B5 vs A5
B5 (176 × 250 mm) is larger than A5 (148 × 210) by about 30 and 40 mm. B5 sits between A5 and A4 and is a standard book and textbook size; A5 is the smaller everyday notebook.
Compare a Different Pair
B5 and A5, Side by Side
| B5 | A5 | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 176 × 250 | 148 × 210 | 28 × 40 mm |
| Inches | 6.93 × 9.84 | 5.83 × 8.27 | 1.1 × 1.57 in |
| Centimetres | 17.6 × 25.0 | 14.8 × 21.0 | |
| Area | 0.044 m², 44,000 mm² | 0.0311 m², 31,080 mm² | 1.42× |
| Aspect ratio | 1 : 1.420 (√2) | 1 : 1.419 (√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 | B5 onto A5 | A5 onto B5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 14 mm (0.55 in) each side | B5 loses it | blank band |
| Height | 20 mm (0.79 in) each end | B5 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:
| A5 to fit B5 | 119% | leaves a thin border on one pair of edges |
|---|---|---|
| B5 to fit A5 | 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.
Which Should You Use?
A5 for a pocketable notebook or a folded leaflet. B5 for a book, a thesis or a manual where A5 pages feel cramped for figures and equations but A4 is too big to hold.
Beyond the Measurements
Envelopes: B5 has no standard fitted envelope; A5 fits C5, C6.
Worth Knowing
B5 is the size academic publishing reaches for when A5 is too tight and A4 is too much: a monograph, a lab manual, a school textbook. The extra width over A5 is what makes room for a figure beside the text instead of below it. For a personal notebook the difference is mostly the bag it goes in. Note that ISO B5 (176 × 250) and Japanese JIS B5 (182 × 257) are not the same, so a cover or a set of inserts made for one will not fit the other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is B5 bigger than A5?
B5 is bigger. It is 176 × 250 mm against 148 × 210 mm for A5, about 1.42 times the area.
What is the difference between B5 and A5?
B5 (176 × 250 mm) is larger than A5 (148 × 210) by about 30 and 40 mm. B5 sits between A5 and A4 and is a standard book and textbook size; A5 is the smaller everyday notebook.
Can you print A5 on B5?
Not at full size without a change. Shrink A5 to 119% to fit B5, which leaves a thin border, or print at 100% and lose 14 mm off each side and 20 mm top and bottom.
✓ Dimensions per the standards on the B5 and A5 pages. Differences and scale factors computed. Reviewed . Editorial Process →