Letter vs JIS B5
| Letter | JIS B5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 215.9 × 279.4 | 182 × 257 |
| Inches | 8.5 × 11 | 7.17 × 10.12 |
| Centimetres | 21.6 × 27.9 | 18.2 × 25.7 |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1.29 | 1:1.41 |
| Area | 603.2 cm² | 467.7 cm² |
Which is bigger
Letter, by 29% in area. Letter is 33.9 mm wider than JIS B5. Letter is 22.4 mm taller.
Printing one on the other
A JIS B5 page fits inside Letter whole — print it at 100% and you get a 17 mm border down each side and 11.2 mm top and bottom.
| You want | Set the print scale to | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Letter artwork on JIS B5 paper | 84.3% | 0 × 21.5 mm margin |
| JIS B5 artwork on Letter paper | 108.7% | 18 × 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 JIS B5 is 1:1.41. 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 21.5 mm of unwanted margin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Letter and JIS B5?
Letter is 215.9 × 279.4 mm and JIS B5 is 182 × 257 mm. Letter is the larger of the two by 29% in area.
Can I print Letter on JIS B5?
Not at full size. Scale it to 84.3% and it fits inside JIS B5 with 0 × 21.5 mm to spare.
Which is bigger, Letter or JIS B5?
Letter — 215.9 × 279.4 mm against 182 × 257 mm, which is 29% more area.
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Letter in full · JIS B5 in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes