8.5 in
A6 105 x 148 mm 4.1 x 5.8 in
A7 75 x 105 mm 2.9 x 4.3 in
A8 53 x 75 mm 2.1 x 2.9 in
A9 38 x 52 mm 1.5 x 2.0 in
A10 26 x 38 mm 1.0 x 1.5 in
Let us see the B series Paper Sizes
B0 1001 x 1415 mm 40 x 55.5 in
B1 700 x 1000 mm 27.8 x 39.5 in
B2 500 x 705 mm 19.5 x 27.5 in
B3 355 x 500 mm 14 x 19.5 in
B4 260 x 358 mm 9.5 x 13.5 in
B5 175 x 255 mm 7 x 9.5 in
B6 126 x 178 mm 5 x 7 in
B7 85 x 125 mm 3.5 x 4.5 in
B8 65 x 88 mm 2.5 x 3.5 in
C Series Paper Sizes
C0 915 x 1295 36.3 x 51.2
C1 650 x 915 25.5 x 36.1
C2 460 x 650 18.2 x 25.6
C3 325 x 458 12.6 x 18.1
C4 230 x 325 9.0 x 12.8
C5 162 x 230 6.4 x 9.2
C6 115 x 162 4.5 x 6.5
C7 81 x 115 3.2 x 4.5
C8 57 x 81 2.2 x 3.2
Standard Envelop Sizes in Australia
Millimetres Inches
DL Envelope Size 115 x 225 4.35 x 8.65
DLX Envelope Size 124 x 238 4.75 x 9.27
C3 Envelope Size 455 x 324 18.05 x 12.80
C4 Envelope Size 324 x 230 12.80 x 9.01
C5 Envelope Size 230 x 162 9.05 x 6.38
C6 Envelope Size 114 x 162 4.49 x 6.38
B4 Envelope Size 355 x 255 13.9 x 9.85
B5 Envelope Size 250 x 176 9.84 x 6.93
B6 Envelope Size 175 x 128 6.95 x 4.95
Sheet Sizes by Name
| Millimetres | Inches | |
| Letter | 215 x 285 | 8.5 x 11.1 |
| Legal | 218 x 355 | 8.5 x 14.2 |
| Half Letter | 145 x 216 | 5.5 x 8.5 |
| Executive | 186 x 265 | 7.25 x 10.5 |
| Govt. Legal | 215 x 335 | 8.5 x 13.0 |
| Govt. Letter | 205 x 265 | 8.0 x 10.6 |
| F4 | 215 x 335 | 8.29 x 13.2 |
| Broadsheet | 457 x 615 | 18.0 x 24.02 |
What Size do paper sizes need to be printed in general?
Flyers: A4, A5, A6, DL
Posters: A3, A2, A1
Invitations: A5, A6, DL
Letterheads: A4
House Plans: A0, B1, A1, A2
Postcards: A6
With Comp Slips: DL
Paper weights and Paper Types
Following standard measurements of paper size, weight, and type gives an effective impact or impression on your customers. There is a common belief that heavier paper sounds of high quality paper whereas lighter paper sounds cheap and are of less quality. This is how the paper weight also takes vital role in standard paper sizes. As we already discussed about the standard paper sizes, let us know about paper weights and types.
Commonly used paper types in printing
The two most common paper types generally used are as follows and let us learn about the differences between these two papers:
Coated paper: Coated papers is a type of paper which is coated with certain mixture of materials in order to give specific look and qualities to the paper i.e. surface gloss, smoothness, finishing, paper weight, and ink absorbency. In simple words, it conveys the impression of quality which you would like to give to your customers. Coated papers are in high demand for printing purposes as they provide sharper and brighter images and much superior surface.
Uncoated paper: Uncoated papers are mostly used for general purposes which is of low cost and serves the basic paper quality in printing. They are rough and very porous in finishing compared to coated ones and hence absorbs high amount of inks. But the uncoated papers easily absorbs ink because of its porous nature and makes the paper dry so faster and allows to write easily on the surface. Uncoated paper is great if you want to give a ‘natural’ and ‘earthier’ look to your paper.
Paper Weights
Paper weight is one of the most crucial variables that affects your paper quality, size, writing experience, and customer’s impression. To measure the paper weight, Aussies generally use ‘gsm’, stands for ‘grams per square meter’. GSM tells weight of the paper per square meter. Higher the gsm means the more the paper weight. Consider the following common factors while deciding on your next project that involves paper as the main element.
- 50gsm-70gsm: Lightweight paper which is an ideal quality for deciding on making note books. It also has a limitation that is it shows writing on the other side.
- 80gsm-110gsm: Good weight paper with good characteristics of reducing show through, being light and flat.
- 120gsm-240gsm: Heavier weight paper which allows to write on both sides with very less show through. It is not ideal for making notebooks since it is bulkier and thicker. Best example is ‘sketch paper’.
- Above 250gsm: Much heavier stock papers mostly used by artists, to prepare business and wedding cards or invitations. Less suitable for writing on these papers.
International Usage of Paper size standards
A series papers are mostly used all over the world except the countries like US, Canada, and some parts of Mexico. A4 size papers are the standard paper size in English speaking countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and UK. A3 or super A3 paper sizes are not standard ISO 216 paper size since it has dimensions of 329mm x 483mm and aspect ratio of 1: 1468 instead of 1: root 2.
So here are the standard paper sizes in Australia. Using standard sizes is an effective way for better utilization of paper and envelops matching standard measurements most commonly used in printing and packaging.
