The A4 size is the most common paper size in many countries. Almost everyone knows what the paper size is called that you find in most home printers. But what about the rest of the world? We look at and compare the A4 paper size in the USA and the United Kingdom.
The standard paper size in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, A4 is the most commonly used paper size, just like in the Netherlands. You’ll come across an A4 at least once a day because it is used for a lot of purposes, from print paper to letter paper. And from calendars to notebooks, brochures and menus.
The dimensions for A4 paper are – also in the United Kingdom – in millimetres 297 x 210 mm. Where the length is 297 millimeters and the width 210 millimeters (29.7 x 21 cm / 8.27 x 11.69 in).
The standard paper size in the USA
In the United States, things are just a little bit different when it comes to paper sizes. Especially in North America. Because there the A-sizes are not the standard. Instead of A4 paper, they use US Letter as the standard paper size in the United States. Letter paper has dimensions of 8.5 x 11 inches. They are converted 216 x 279 mm.
However, if you are going to write and/or send a formal letter, Americans use the Legal size for that. This paper size is as wide as the Letter, but just a bit longer. Namely 8.5 x 14 inches (216 x 356 mm).
In the United States, therefore, slightly different paper sizes are used than in the United Kingdom or the Netherlands. Whereas in Europe the A4 paper size is the standard, in America it is the US Letter.
Read more about American paper sizes.
