B5 vs Letter
| B5 | Letter | |
|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 176 × 250 | 215.9 × 279.4 |
| Inches | 6.93 × 9.84 | 8.5 × 11 |
| Centimetres | 17.6 × 25 | 21.6 × 27.9 |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1.42 | 1:1.29 |
| Area | 440 cm² | 603.2 cm² |
Which is bigger
Letter, by 37.1% in area. Letter is 39.9 mm wider than B5. Letter is 29.4 mm taller.
Printing one on the other
A B5 page fits inside Letter whole — print it at 100% and you get a 20 mm border down each side and 14.7 mm top and bottom.
| You want | Set the print scale to | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| B5 artwork on Letter paper | 111.8% | 19.2 × 0 mm margin |
| Letter artwork on B5 paper | 81.5% | 0 × 22.2 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: B5 is 1:1.42 and Letter is 1:1.29. 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 19.2 mm of unwanted margin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between B5 and Letter?
B5 is 176 × 250 mm and Letter is 215.9 × 279.4 mm. Letter is the larger of the two by 37.1% in area.
Can I print B5 on Letter?
Yes, at 100% — B5 is smaller on both edges, so it lands inside Letter with a border all round.
Which is bigger, B5 or Letter?
Letter — 215.9 × 279.4 mm against 176 × 250 mm, which is 37.1% more area.
B5 in full · Letter in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes