B2 vs B5

Q: Can I print B2 on B5?

Not at full size. Scale it to 35.2% and it fits inside B5 with 0 × 1.1 mm to spare.

	B2	B5
Millimetres	500 × 707	176 × 250
Inches	19.69 × 27.83	6.93 × 9.84
Centimetres	50 × 70.7	17.6 × 25
Aspect ratio	1:1.41	1:1.42
Area	3535 cm²	440 cm²

Which is bigger

B2 is 8 times the area of B5. They are 3 steps apart in the B series and each step halves the sheet, so the multiple is two to the power of 3. The number in the name going up while the sheet goes down is why this has to be asked rather than read off.

B2 is 324 mm wider than B5. B2 is 457 mm taller.

Printing one on the other

A B5 page fits inside B2 whole — print it at 100% and you get a 162 mm border down each side and 228.5 mm top and bottom.

You want	Set the print scale to	Leaves
B2 artwork on B5 paper	35.2%	0 × 1.1 mm margin
B5 artwork on B2 paper	282.8%	2.3 × 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: B2 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 B2 and B5?

B2 is 500 × 707 mm and B5 is 176 × 250 mm. B2 is the larger of the two by 703.4% in area.

Can I print B2 on B5?

Not at full size. Scale it to 35.2% and it fits inside B5 with 0 × 1.1 mm to spare.

Which is bigger, B2 or B5?

B2 — 500 × 707 mm against 176 × 250 mm, which is 703.4% more area.

Related comparisons

B2 in full · B5 in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes