A1 vs A2

Q: Can I print A1 on A2?

Not at full size. Scale it to 70.6% and it fits inside A2 with 0.5 × 0 mm to spare.

	A1	A2
Millimetres	594 × 841	420 × 594
Inches	23.39 × 33.11	16.54 × 23.39
Centimetres	59.4 × 84.1	42 × 59.4
Aspect ratio	1:1.42	1:1.41
Area	4995.5 cm²	2494.8 cm²

Which is bigger

A1 and A2 are one step apart in the A series, so one is exactly twice the other. Two A2 sheets side by side make an A1, and folding an A1 in half across its long edge gives two A2. That is what the series is for, and it is why the scale factors below come out at 70.7% and 141.4% — one over the square root of two, and the square root of two.

A1 is 174 mm wider than A2. A1 is 247 mm taller.

Printing one on the other

A A2 page fits inside A1 whole — print it at 100% and you get a 87 mm border down each side and 123.5 mm top and bottom.

You want	Set the print scale to	Leaves
A1 artwork on A2 paper	70.6%	0.5 × 0 mm margin
A2 artwork on A1 paper	141.4%	0 × 0.9 mm margin

These are the numbers for the "custom scale" box in a print dialog. "Fit to page" computes the same thing, but knowing the figure tells you in advance whether the result will look deliberate or accidental.

Why the shapes matter

The proportions differ: A1 is 1:1.42 and A2 is 1:1.41. That difference is why a layout moved between them never quite lines up — scale it to fit one edge and the other is left with 0.5 mm of unwanted margin.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between A1 and A2?

A1 is 594 × 841 mm and A2 is 420 × 594 mm. A1 is the larger of the two by 100.2% in area.

Can I print A1 on A2?

Not at full size. Scale it to 70.6% and it fits inside A2 with 0.5 × 0 mm to spare.

Which is bigger, A1 or A2?

A1 — 594 × 841 mm against 420 × 594 mm, which is 100.2% more area.

Related comparisons

A1 in full · A2 in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes