US Series
Medium
Belonging to the ISO A series, the medium paper size is a standard that's globally recognized and widely utilized. This particular size, often referred to as A4, measures 210 x 297 millimeters or 8.27 x 11.69 inches. It's an integral part of the ISO 216 standard, which is based on the German DIN 476 standard from 1922.
The medium paper size holds a unique position in this series due to its aspect ratio of √2:1. This distinctive ratio ensures that when a sheet is cut in half parallel to its shorter sides, it results in two sheets with the same aspect ratio as the original. This property makes it incredibly versatile for various applications ranging from professional documents to personal use.
Medium paper dimensions
Specs
| Format | in | mm | cm | pt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2A0 | 46.81 x 66.22 | 1189 x 1682 | 119 x 168 | 3370 x 4768 |
| A12 | 0.51 x 0.71 | 13 x 18 | 1 x 2 | 37 x 51 |
| 4A0 | 66.22 x 93.62 | 1682 x 2378 | 168 x 238 | 4768 x 6741 |
| A11 | 0.71 x 1.02 | 18 x 26 | 2 x 3 | 51 x 74 |
| A10 | 1.02 x 1.46 | 26 x 37 | 3 x 4 | 74 x 105 |
| A3+ | 12.95 x 19.02 | 329 x 483 | 33 x 48 | 933 x 1369 |
| A1+ | 23.98 x 35.98 | 609 x 914 | 61 x 91 | 1726 x 2591 |
| A0+ | 35.98 x 50.87 | 914 x 1292 | 91 x 129 | 2591 x 3662 |
| A6 | 4.13 x 5.83 | 105 x 148 | 11 x 15 | 298 x 420 |
| A5 | 5.83 x 8.27 | 148 x 210 | 15 x 21 | 420 x 595 |
| A4 | 8.27 x 11.69 | 210 x 297 | 21 x 30 | 595 x 842 |
| A3 | 11.69 x 16.54 | 297 x 420 | 30 x 42 | 842 x 1191 |
| A9 | 1.46 x 2.05 | 37 x 52 | 4 x 5 | 105 x 147 |
| A2 | 16.54 x 23.39 | 420 x 594 | 42 x 59 | 1191 x 1684 |
| A8 | 2.05 x 2.91 | 52 x 74 | 5 x 7 | 147 x 210 |
| A1 | 23.39 x 33.11 | 594 x 841 | 59 x 84 | 1684 x 2384 |
| A7 | 2.91 x 4.13 | 74 x 105 | 7 x 11 | 210 x 298 |
| A0 | 33.11 x 46.81 | 841 x 1189 | 84 x 119 | 2384 x 3370 |
Furthermore, this specific paper size has been adopted by all countries across the globe except for North America and parts of Latin America where ANSI standards are prevalent. The ANSI B (Ledger/Tabloid) and ANSI A (Letter) sizes are closest equivalents used in these regions.
Interestingly enough, despite being called 'medium', this paper size is actually most commonly used for everyday printing needs such as letters and documents - making it anything but 'medium' in terms of usage frequency.
Whether you're drafting an official report or simply printing out a recipe from your favorite food blog - chances are you're using medium-sized paper more often than not!
Other Formats in the US Series
Interesting facts about Medium
1: The Origins of Medium Paper
Medium paper, also known as B5 paper, has its origins in Germany. It was first standardized in the early 20th century by the German Institute for Standardization (DIN). The DIN B series, which includes B5 size, was introduced to provide a range of paper sizes suitable for various purposes.
2: A Perfect Fit for Novels
B5 or Medium paper is often preferred by authors and publishers for printing novels. Its dimensions (176 x 250 mm or 6.93 x 9.84 inches) make it an ideal choice for book printing due to its comfortable reading size and convenient handling.
3: Popular in Japan
In Japan, B5 size is widely used for notebooks and notepads. It is considered a standard size for school supplies and stationery items. The popularity of Medium paper in Japan can be attributed to its balance between portability and ample writing space.
4: A Versatile Choice
B5 or Medium paper is versatile as it can be easily converted into other common sizes such as A5 (148 x 210 mm) or half-letter (140 x 216 mm). This flexibility allows users to resize documents without significant loss of content or readability.
5: An International Standard
The ISO standard equivalent of B5 or Medium paper is ISO B6 (125 x 176 mm). This international standard ensures compatibility across different countries and facilitates seamless document exchange between organizations worldwide.
6: Not Just Limited to Paper
The term "Medium" doesn't only refer to the specific type of paper but is also used to describe the size of other objects. For example, in the fashion industry, "Medium" is a common size for clothing and accessories.
7: A Common Choice for Technical Drawings
B5 or Medium paper is often used by architects and engineers for technical drawings. Its dimensions provide enough space to include detailed diagrams and annotations while still maintaining a manageable sheet size.
8: The Perfect Fit for Magazines
Magazines often utilize B5 or Medium paper due to its balanced proportions. The size allows for attractive layouts, including images and text, while remaining compact enough for easy distribution and reading.
9: A Step Between A5 and A4
B5 or Medium paper serves as an intermediary between the popular A5 (148 x 210 mm) and A4 (210 x 297 mm) sizes. It offers a slightly larger canvas than A5 while being smaller than the standard letter-sized A4, making it suitable for various applications.
10: An Eco-Friendly Option
B5 or Medium paper can be an eco-friendly choice as it allows efficient use of resources during printing. By optimizing content layout on this size, less paper waste is generated compared to larger formats like A3 or tabloid.
