A1 vs A3

Q: Can I print A1 on A3?

Not at full size. Scale it to 49.9% and it fits inside A3 with 0.4 × 0 mm to spare.

	A1	A3
Millimetres	594 × 841	297 × 420
Inches	23.39 × 33.11	11.69 × 16.54
Centimetres	59.4 × 84.1	29.7 × 42
Aspect ratio	1:1.42	1:1.41
Area	4995.5 cm²	1247.4 cm²

Which is bigger

A1 is 4 times the area of A3. They are 2 steps apart in the A series and each step halves the sheet, so the multiple is two to the power of 2. The number in the name going up while the sheet goes down is why this has to be asked rather than read off.

A1 is 297 mm wider than A3. A1 is 421 mm taller.

Printing one on the other

A A3 page fits inside A1 whole — print it at 100% and you get a 148.5 mm border down each side and 210.5 mm top and bottom.

You want	Set the print scale to	Leaves
A1 artwork on A3 paper	49.9%	0.4 × 0 mm margin
A3 artwork on A1 paper	200%	0 × 1 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 A3 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 0.4 mm of unwanted margin.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between A1 and A3?

A1 is 594 × 841 mm and A3 is 297 × 420 mm. A1 is the larger of the two by 300.5% in area.

Can I print A1 on A3?

Not at full size. Scale it to 49.9% and it fits inside A3 with 0.4 × 0 mm to spare.

Which is bigger, A1 or A3?

A1 — 594 × 841 mm against 297 × 420 mm, which is 300.5% more area.

Related comparisons

A1 in full · A3 in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes