B1 vs B2

Q: Can I print B1 on B2?

Not at full size. Scale it to 70.7% and it fits inside B2 with 0.2 × 0 mm to spare.

	B1	B2
Millimetres	707 × 1000	500 × 707
Inches	27.83 × 39.37	19.69 × 27.83
Centimetres	70.7 × 100	50 × 70.7
Aspect ratio	1:1.41	1:1.41
Area	7070 cm²	3535 cm²

Which is bigger

B1 and B2 are one step apart in the B series, so one is exactly twice the other. Two B2 sheets side by side make a B1, and folding a B1 in half across its long edge gives two B2. 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.

B1 is 207 mm wider than B2. B1 is 293 mm taller.

Printing one on the other

A B2 page fits inside B1 whole — print it at 100% and you get a 103.5 mm border down each side and 146.5 mm top and bottom.

You want	Set the print scale to	Leaves
B1 artwork on B2 paper	70.7%	0.2 × 0 mm margin
B2 artwork on B1 paper	141.4%	0 × 0.3 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

Both sheets have the same 1:1.41 proportions, so artwork scales between them without any cropping or extra margin — only the size changes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between B1 and B2?

B1 is 707 × 1000 mm and B2 is 500 × 707 mm. B1 is the larger of the two by 100% in area.

Can I print B1 on B2?

Not at full size. Scale it to 70.7% and it fits inside B2 with 0.2 × 0 mm to spare.

Which is bigger, B1 or B2?

B1 — 707 × 1000 mm against 500 × 707 mm, which is 100% more area.

Related comparisons

B1 in full · B2 in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes