Legal vs ARCH A
| Legal | ARCH A | |
|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 215.9 × 355.6 | 228.6 × 304.8 |
| Inches | 8.5 × 14 | 9 × 12 |
| Centimetres | 21.6 × 35.6 | 22.9 × 30.5 |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1.65 | 1:1.33 |
| Area | 767.7 cm² | 696.8 cm² |
Which is bigger
Legal, by 10.2% in area. ARCH A is 12.7 mm wider than Legal. Legal is 50.8 mm taller.
Printing one on the other
Neither sheet fits inside the other at full size: ARCH A 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Legal artwork on ARCH A paper | 85.7% | 43.5 × 0 mm margin |
| ARCH A artwork on Legal paper | 94.4% | 0 × 67.7 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: Legal is 1:1.65 and ARCH A is 1:1.33. 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 43.5 mm of unwanted margin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Legal and ARCH A?
Legal is 215.9 × 355.6 mm and ARCH A is 228.6 × 304.8 mm. Legal is the larger of the two by 10.2% in area.
Can I print Legal on ARCH A?
Not at full size. Scale it to 85.7% and it fits inside ARCH A with 43.5 × 0 mm to spare.
Which is bigger, Legal or ARCH A?
Legal — 215.9 × 355.6 mm against 228.6 × 304.8 mm, which is 10.2% more area.
Legal in full · ARCH A in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes