B2 vs B3

Q: Can I print B2 on B3?

Not at full size. Scale it to 70.6% and it fits inside B3 with 0 × 0.9 mm to spare.

	B2	B3
Millimetres	500 × 707	353 × 500
Inches	19.69 × 27.83	13.9 × 19.69
Centimetres	50 × 70.7	35.3 × 50
Aspect ratio	1:1.41	1:1.42
Area	3535 cm²	1765 cm²

Which is bigger

B2 and B3 are one step apart in the B series, so one is exactly twice the other. Two B3 sheets side by side make a B2, and folding a B2 in half across its long edge gives two B3. 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.

B2 is 147 mm wider than B3. B2 is 207 mm taller.

Printing one on the other

A B3 page fits inside B2 whole — print it at 100% and you get a 73.5 mm border down each side and 103.5 mm top and bottom.

You want	Set the print scale to	Leaves
B2 artwork on B3 paper	70.6%	0 × 0.9 mm margin
B3 artwork on B2 paper	141.4%	0.9 × 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: B2 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 0.9 mm of unwanted margin.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between B2 and B3?

B2 is 500 × 707 mm and B3 is 353 × 500 mm. B2 is the larger of the two by 100.3% in area.

Can I print B2 on B3?

Not at full size. Scale it to 70.6% and it fits inside B3 with 0 × 0.9 mm to spare.

Which is bigger, B2 or B3?

B2 — 500 × 707 mm against 353 × 500 mm, which is 100.3% more area.

Related comparisons

B2 in full · B3 in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes