How to Print On Legal Size Paper

Updated: Feb 9, 2024 1:06 PM
how to print legal size paper guide

If you’ve used legal-size paper before, you already understand its negatives, like not fitting in a regular file folder, and worst of all, you’d have a difficult time trying to get them to fit into a standard-size cabinet drawer. Thankfully, printing on legal paper is a simple process of changing your printer’s settings.

Key Takeaways_

  • Legal-size paper is three times longer than standard paper at 8.5 X 14 inches.
  • Legal-size paper is commonly used in U.S. offices and businesses for drafting contracts such as those done in accounting, legal, and real estate.
  • For most printers in the U.S., letter size is the default printing option. However, you can still change the settings to legal-size paper when you need to use this format.

Legal-size paper is three inches longer than standard paper at 8.5 X 14 inches, and most all-in-one printers can print legal paper. Below we will show you how to adjust the printer preference settings on your high-quality printer to print on this paper.

However, if you need to print a different style document like a postcard, we also have a guide on printing half-letter size paper. Alternatively, we also have a guide on how to print on photo paper if you need to print out some fond memories or artwork.

difference between letter and legal size paper.

Legal and letter-size papers are perhaps the two most commonly used papers around businesses in the U.S. You are probably familiar with both formats, though they serve different functions.

Letter size is the most prevalent paper in the U.S. and measures 8.5 x 11 inches. If you’ve used a printer before, it was most likely with a letter-size paper. So, considering its size, you are probably wondering if it will fit in your printer.

Legal-size paper is much longer than letter size, measuring in at 8.5 x 14 inches. Its extra length comes in handy when drafting contracts such as those done in accounting, legal, and real estate.

Many printers in the market can print legal-size paper as long as you can tweak the correct settings on your printer so that you are only left with adjusting for its increased length. The same is required when it comes to photocopying legal-size paper.

STAT: The average U.S. office worker uses about 10,000 sheets of paper in a single year. Companies in the U.S. spend more than $120 billion on printed forms per year, and about 45% of printed paper in offices gets trashed by the end of the day. (source)

Most multi-functional printers can print legal-size paper with no issues. All you need to do is change the printer preference settings to legal-size paper. The same procedure is done for other formats.

It is important to note that exact steps can vary by software and printer models.

To print legal-size paper, do the following

For Windows:

  1. Open the document.
  2. Go to “File” and select “Print.”
  3. Choose your printer
  4. Look for an option that says something along the lines of “Page Setup” or “Properties.”
  5. Select the paper size. May be listed as “Legal” or by dimensions (8.5 x 14 inches)
  6. Print your document.

For Mac:

  1. First, open the document.
  2. Go to “File” and select “Print.”
  3. Choose your printer
  4. Look for an option that says something along the lines of “Page Setup” or “Paper Size.”
  5. Select the paper size. May be listed as “Legal” or by dimensions (8.5 x 14 inches)
  6. Print your document.

F.A.Q.S

What is the difference between legal size paper and letter size?

Legal and letter-size papers are perhaps the most commonly used paper around businesses in the U.S. The main difference is legal size is much longer than letter size. Legal-size paper is three times longer than standard paper at 8.5 X 14 inches.


Can my printer print legal-size documents?

Most multi-functional printers can print legal-size paper that’s a bit longer than standard-size paper. Printing legal-size paper is relatively easy. All you need to do is change the printer preference settings to legal-size paper.


What can I use legal paper for?

Legal and letter-size papers are prevalent in offices and businesses in the U.S. It is used in drafting contracts such as those done in accounting, legal, and real estate.


How do I change my printer settings from standard to legal size?

Printing legal-size paper is relatively easy. All you need to do is open your printer’s “Preference Settings” and change it from standard to legal-size paper.

Do I need to change my copier settings for legal-size printing?

Most copiers in the market can copy legal-size paper, as long as you can tweak the correct settings on your printer so that you are only left with adjusting for its increased length.



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