B3 vs B6

Q: Can I print B3 on B6?

Not at full size. Scale it to 35.2% and it fits inside B6 with 0.7 × 0 mm to spare.

	B3	B6
Millimetres	353 × 500	125 × 176
Inches	13.9 × 19.69	4.92 × 6.93
Centimetres	35.3 × 50	12.5 × 17.6
Aspect ratio	1:1.42	1:1.41
Area	1765 cm²	220 cm²

Which is bigger

B3 is 8 times the area of B6. 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.

B3 is 228 mm wider than B6. B3 is 324 mm taller.

Printing one on the other

A B6 page fits inside B3 whole — print it at 100% and you get a 114 mm border down each side and 162 mm top and bottom.

You want	Set the print scale to	Leaves
B3 artwork on B6 paper	35.2%	0.7 × 0 mm margin
B6 artwork on B3 paper	282.4%	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

The proportions differ: B3 is 1:1.42 and B6 is 1:1.41. 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 B3 and B6?

B3 is 353 × 500 mm and B6 is 125 × 176 mm. B3 is the larger of the two by 702.3% in area.

Can I print B3 on B6?

Not at full size. Scale it to 35.2% and it fits inside B6 with 0.7 × 0 mm to spare.

Which is bigger, B3 or B6?

B3 — 353 × 500 mm against 125 × 176 mm, which is 702.3% more area.

Related comparisons

B3 in full · B6 in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes