Letter vs ARCH A
| Letter | ARCH A | |
|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 215.9 × 279.4 | 228.6 × 304.8 |
| Inches | 8.5 × 11 | 9 × 12 |
| Centimetres | 21.6 × 27.9 | 22.9 × 30.5 |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1.29 | 1:1.33 |
| Area | 603.2 cm² | 696.8 cm² |
Which is bigger
ARCH A, by 15.5% in area. ARCH A is 12.7 mm wider than Letter. ARCH A is 25.4 mm taller.
Printing one on the other
A Letter page fits inside ARCH A whole — print it at 100% and you get a 6.3 mm border down each side and 12.7 mm top and bottom.
| You want | Set the print scale to | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Letter artwork on ARCH A paper | 105.9% | 0 × 9 mm margin |
| ARCH A artwork on Letter paper | 91.7% | 6.4 × 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: Letter is 1:1.29 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 9 mm of unwanted margin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Letter and ARCH A?
Letter is 215.9 × 279.4 mm and ARCH A is 228.6 × 304.8 mm. ARCH A is the larger of the two by 15.5% in area.
Can I print Letter on ARCH A?
Yes, at 100% — Letter is smaller on both edges, so it lands inside ARCH A with a border all round.
Which is bigger, Letter or ARCH A?
ARCH A — 228.6 × 304.8 mm against 215.9 × 279.4 mm, which is 15.5% more area.
Letter in full · ARCH A in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes