Letter vs Photo 8×12
| Letter | Photo 8×12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 215.9 × 279.4 | 203.2 × 304.8 |
| Inches | 8.5 × 11 | 8 × 12 |
| Centimetres | 21.6 × 27.9 | 20.3 × 30.5 |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1.29 | 1:1.5 |
| Area | 603.2 cm² | 619.4 cm² |
Which is bigger
Photo 8×12, by 2.7% in area. Letter is 12.7 mm wider than Photo 8×12. Photo 8×12 is 25.4 mm taller.
Printing one on the other
Neither sheet fits inside the other at full size: Letter is the wider of the two while Photo 8×12 is the taller, so each overruns the other on one edge. Whichever way you go, something has to scale or crop.
| You want | Set the print scale to | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Letter artwork on Photo 8×12 paper | 94.1% | 0 × 41.8 mm margin |
| Photo 8×12 artwork on Letter paper | 91.7% | 29.6 × 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 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 41.8 mm of unwanted margin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Letter and Photo 8×12?
Letter is 215.9 × 279.4 mm and Photo 8×12 is 203.2 × 304.8 mm. Photo 8×12 is the larger of the two by 2.7% in area.
Can I print Letter on Photo 8×12?
Not at full size. Scale it to 94.1% and it fits inside Photo 8×12 with 0 × 41.8 mm to spare.
Which is bigger, Letter or Photo 8×12?
Photo 8×12 — 203.2 × 304.8 mm against 215.9 × 279.4 mm, which is 2.7% more area.
Letter in full · Photo 8×12 in full · All size comparisons · All paper sizes