Half Letter vs Photo 5×7
| Half Letter | Photo 5×7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 139.7 × 215.9 | 127 × 177.8 |
| Inches | 5.5 × 8.5 | 5 × 7 |
| Centimetres | 14 × 21.6 | 12.7 × 17.8 |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1.55 | 1:1.4 |
| Area | 301.6 cm² | 225.8 cm² |
Which is bigger
Half Letter, by 33.6% in area. Half Letter is 12.7 mm wider than Photo 5×7. Half Letter is 38.1 mm taller.
Printing one on the other
A Photo 5×7 page fits inside Half Letter whole — print it at 100% and you get a 6.3 mm border down each side and 19 mm top and bottom.
| You want | Set the print scale to | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Half Letter artwork on Photo 5×7 paper | 82.4% | 12 × 0 mm margin |
| Photo 5×7 artwork on Half Letter paper | 110% | 0 × 20.3 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: Half Letter is 1:1.55 and Photo 5×7 is 1:1.4. 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 12 mm of unwanted margin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Half Letter and Photo 5×7?
Half Letter is 139.7 × 215.9 mm and Photo 5×7 is 127 × 177.8 mm. Half Letter is the larger of the two by 33.6% in area.
Can I print Half Letter on Photo 5×7?
Not at full size. Scale it to 82.4% and it fits inside Photo 5×7 with 12 × 0 mm to spare.
Which is bigger, Half Letter or Photo 5×7?
Half Letter — 139.7 × 215.9 mm against 127 × 177.8 mm, which is 33.6% more area.
Half Letter in full · Photo 5×7 in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes