B4 vs Legal
| B4 | Legal | |
|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 250 × 353 | 215.9 × 355.6 |
| Inches | 9.84 × 13.9 | 8.5 × 14 |
| Centimetres | 25 × 35.3 | 21.6 × 35.6 |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1.41 | 1:1.65 |
| Area | 882.5 cm² | 767.7 cm² |
Which is bigger
B4, by 14.9% in area. B4 is 34.1 mm wider than Legal. Legal is 2.6 mm taller.
Printing one on the other
Neither sheet fits inside the other at full size: B4 is the wider of the two while Legal is the taller, so each overruns the other on one edge. Whichever way you go, something has to scale or crop.
| You want | Set the print scale to | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| B4 artwork on Legal paper | 86.4% | 0 × 50.7 mm margin |
| Legal artwork on B4 paper | 99.3% | 35.7 × 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: B4 is 1:1.41 and Legal is 1:1.65. 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 50.7 mm of unwanted margin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between B4 and Legal?
B4 is 250 × 353 mm and Legal is 215.9 × 355.6 mm. B4 is the larger of the two by 14.9% in area.
Can I print B4 on Legal?
Not at full size. Scale it to 86.4% and it fits inside Legal with 0 × 50.7 mm to spare.
Which is bigger, B4 or Legal?
B4 — 250 × 353 mm against 215.9 × 355.6 mm, which is 14.9% more area.
B4 in full · Legal in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes