Legal vs Photo 8×12
| Legal | Photo 8×12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 215.9 × 355.6 | 203.2 × 304.8 |
| Inches | 8.5 × 14 | 8 × 12 |
| Centimetres | 21.6 × 35.6 | 20.3 × 30.5 |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1.65 | 1:1.5 |
| Area | 767.7 cm² | 619.4 cm² |
Which is bigger
Legal, by 24% in area. Legal is 12.7 mm wider than Photo 8×12. Legal is 50.8 mm taller.
Printing one on the other
A Photo 8×12 page fits inside Legal whole — print it at 100% and you get a 6.4 mm border down each side and 25.4 mm top and bottom.
| You want | Set the print scale to | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Legal artwork on Photo 8×12 paper | 85.7% | 18.1 × 0 mm margin |
| Photo 8×12 artwork on Legal paper | 106.3% | 0 × 31.8 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 Photo 8×12 is 1:1.5. 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 18.1 mm of unwanted margin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Legal and Photo 8×12?
Legal is 215.9 × 355.6 mm and Photo 8×12 is 203.2 × 304.8 mm. Legal is the larger of the two by 24% in area.
Can I print Legal on Photo 8×12?
Not at full size. Scale it to 85.7% and it fits inside Photo 8×12 with 18.1 × 0 mm to spare.
Which is bigger, Legal or Photo 8×12?
Legal — 215.9 × 355.6 mm against 203.2 × 304.8 mm, which is 24% more area.
Legal in full · Photo 8×12 in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes