There are wide arrays of different top-performing printer paper sizes, so choosing the right one can be frustrating for some consumers. A3 paper size is one of the more popular sizes of paper that is mostly used for posters, charts, and presentation items.
Key Takeaways_
- A3 printer paper is 11.7 x 16.5 inches or 297 x 420 millimeters as defined by the ISO 216 standards.
- This paper size is rather large and may not fit all printers, so research ahead of time.
- A3 paper is a great choice for printing out drawings, posters, diagrams, charts, graphs, and related tables.
A Series Paper
A3 printer paper is one of the more popular sizes you are likely to encounter, though it can be helpful to understand exactly what designations A3 paper and all A Series paper are.
A Series of paper sizes have been defined by the ISO 216 standard and must feature the following requirements.
- The length divided by the width is 1.4142.
- The A0 size has an area of 1 square meter.
- Each subsequent size A(n) is defined as A(n-1) cut in half parallel to its shorter sides. This means that each size can be folded perfectly in half to create the next smallest size.
- Each size’s standard length and width are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
A3 paper can come in different thicknesses but tends to offer the same dimensions across the whole subcategory. A3 paper is 11.7 x 16.5 inches or 297 x 420 millimeters.
A-Class paper size chart:
| Format | Width x Height (in mm) | Width x Height (in cm) | Width x Height (in inches) | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 x 1189 | 84.1 x 118.9 | 33.1 x 46.8 | Outdoor promotions, banners |
| A1 | 594 x 841 | 59.4 x 84.1 | 23.4 x 33.1 | Advertising purposes like large posters, display banners |
| A2 | 420 x 594 | 42 x 59.4 | 16.5 x 23.4 | Marketing, architecture, and construction (technical blueprints and diagrams) |
| A3 | 297 x 420 | 29.7 x 42 | 11.7 x 16.5 | Photography, printed posters, diagrams |
| A4 | 210 x 297 | 21 x 29.7 | 8.3 x 11.7 | Magazines, posters, menus, flyers |
| A5 | 148.5 x 210 | 14.85 x 21 | 5.8 x 8.3 | Greeting cards, diaries, brochures |
| A6 | 105 x 148.5 | 10.5 x 14.85 | 4.1 x 5.8 | Invitation cards, flyers |
| A7 | 74 x 105 | 7.4 x 10.5 | 2.9 x 4.1 | Small notebooks, leaflets, flyers and stickers |
| A8 | 52 x 74 | 5.2 x 7.4 | 2.0 x 2.9 | Business cards, labels, stickers |
| A9 | 37 x 52 | 3.7 x 5.2 | 1.5 x 2.0 | Labels, stickers |
| A10 | 26 x 37 | 2.6 x 3.7 | 1.0 x 1.5 | Coupons, tickets, stamps, and stickers |
The Uses of A3 Printer Paper
You will likely run into A3 printer paper while performing a number of basic office and school-related tasks. Here are just a few of the best uses of A3 paper.
Warning
Check the specifications of your printer before buying A3 paper, as this size may not fit all printers out there. Do your research ahead of time and save yourself some headaches.
Drawings and Diagrams
Due to the large size of A3 printer paper, it can often be used when reproducing drawings and diagrams. This makes A3 paper especially useful in industries such as engineering, science, and related professions.
Always check your printer’s specifications before buying any non-standard printing paper, as it may not fit your printer.
Large Tables, Charts, and Graphs
A3 printer paper has proven particularly useful in creating large tables, charts, and graphics.
Just as with diagrams and drawings, this is due to A3 paper’s relatively large size. A3 paper is a favorite size of statisticians everywhere.
F.A.Q.
What’s the difference between an A3 and an A4 printer, copier, or MFP?
This designates the paper size that the printer or copier will excel with. As a warning, not all A4 printers or copiers will integrate with A3 paper and vice versa.
How many different sizes are there?
When it comes to paper sizes, the sky is the limit. There are dozens and dozens of different printer paper sizes to choose from, though not every size will work with every printer.
How do the paper sizes relate to one another?
There is the A Series, the B Series, and a whole lot of paper sizes that belong to no individual series. Different parts of the world tend to use different paper sizes when it comes to professional settings.
