Metrics in Drafting - Paper Sizes

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Paper Sizes

The ISO 'A' Series

The ISO 'A' series of sheet sizes is based on a constant width to length ratio of 1: square root

The A0 size is defined as having an area of one square meter. This allows paper weights to be expressed in grams per square meter.

Each smaller sheet size is exactly half the area of the previous size. ie. If you cut an A0 sheet in half you get two A1 sheets; If you cut an A1 sheet in half you get two A2 sheets; and so on ...

This relationship of 1: square root 2 is particularly important for reduction onto microfilm, or reduction and enlargement on photocopiers. All metric equipment including microfilm cameras, microfilm printers, photocopiers, and even drawing pen sizes, are designed around this ratio. This makes the process of archiving drawings, resizing, and modifying drawings easy.

Dimensions of Regular Sheets

Designation	Dimensions
A0	841 mm x 1189 mm
A1	594 mm x 841 mm
A2	420 mm x 594 mm
A3	297 mm x 420 mm
A4	210 mm x 297 mm
A5	149 mm x 210 mm

Oversize Sheets

Oversize sheets are used when it is desirable to give extra protection to the drawing sheets by providing a binding or trimming margin.

Dimensions of Oversize Sheets

Designation	Dimensions
RA0	860 mm x 1220 mm
RA1	610 mm x 860 mm
RA2	430 mm x 610 mm
RA3	305 mm x 430 mm
RA4	215 mm x 305 mm
RA5	153 mm x 215 mm

Rolls

The standard widths for rolls is 860 mm and 610 mm. The length of the drawing sheet can be cut as required to suit each individual drawing.

The ISO 'B' Series

The ISO 'B' series is defined to satisfy the requirements of drawing offices when the differences between the 'A' series sizes is too great.

In practice they are not commonly used.

Dimensions of Regular Sheets

Designation	Dimensions
B0	1000 mm x 1414 mm
B1	707 mm x 1000 mm
B2	500 mm x 707 mm
B3	354 mm x 500 mm
B4	250 mm x 354 mm
B5	177 mm x 250 mm

Non-Metric Paper Sizes

For reference purposes the following table lists non-metric paper sizes still in use in some parts of the world.

Designation	Dimensions (mm)	Dimensions (in)
US Engineering:
ANSI A	215.9 mm x 279.4 mm	8.5" x 11"
ANSI B	279.4 mm x 431.8 mm	11" x 17"
ANSI C	431.8 mm x 558.8 mm	17" x 22"
ANSI D	558.8 mm x 863.6 mm	22" x 34"
ANSI E	863.6 mm x 1117.6 mm	34" x 44"

US Architectural:
ARCH A	228.6 mm x 304.8 mm	9" X 12"
ARCH B	304.8 mm x 457.2 mm	12" X 18"
ARCH C	457.2 mm x 609.6 mm	18" X 24"
ARCH D	609.6 mm x 914.4 mm	24" X 36"
ARCH E	914.4 mm x 1219.2 mm	36" X 48"

Miscellaneous:
Letter	215.9 mm x 279.4 mm	8.5" x 11"
Legal	215.9 mm x 355.6 mm	8.5" x 14"
US Government	203.2 mm x 279.4 mm	8" x 11"
Statement	139.7 mm x 215.9 mm	5.5" x 8.5"
Executive	184.2 mm x 266.7 mm	7.25" x 10.5"
Folio	215.9 mm x 330.2 mm	8.5" x 13"
Quarto	215.0 mm x 275.0 mm
Tabloid	279.4 mm x 431.8 mm	11" x 17"
Ledger	279.4 mm x 431.8 mm	11" x 17"