B2 vs A2
B2 is 80 mm wider and 113 mm taller than A2. They are close but not interchangeable: a layout built for one clips or leaves a border on the other.
Compare a Different Pair
B2 and A2, Side by Side
| B2 | A2 | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 500 × 707 | 420 × 594 | 80 × 113 mm |
| Inches | 19.69 × 27.83 | 16.54 × 23.39 | 3.15 × 4.45 in |
| Centimetres | 50.0 × 70.7 | 42.0 × 59.4 | |
| Area | 0.353 m², 353,500 mm² | 0.249 m², 249,480 mm² | 1.42× |
| Aspect ratio | 1 : 1.414 (√2) | 1 : 1.414 (√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 | B2 onto A2 | A2 onto B2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 40 mm (1.57 in) each side | B2 loses it | blank band |
| Height | 56.5 mm (2.22 in) each end | B2 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:
| A2 to fit B2 | 119% | leaves a thin border on one pair of edges |
|---|---|---|
| B2 to fit A2 | 84% | leaves a thin border on one pair of edges |
The two share the 1 : √2 shape but are not one halving apart, so a fit-to-page scale still leaves a small border.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is B2 bigger than A2?
B2 is bigger. It is 500 × 707 mm against 420 × 594 mm for A2, about 1.42 times the area.
What is the difference between B2 and A2?
B2 is 80 mm wider and 113 mm taller than A2. They are close but not interchangeable: a layout built for one clips or leaves a border on the other.
Can you print A2 on B2?
Not at full size without a change. Shrink A2 to 119% to fit B2, which leaves a thin border, or print at 100% and lose 40 mm off each side and 56.5 mm top and bottom.
✓ Dimensions per the standards on the B2 and A2 pages. Differences and scale factors computed. Reviewed . Editorial Process →