Letter vs Legal
| Letter | Legal | |
|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 215.9 × 279.4 | 215.9 × 355.6 |
| Inches | 8.5 × 11 | 8.5 × 14 |
| Centimetres | 21.6 × 27.9 | 21.6 × 35.6 |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1.29 | 1:1.65 |
| Area | 603.2 cm² | 767.7 cm² |
Which is bigger
Legal, by 27.3% in area. Both sheets are exactly 215.9 mm wide. Legal is 76.2 mm taller.
Printing one on the other
A Letter page fits inside Legal whole — print it at 100% and you get a 0 mm border down each side and 38.1 mm top and bottom.
| You want | Set the print scale to | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Letter artwork on Legal paper | 100% | 0 × 76.2 mm margin |
| Legal artwork on Letter paper | 78.6% | 46.3 × 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 Legal is 1:1.65. 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 76.2 mm of unwanted margin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Letter and Legal?
Letter is 215.9 × 279.4 mm and Legal is 215.9 × 355.6 mm. Legal is the larger of the two by 27.3% in area.
Can I print Letter on Legal?
Yes, at 100% — Letter is smaller on both edges, so it lands inside Legal with a border all round.
Which is bigger, Letter or Legal?
Legal — 215.9 × 355.6 mm against 215.9 × 279.4 mm, which is 27.3% more area.
Letter in full · Legal in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes