Paper Sizes
ISO 216 Standard
ISO 216 is the international standard that defines the A, B, and C paper size series used worldwide. Although business cards are typically produced at a standard UK size of 85 × 55 mm, these formats are useful to understand when preparing or scaling artwork for print.
A Series
Use our visual tool below to understand the A Series. The largest A Size available is A0, which when folded in half becomes A1. This pattern is continued through the whole A Series. The smallest A size available is the A8.
A Series Guide
| Size | Width (mm) | Height (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 | 1189 |
| A1 | 594 | 841 |
| A2 | 420 | 594 |
| A3 | 297 | 420 |
| A4 | 210 | 297 |
| A5 | 148 | 210 |
| A6 | 105 | 148 |
| A7 | 74 | 105 |
| A8 | 52 | 74 |
B Series
Although it looks almost identical to the A Series, the B Series does differ very slightly. The sizes are based on the geometric mean of two consecutive A Series sheets. As an example, B3 is between A2 and A3 in size.
B Series Guide
| Size | Width (mm) | Height (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| B0 | 1000 | 1414 |
| B1 | 707 | 1000 |
| B2 | 500 | 707 |
| B3 | 353 | 500 |
| B4 | 250 | 353 |
| B5 | 176 | 250 |
| B6 | 125 | 176 |
| B7 | 88 | 125 |
| B8 | 62 | 88 |
C Series
Most commonly used for envelopes, the C Series is used to accompany the A and B series papers.
C Series Guide
| Size | Width (mm) | Height (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| C6 | 114 | 162 |
| C5 | 162 | 229 |
| C4 | 229 | 324 |
| C3 | 324 | 458 |
| DL | 110 | 220 |
Ready to Get Started?
In the UK, the standard business card size is 85 × 55 mm, which fits comfortably into wallets and card holders. While most business cards follow this format, understanding common paper sizes can be helpful when scaling artwork or adapting existing designs. If you’re unsure which size is right for your cards or need help setting up your files, our team is happy to advise. Get in touch for guidance or a quote and we’ll help you move forward with confidence.