A4 vs Letter vs Legal: Choosing the Right PDF Page Size
Published 2026-08-23 · FreePDFToolbox
The wrong page size causes printing surprises and layout issues. Here are the real dimensions and when each size is the right choice.
Page size matters for printing, reading and professional consistency. Here's the practical guide to the standard sizes.
The standards, with real dimensions
| Size | mm | inches | Points | Used in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 210 × 297 | 8.3 × 11.7 | 595 × 842 | Most of the world |
| Letter | 216 × 279 | 8.5 × 11 | 612 × 792 | North America |
| Legal | 216 × 356 | 8.5 × 14 | 612 × 1008 | US contracts |
| A3 | 297 × 420 | 11.7 × 16.5 | 842 × 1190 | Posters, diagrams |
| A5 | 148 × 210 | 5.8 × 8.3 | 420 × 595 | Booklets, flyers |
How to choose
- A4 — default for international documents, school, business.
- Letter — default for US/Canada business.
- Legal — long contracts that need the extra 3 inches.
- A3 — large diagrams, posters, spreadsheets.
- A5 — flyers, booklets, small handouts.
When the size is wrong
Symptoms of a wrong page size:
- Printouts cut off on one edge.
- 'Page size doesn't match printer' warnings.
- Odd white margins or scaled-down content when sharing.
Fixing the page size of an existing PDF
Use Change PDF Page Size to set a standard size, with content scaled to fit:
- Choose the PDF.
- Pick A4, Letter, A3, A5 or Legal.
- Choose orientation behavior and convert.
For exact custom dimensions, use Resize PDF instead.
Frequently asked questions
Does changing page size reflow the text?
No — content is scaled like a photocopy. Line breaks stay the same.
Will conversion break printing?
After converting, check margins in print preview once — scaling is automatic and centered.
Which size do international journals use?
A4 is the standard for most international academic and business publishing.
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