B1 vs B5

Q: Can I print B1 on B5?

Not at full size. Scale it to 24.9% and it fits inside B5 with 0 × 1.1 mm to spare.

	B1	B5
Millimetres	707 × 1000	176 × 250
Inches	27.83 × 39.37	6.93 × 9.84
Centimetres	70.7 × 100	17.6 × 25
Aspect ratio	1:1.41	1:1.42
Area	7070 cm²	440 cm²

Which is bigger

B1 is 16 times the area of B5. They are 4 steps apart in the B series and each step halves the sheet, so the multiple is two to the power of 4. 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 531 mm wider than B5. B1 is 750 mm taller.

Printing one on the other

A B5 page fits inside B1 whole — print it at 100% and you get a 265.5 mm border down each side and 375 mm top and bottom.

You want	Set the print scale to	Leaves
B1 artwork on B5 paper	24.9%	0 × 1.1 mm margin
B5 artwork on B1 paper	400%	3 × 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 B5 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 1.1 mm of unwanted margin.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between B1 and B5?

B1 is 707 × 1000 mm and B5 is 176 × 250 mm. B1 is the larger of the two by 1506.8% in area.

Can I print B1 on B5?

Not at full size. Scale it to 24.9% and it fits inside B5 with 0 × 1.1 mm to spare.

Which is bigger, B1 or B5?

B1 — 707 × 1000 mm against 176 × 250 mm, which is 1506.8% more area.

Related comparisons

B1 in full · B5 in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes