C4 vs Legal
| C4 | Legal | |
|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 229 × 324 | 215.9 × 355.6 |
| Inches | 9.02 × 12.76 | 8.5 × 14 |
| Centimetres | 22.9 × 32.4 | 21.6 × 35.6 |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1.41 | 1:1.65 |
| Area | 742 cm² | 767.7 cm² |
Which is bigger
Legal, by 3.5% in area. C4 is 13.1 mm wider than Legal. Legal is 31.6 mm taller.
Printing one on the other
Neither sheet fits inside the other at full size: C4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C4 artwork on Legal paper | 94.3% | 0 × 50.1 mm margin |
| Legal artwork on C4 paper | 91.1% | 32.3 × 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: C4 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 50.1 mm of unwanted margin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between C4 and Legal?
C4 is 229 × 324 mm and Legal is 215.9 × 355.6 mm. Legal is the larger of the two by 3.5% in area.
Can I print C4 on Legal?
Not at full size. Scale it to 94.3% and it fits inside Legal with 0 × 50.1 mm to spare.
Which is bigger, C4 or Legal?
Legal — 215.9 × 355.6 mm against 229 × 324 mm, which is 3.5% more area.
C4 in full · Legal in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes