A5 vs Half Letter
| A5 | Half Letter | |
|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 148 × 210 | 139.7 × 215.9 |
| Inches | 5.83 × 8.27 | 5.5 × 8.5 |
| Centimetres | 14.8 × 21 | 14 × 21.6 |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1.42 | 1:1.55 |
| Area | 310.8 cm² | 301.6 cm² |
Which is bigger
A5, by 3% in area. A5 is 8.3 mm wider than Half Letter. Half Letter is 5.9 mm taller.
Printing one on the other
Neither sheet fits inside the other at full size: A5 is the wider of the two while Half Letter is the taller, so each overruns the other on one edge. Whichever way you go, something has to scale or crop.
| You want | Set the print scale to | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| A5 artwork on Half Letter paper | 94.4% | 0 × 17.7 mm margin |
| Half Letter artwork on A5 paper | 97.3% | 12.1 × 0 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: A5 is 1:1.42 and Half Letter is 1:1.55. 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 17.7 mm of unwanted margin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between A5 and Half Letter?
A5 is 148 × 210 mm and Half Letter is 139.7 × 215.9 mm. A5 is the larger of the two by 3% in area.
Can I print A5 on Half Letter?
Not at full size. Scale it to 94.4% and it fits inside Half Letter with 0 × 17.7 mm to spare.
Which is bigger, A5 or Half Letter?
A5 — 148 × 210 mm against 139.7 × 215.9 mm, which is 3% more area.
A5 in full · Half Letter in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes