Paper Size Guide | A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 Dimensions

A-series paper sizes follow a reverse scale — the larger the number, the smaller the paper size. Choosing the right paper size sounds simple… until you’re staring at a quote form trying to decide between A3, A4 or A5. For Australian businesses, designers and office teams, understanding A-series paper sizes is the key to sharper designs, cleaner layouts and fewer printing headaches.

Australia follows the international ISO 216 standard, which is why A-series sizes like A4 paper size feel so familiar in offices, schools and print rooms across the country. 

In this paper size guide, we’ll walk through paper sizes A0 A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6, explain how they relate to each other, and give you practical examples so you can match each size to the job.

Is A4 bigger than A3?

No. In the A-series paper size system, the higher the number, the smaller the paper size. This means A3 is larger than A4, A2 is larger than A3, and A1 is larger than A2. Each size is created by halving the previous sheet, which keeps all A-series paper sizes perfectly proportional.

How A-series paper sizes actually work

The A-series is designed around a neat bit of maths:

• A0 paper size has an area of exactly 1 square metre.
• Each smaller size (A1, A2, A3 and so on) is created by halving the previous sheet along its longest side.
• All A-series sheets keep the same 1 : √2 aspect ratio, so you can scale artwork up or down between sizes without stretching it. 

This means:

• Two A1 sheets equal one A0.
• Two A2 sheets equal one A1.
• Two A3 sheets equal one A2… and so on. 

For you, that consistency makes life easier. If you have a poster layout set up at A3, your printer can scale it to A2 or A1 without redesigning the whole file.

Paper dimensions chart: A0–A6 at a glance

Here’s a quick paper dimensions chart for the most common A-series paper sizes used in Australian print jobs. Dimensions are shown in millimetres (width × height).  The table below shows the dimensions and common uses of A0 to A6 paper sizes commonly used in Australian printing.

Paper size	Dimensions (mm)	Typical uses
A0	841 × 1189	Large format posters, exhibition graphics, event signage, architectural plans
A1	594 × 841	Posters, presentation boards, shop window displays, schedules and planners
A2	420 × 594	Medium posters, charts, in-store signage, menu boards
A3	297 × 420	Folded brochures to A4, wall calendars, small posters, presentation handouts
A4	210 × 297	Standard office documents, letters, proposals, forms, manuals
A5	148.5 × 210	Flyers, handouts, small booklets, invitations, notepads
A6	105 × 148.5	Postcards, coupons, ticketing, pocket-sized flyers

These measurements come from ISO A-series standards and are widely used by Australian printers, including major brands and local print shops. 

Paper Size Uses at a Glance (A0–A6)

If you’re deciding between A3, A4 or A5, this quick overview shows which A-series paper size is best suited to common printing tasks in Australia.

• Exhibition posters, architectural drawings, large signage
• Retail posters, event advertising, wall charts
• In-store posters, menu boards, promotional displays
• Folded brochures, calendars, presentation handouts
• Letters, invoices, reports, office documents
• Flyers, invitations, small booklets
• Postcards, vouchers, pocket-sized flyers

A0 & A1 paper size: big impact for large format

A0 paper size and A1 paper size sit at the top end of the A-series and are built for visibility:

• A0 (841 × 1189 mm)
  • Ideal for large exhibition posters, wayfinding signage, trade show backdrops and detailed plans.
  • Common when you need to be seen from a distance or display a lot of technical information (think building schematics or engineering drawings). 
  • A0 is roughly the size of a large tabletop, making it ideal for large-format visuals. You can explore more details in our A0 Paper Size Guide.

• A1 (594 × 841 mm)
  • A popular choice for retail posters, event advertising, maps and campaign launches.
  • Often used in frames or snap-lock poster stands in shopping centres and reception areas. 
  • A1 is similar in size to a small standing desk or large presentation board.

When you’re planning a large-format print run with a local printer like DTPS, these sizes are your go-to for attention-grabbing work that still fits on standard poster stands and walls.  You can also explore our detailed guide on A1 Paper Size Printing in Australia for more insights.

A2 & A3 paper size: posters, plans and folded brochures

Moving down the scale, A2 paper size and A3 paper size sit in that sweet spot between “big enough to notice” and “easy to handle”.

• A2 (420 × 594 mm)
  • Great for in-store promo posters, wall charts, timetables and menu displays.
  • Often used in hospitality and retail where wall space is limited but visibility still matters. 
  • A2 is comparable to a large computer monitor mounted on a wall.
• A3 (297 × 420 mm)
  • A common choice for A3 posters, event flyers, presentation boards and small wall calendars.
  • Frequently printed as A3 and folded down to A4 for brochures, newsletters or product guides – a trick many Australian printers highlight in their paper size guides. 
  • A3 is about the size of two A4 sheets placed side by side.

If you’re sending artwork to DTPS for marketing material, A3 is often the starting point when you want something larger than a standard A4 sheet, but still easy to mail or hand out. 

A4 paper size: the everyday workhorse

Ask anyone in an office what “standard paper size” means, and they’ll almost always think of A4 paper size.

• A4 (210 × 297 mm) is the default for:
  • Letters and invoices
  • Reports and proposals
  • Training manuals and internal documents
  • Forms, checklists and policy documents

A4 is roughly the size of a standard laptop screen, which is why it feels so familiar.

Across Australia, A4 is the most widely used sheet size in printers and copiers, which is why so many online paper size guides use A4 as the reference point for all other sizes. 

When you design anything that needs to be emailed as a PDF and printed in a standard office, A4 should be your baseline.

A5 & A6 paper size: flyers, invites and postcards

Smaller formats like A5 paper size and A6 paper size are perfect when you need something compact, portable and cost-effective.

• A5 (148.5 × 210 mm)
  • Popular for handouts, compact brochures, product booklets and small notepads.
  • A good middle ground when A4 feels too large or wasteful for the content. 
  • A5 is similar in size to a typical notebook or journal.
• A6 (105 × 148.5 mm)
  • Widely used for postcards, RSVP cards, coupons, gift vouchers and pocket-sized promo cards.
  • Ideal for letterbox drops and in-store giveaways where you want higher quantities at a lower print cost per piece. 
  • A6 is about the size of a standard postcard.

Because each A-series sheet halves neatly into the next size down, you can plan a campaign across A4, A5 and A6 using the same core design and adjust only the content density for each variant. 

Are there paper sizes other than A-series?

Yes. While A-series paper sizes are the most common, there are also B-series and C-series sizes. B-series paper is mainly used in commercial and professional printing, while C-series paper sizes are designed for envelopes to fit A-series documents neatly.

How to choose the right paper size for your project

When you’re planning a print job, think about these questions before you lock in a size: 

1. How will it be used?
   • Office policy document? A4.
   • In-store promo that needs to be seen from across the room? A2 or A1.
   • Handouts for a local event? A5 or A6.
2. Where will it live?
   • On a noticeboard: A3 or A4.
   • In a window: A2, A1 or A0.
   • Inside packaging: A5 or A6.
3. How much information do you need to fit?
   • Dense technical content (tables, diagrams or legal text) usually needs A3 or A4.
   • Short, bold messages and single offers work well on A5 or A6.
4. What’s your budget and quantity?
   • Smaller sizes like A5 and A6 can reduce paper and postage costs while still looking professional.
   • For campaigns running across the Mornington Peninsula or wider Melbourne, mixing one large A1 poster with stacks of A5 flyers can keep spend under control while maintaining visibility. 

If you’re unsure, send your brief and intended use to your printer. A team like DTPS can suggest a size and stock combination that matches both your design and your budget. 

Setting up your design files for clean printing

Once you’ve chosen a size from the paper size guide, set your artwork up correctly from the start:

• Create the file at the final paper size – A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 or A6 – rather than scaling later.
• Include bleed and safe margins so nothing important is trimmed off. Your printer can tell you their preferred bleed (often 3–5 mm).
• Keep the aspect ratio in mind if you know you’ll want the same design at multiple A-series sizes later.
• Export high-resolution PDFs with fonts embedded and images at suitable print resolution.

This kind of clean file setup not only helps print quality, it aligns with Google’s preference for clear, easy-to-understand content when you’re publishing your paper size guide online, with descriptive headings, tables and snippet-ready explanations. Google Ranking Factors

Need help with paper sizes and print?

Whether you’re planning a full campaign or a one-off run, knowing your A-series paper sizes makes quoting and design decisions much faster.

If you’re still deciding between A3, A4 or A5 for your next brochure, or you’re not sure if your poster should be A1 or A0, the team at Design to Print Solutions (DTPS) can talk through your options, recommend stocks and finishes, and make sure the size you choose works in the real world – not just on screen.

Conclusion

Understanding the A-series paper sizes makes every print decision easier — whether you’re preparing artwork for a major campaign, designing office documents, or choosing the right format for a product brochure. Once you know how each size works, from the impact of A0 and A1 through to the practicality of A4, A5 and A6, you can plan your project with confidence and avoid last-minute redesigns or unexpected printing costs.

If you’re still weighing up which size suits your job, a quick chat with the DTPS team can help you narrow it down. With the right guidance and the right paper size, your message not only looks sharper — it reaches people exactly the way you intended. Let your print do the talking.

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