Letter vs Executive
| Letter | Executive | |
|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 215.9 × 279.4 | 184.15 × 266.7 |
| Inches | 8.5 × 11 | 7.25 × 10.5 |
| Centimetres | 21.6 × 27.9 | 18.4 × 26.7 |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1.29 | 1:1.45 |
| Area | 603.2 cm² | 491.1 cm² |
Which is bigger
Letter, by 22.8% in area. Letter is 31.8 mm wider than Executive. Letter is 12.7 mm taller.
Printing one on the other
A Executive page fits inside Letter whole — print it at 100% and you get a 15.9 mm border down each side and 6.3 mm top and bottom.
| You want | Set the print scale to | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Letter artwork on Executive paper | 85.3% | 0 × 28.4 mm margin |
| Executive artwork on Letter paper | 104.8% | 23 × 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 Executive is 1:1.45. 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 28.4 mm of unwanted margin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Letter and Executive?
Letter is 215.9 × 279.4 mm and Executive is 184.15 × 266.7 mm. Letter is the larger of the two by 22.8% in area.
Can I print Letter on Executive?
Not at full size. Scale it to 85.3% and it fits inside Executive with 0 × 28.4 mm to spare.
Which is bigger, Letter or Executive?
Letter — 215.9 × 279.4 mm against 184.15 × 266.7 mm, which is 22.8% more area.
Letter in full · Executive in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes