Learn More About A4 Sized Paper And The Standard Paper Size System

Most printer models particularly the inkjet types often support printing or even scanning A4 sized documents. But what exactly is an A4-sized paper, aside from what you know that it's a 210mm x 297mm (HxW) sheet of paper? To give you some idea regarding paper sizes including the A4, let's discuss the basics.

First thing you need to know is that before you get an A4 sheet you have to start from its base which is the A0. Based on the ISO 216 standard paper size system, the height-to-width ratio of all pages is the square root of two "√2". It simply means that a paper sheet's height and width are related to each other. To prove it, get a piece of paper, fold it into two equal sizes and get its ratio thru this W : √2 = √2 : H, you'll probably come up with the same width:height ratio.

If the largest size of paper is A0 (1189 mm x 841 mm), then you can just simply say that A4 is the fourth fold of an A0-sized paper. Still seems complicated? Well then let me do the math here, if A0 has a height of  1189mm, folding it on its short edge will create A1 having 841mm x 594mm (HxW), fold the A1 on its short edge to give A2. Notice the relation of the height of the preceding size to the width of the following paper size. This system is also applied not only in A series format, but also to B series and C series formats of paper media.

Here's a sample image to help you understand the facts above. No what's the advantage of using this system? You see, in an office that requires printing A5-sized brochures, a bi-fold A4 sheet works perfectly. Likewise, doing the other way around, enlarging an A5-sized image to fit an A4 sheet can also be done conveniently.

Among these sizes, A4 is the most commonly used in office and business printing practices which include forms, catalogs, and letters. Even laser printers and copiers accept these formats, mostly for graphics and typical office files, while large-scale laser printers require A0-A3 formats.

Both inkjet and laser type printers follow the same standard paper size system. Whilst it's ideal to check the supported format of a printer before you get to purchase it. In addition, take note of its consumables particularly the ink and laser toner cartridges, these products are more costly to replace than restocking your paper supplies.

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