B1 vs B3

Q: Can I print B1 on B3?

Not at full size. Scale it to 49.9% and it fits inside B3 with 0 × 0.7 mm to spare.

	B1	B3
Millimetres	707 × 1000	353 × 500
Inches	27.83 × 39.37	13.9 × 19.69
Centimetres	70.7 × 100	35.3 × 50
Aspect ratio	1:1.41	1:1.42
Area	7070 cm²	1765 cm²

Which is bigger

B1 is 4 times the area of B3. They are 2 steps apart in the B 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.

B1 is 354 mm wider than B3. B1 is 500 mm taller.

Printing one on the other

A B3 page fits inside B1 whole — print it at 100% and you get a 177 mm border down each side and 250 mm top and bottom.

You want	Set the print scale to	Leaves
B1 artwork on B3 paper	49.9%	0 × 0.7 mm margin
B3 artwork on B1 paper	200%	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: B1 is 1:1.41 and B3 is 1:1.42. 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 0.7 mm of unwanted margin.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between B1 and B3?

B1 is 707 × 1000 mm and B3 is 353 × 500 mm. B1 is the larger of the two by 300.6% in area.

Can I print B1 on B3?

Not at full size. Scale it to 49.9% and it fits inside B3 with 0 × 0.7 mm to spare.

Which is bigger, B1 or B3?

B1 — 707 × 1000 mm against 353 × 500 mm, which is 300.6% more area.

Related comparisons

B1 in full · B3 in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes