A5 vs A6
A6 is half of A5, 105 × 148 mm against 148 × 210. A5 is the notepad; A6 is the postcard. Two A6 cards come from one A5 sheet, four from an A4.
Compare a Different Pair
A5 and A6, Side by Side
| A5 | A6 | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 148 × 210 | 105 × 148 | 43 × 62 mm |
| Inches | 5.83 × 8.27 | 4.13 × 5.83 | 1.69 × 2.44 in |
| Centimetres | 14.8 × 21.0 | 10.5 × 14.8 | |
| Area | 0.0311 m², 31,080 mm² | 0.0155 m², 15,540 mm² | 2× |
| Aspect ratio | 1 : 1.419 (√2) | 1 : 1.410 (√2) | same |
What Is Lost Printing One on the Other
At 100% scale, both centred, nothing resized. A positive figure on the wider or taller side is cropped; on the other it is a blank margin.
| Axis | Gap | A5 onto A6 | A6 onto A5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 21.5 mm (0.85 in) each side | A5 loses it | blank band |
| Height | 31 mm (1.22 in) each end | A5 loses it | blank band |
Scale-to-Fit Percentages
The figure to type into a printer or PDF dialog to scale one to fit inside the other:
| A6 to fit A5 | 141% | fills the sheet, nothing cropped |
|---|---|---|
| A5 to fit A6 | 71% | fills the sheet, nothing cropped |
Both are one halving apart on the 1 : √2 series, so these are the copier presets and nothing is distorted or lost.
Which Should You Use?
A5 for anything with more than a few lines: a leaflet, a pad, a short programme. A6 for a card that has to fit a small envelope or take the postcard postage rate.
Beyond the Measurements
Envelopes: A5 fits C5, C6; A6 fits C6.
Worth Knowing
The question behind "A5 or A6" is usually "will this go in the post as a card or in the hand as a leaflet". A6 is the international postcard size and, in most countries, the largest a card can be while still taking the cheaper postcard rate, so a save-the-date or a change-of-address card wants to be A6. A5 is where you go the moment there is real text: it holds a paragraph or two comfortably and still folds once into a C6. If in doubt, mock both up at true size and hold them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A5 bigger than A6?
A5 is bigger. It is 148 × 210 mm against 105 × 148 mm for A6, about 2 times the area.
What is the difference between A5 and A6?
A6 is half of A5, 105 × 148 mm against 148 × 210. A5 is the notepad; A6 is the postcard. Two A6 cards come from one A5 sheet, four from an A4.
Can you print A6 on A5?
Yes, cleanly. Set the printer to scale A6 to 141% and it fills A5 edge to edge with nothing lost.
✓ Dimensions per the standards on the A5 and A6 pages. Differences and scale factors computed. Reviewed . Editorial Process →