8.5 x 11 Paper Size and Name
8.5 x 11 paper size is commonly known as “Letter Paper Size“, it is a size in the scope of US paper sizes, also named as ANSI A size and widely used in the United States and other parts of America.
Literally as its name applied – the 8.5×11 is exactly the description of its dimensions in inches. It measures 8.5 x 11 in inches and it is right how its name came out. It is just simple and interesting, but a lot of people might be confused by it.
For a better reference, here are its dimensions in metric terms – 21.59 x 27.94 in cm, or 215.9 x 279.4 in mm.
Regions of Use
8.5 x 11 paper size is widely used in the counties including United States, Canada, Mexico, and some other American countries and in the scope of US paper sizes. As the comparison in the parallel world, A4 size in ISO A series are widely used in other countries besides the above countries, such as Asian and European countries.
Historical Origin
The 8.5 x 11 paper size came into existence during the early years of paper production in North America when the old British paper sizes were used as a standard. These sizes were later modified and the size was standardized to its current dimensions in the 1920s. It was said that the choice of 8.5 x 11 inches was to strike a balance between width and height, creating a practical and versatile format.
8.5 x 11 Paper Size Chart
Dimensions in inches, cm, and mm
| Size Name | Width x Height in inches | Width x Height in cm | Width x Height in mm |
|
8.5 x 11 (Letter Size) |
8.5 x 11 inches | 21.59 x 27.94 cm | 215.9 x 279.4 mm |
Dimensions in Pixels
The pix dimensions can vary depending on the resolution and software settings used, but typically, at 300 ppi per inch a 8.5 x 11 size document would be 2551 x 3295 pixels. Below is the table of its Dimensions in Pixels of different ppi
| Size Name |
72 dpi/ppi (screen resolution) |
96 dpi/ppi (screen resolution) |
150 dpi/ppi (screen resolution) |
300 dpi/ppi (Print resolution) |
|
8.5×11 Letter Size |
612 x 792 px | 816 x 1054 px | 1276 x 1648 px | 2551 x 3295 px |
Main Uses
8.5 x 11 size, or we call Letter size is the default printing size for many office and home printers, photocopiers, and everyday document. The size is commonly used for various applications, including business correspondence, reports, academic papers, invoices, resumes, and general document printing.
Differences from Some Common Sizes
Compare with ISO A4 Paper Size
As mentioned, the A4 paper size, measures 8.27 x 11.69 in inches or 210 x 297 in mm, is very close to the 8.5 x 11 paper size as an equivalent outside of the regions where US paper size applied, but still have differences. Here is the comparison layout of both sizes.
8.5 x 11 Letter size vs. 8.5 x 14 Legal Size vs. 11×17 Tabloid Size
As in the American countries, the Legal size (8.5 x 14 inches) is another commonly used paper size in the US legal system, just higher, and for specific types of documents that require more space than the Letter size provides.
PROs & CONs
PROs
8.5 x 11 paper size, or Letter size, with its versatility and compatibility, the dimensions make it easily printable on standard home and office printers without the need for resizing or cropping. Letter-sized documents are also readily compatible with filing cabinets, folders, and binders commonly used in North American office environments.
Being the standard size in North America, 8.5 x 11 paper size documents can be easily exchanged and shared between colleagues, businesses, and institutions without issues of formatting or scaling. This uniformity simplifies communication, collaboration, and document handling.
CONs
A notable disadvantage of the Letter size is its incongruity with many international paper standards. As mentioned, for example, in most countries outside North America, the A4 paper size is the default standard paper size in daily work. This slight difference in size can lead to challenges when sharing or reproducing documents internationally, as content may need to be resized or adjusted to fit the different paper size.
Another disadvantage of the 8.5 x 11 paper size is its inherent rectangular shape, which may not provide the same aesthetic appeal or visual balance as some square or more elongated paper sizes. However, this is largely subjective and dependent on specific design preferences.
Main Facts of 8.5×11 Paper Size
Dimensions:
in inches: 8.5 x 11″
in mm: 215.9 x 279.4 mm
in cm: 21.59 x 27.94 cm
in pixels (72ppi): 612 x 792 px
in pixels (96ppi): 816 x 1054 px
in pixels (150ppi): 1276 x 1648 px
in pixels (300ppi): 2551 x 3295 px
Area:
93.5 square inches
0.0603 square meters
6493 square feet
Country of use: North American countries, Mexico, and the Philippines
Other name: ANSI A size, Letter Size
Uses: Business correspondence, reports, academic papers, invoices, resumes, and general document printing.
Approximate ISO Paper Size: A4 Size, measures 8.27 x 11.69 in inches, or 210 x 297 in mm