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Difference Between A4 and A5 Size Paper

A4 vs A5 Size Paper
 

The difference between A4 and A5 size papers is in their dimensions. In fact, area wise A5 paper is half of A4 paper. May be you have no interest in knowing some exciting facts about international paper sizes as you do not need to make use of different paper sizes every now and then. Still, it makes sense to know the difference between standard paper sizes, which have been cleverly designed according to ISO 216 and ISO 269, so that there is no confusion in whichever part of the world you are in. A4 is the most popular size of paper and finds maximum uses in offices and official documents. A5 is also important, and that makes it necessary for you to know the differences between A4 and A5.

All paper sizes defined in ISO 216 (there are two series namely A, B) and ISO 269 ( series C) are in an aspect ratio of one to square root of 2. This implies that every next size in the series can be obtained by halving the earlier size along the shorter side, and the aspect ratio is not changed. Every series (A, B, or C) begins with 0 and goes up to 10. The number tells us how many times the paper has been halved. We begin with A0 and halve it along the shorter side (length halved) to get A1, and so on.

What is A4 Size Paper?

A4 is the most commonly used paper size. The actual dimensionsof A4 size paper is 210mm × 297mm or 8.27 inch × 11.69 inch. ISO is a standard that has been accepted by nearly all countries of the world except the US, Canada, and Mexico. In these countries, the paper sizes are differently standardized. The commonly used sizes in these countries are letter, legal, ledger, and tabloid. The paper size that is close to A4 in the US standard is letter, which measures 215.9 mm × 279.4 mm.

A4 size paper is used for letters and other official documents. To be more specific, A4 is mostly used in writing letters, computer printouts such as assignments and such, as well as for record keeping.

What is A5 Size Paper?

The size of A5 paper in inches is 5.83 × 8.27. In millimeters, A5 is 148 × 210mm. A5 paper is what you get when you separate the A4 paper in half.

Since it is smaller in size A5 paper has a number of uses. It is used to print flyers and leaftlets. Also, you will see that small notebooks in this size paper exist as it takes less space to carry those notebooks.

What is the difference between A4 and A5 Size Paper?

A4 and A5 are popular paper sizes in the world. When A4 is folded at the centre along its shorter side, we get A5 size paper, which is 148 mm × 210mm or 5.83 × 8.27 inches. A4 is found to be large for hand written letters, and a lot of paper gets wasted while A5 is also not fit as it is too short for hand written letters. However, A4 is the standard letter size while A5 is considered fit for tabloids. A4 size paper can be folded into A5 size, which is a good fit into a C5 envelope.

• Dimensions in Inches:

• A4 paper is 8.27 × 11. 69 inches in size.

• A5 paper is 5.83 × 8.27 inches in size.

• Dimensions in Millimeters:

• A4 paper is 210 × 297mm.

• A5 paper is 148 × 210mm.

• ISO Connection:

• A4 and A5 are sizes next to each other in the A series in ISO 216.

• Uses:

• A4 is mostly used in writing letters, computer printouts such as assignments and such, as well as for record keeping.

• A5 size paper is used for flyers, leaflets, notebooks, attendance pads, interview pads, telephone message pads, greeting cards, etc.

• Comparison of Sizes:

• One A4 sheet is the combination of two A5 sheets.

• Two A5 sheets make one A4 sheet.

These are the difference between A4 and A5 size paper. So, just remember one simple fact. Before you buy paper, think about the task for which you want paper. According to that decide the paper you want to buy. If the paper you buy and the task you want to do with the paper do not match that will be a waste of money and material. So, only buy paper once you have decided the task.

 

Images Courtesy:

  1. Colored paper by MichaelMaggs (CC BY-SA 3.0)
  2. A5 greeting card by Jim Cunliffe (CC BY 2.0)