Standard paper sizes, in mm and cm
The full A series, plus the usual sizes for business cards, flyers, posters and roll-ups.
Choosing the right size is one of the first steps in any print project. Whether you are preparing a flyer, a poster, a brochure or a large print, the format shapes both the final look and the production cost.
This guide covers the most widely used paper sizes and the standard formats you will come across in advertising production.
The A series is the standard most print shops work with. Each size is the previous one divided in two, keeping the same proportions. That means a design made for A4 can be adapted to A3 or A5 with very little change to the layout.
| Format | Millimetres | Centimetres | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 × 1189 mm | 84.1 × 118.9 cm | large posters, technical drawings |
| A1 | 594 × 841 mm | 59.4 × 84.1 cm | window posters, indoor boards |
| A2 | 420 × 594 mm | 42 × 59.4 cm | event posters |
| A3 | 297 × 420 mm | 29.7 × 42 cm | menus, small posters, presentations |
| A4 | 210 × 297 mm | 21 × 29.7 cm | product sheets, letterheads, flyers |
| A5 | 148 × 210 mm | 14.8 × 21 cm | flyers, invitations, brochures |
| A6 | 105 × 148 mm | 10.5 × 14.8 cm | postcards, coupons |
| A7 | 74 × 105 mm | 7.4 × 10.5 cm | labels, tickets |
Common sizes outside the A series
Alongside the A series, there are formats used regularly for advertising and promotional materials. These sizes follow the product itself and the way it is used.
| Product | Usual size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business card | 85 × 55 mm | square or 3 mm rounded corners |
| DL flyer | 99 × 210 mm | fits a standard DL envelope |
| A4 tri-fold | 210 × 297 mm folded to 99 × 210 mm | the inner panel is made 1 mm narrower |
| Roll-up | 85 × 200 cm | useful artwork starts 15 cm above the base |
| Outdoor banner | any size | add a hem and eyelets every 50 cm |
| City Light poster | 118.5 × 175 cm | standard street furniture format |
How to specify a size correctly
- ✔ Always give the finished size of the product, not the size of the press sheet.
- ✔ State the orientation, portrait or landscape, so there is no room for misreading.
- ✔ If you are unsure which size works best, ask the production team for a recommendation before the artwork is created.
- ✔ For custom or large format materials, the size follows the mounting space and the viewing distance.
Which size should I choose?
| Material | Recommended size |
|---|---|
| Promotional flyer | A5 or A6 |
| Brochure | A4 |
| Indoor poster | A3 |
| Promotional poster | A2 |
| Event poster | A1 |
| Information board | A0 |
Frequently asked questions
What size is A4?
A4 measures 210 × 297 mm and is the most common size for documents, leaflets and brochures.
Which size works best for a flyer?
In most cases A5 is the ideal choice, since it gives you enough room for the information and is easy to hand out.
Can I order materials in a custom size?
Yes. Many advertising products are made to custom sizes, depending on the project and the space available.
Does orientation matter?
Yes. The same format can be used in portrait or landscape, depending on the design and the purpose of the material.
Need help choosing the right size?
Not sure which format suits your project? The LOOP DESIGN ADVERTISING team can recommend the best size based on the type of material, how it will be used and your budget.