Selecting the correct paper format depends heavily on your printing region, project scale, and mailing constraints. Below is a quick-reference guide of standard sizing selections for common projects:
| Project Type | Standard Format (International) | Standard Format (US & Canada) | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resume / CV | A4 (210 × 297 mm) | US Letter (8.5 × 11 in) | Region-locked. US & Canada require Letter to avoid clipping in office binders. |
| Marketing Flyer | A5 (148 × 210 mm) | Half Letter (5.5 × 8.5 in) | A5 is highly cost-effective as it is exactly half of an A4 sheet. |
| Standard Poster | A2 (420 × 594 mm) or A1 | Tabloid (11 × 17 in) | A2 works best for indoor notice boards, while A1 is popular for billboards and theaters. |
| Business Letter | A4 | US Letter | Standard office correspondence default sizes. |
| Mailing Envelope | DL, C4, or C5 | #10 Envelope or 9x12 | Use C4 for flat A4, C5 for A4 folded in half, and DL for A4 folded in thirds (trifold). |
For most international resumes and CVs, A4 (210 × 297 mm) is the standard choice. In the United States and Canada, US Letter (8.5 × 11 inches) is more commonly used. If an employer or application system specifies a size, follow its requirements.
A5 and A4 are common choices for printed flyers. A5 works well for handouts and smaller promotional flyers, while A4 provides more space for information, images, and larger designs.
The best poster size depends on viewing distance and available space. A3 works well for smaller posters, while A2, A1, and A0 are better for larger displays. Choose a larger format when the poster needs to be readable from farther away.
A4 and A5 are common brochure sizes, depending on the amount of content and the final folded size. The paper size should also account for the type of fold, such as a bi-fold or tri-fold.
Use A4 (210 × 297 mm) in most countries that follow ISO paper standards. Use US Letter (8.5 × 11 inches) when the document is intended for the United States or another Letter-size workflow.
A4 is a common choice for certificates, while A3 can be used when a larger presentation format is preferred. The best choice depends on the intended display and printing requirements.
The correct envelope size depends on what you are putting inside it. For example, a C4 envelope fits A4 paper without folding, while C5 fits A4 folded once and C6 fits A4 folded twice.
A5, A6, and DL are common choices for printed invitations. The best size depends on the amount of information, design, envelope, and whether the invitation will be folded.
Common architectural drawing sizes include A3, A2, A1, A0, and architectural formats such as ARCH A through ARCH E. Larger drawings generally require larger paper sizes so plans and dimensions remain readable.
For a digital presentation, the screen format matters more than physical paper size, with 16:9 being a common widescreen format. For a printed presentation or handout, A4 or US Letter are common choices.
Choose based on what you are making, where it will be used, how it will be displayed or printed, and how much content it needs to hold. The Paper Size Recommender uses these factors to suggest a suitable standard size and alternatives.
Use A4 for most international and metric-based document workflows and US Letter for most US and Canadian workflows. If the recipient, printer, employer, or submission system specifies a size, use that size instead.
Yes. If none of the standard paper sizes fit your project, you can use a custom paper size. Custom sizes are common for specialized printing, artwork, signage, packaging, and other projects with specific dimensions.