Paper size guide
A1 paper size
A1 measures 594 × 841 mm, which is 23.39 × 33.11 inches (59.4 × 84.1 cm). A1 is half of A0 and is a common size for posters, flip charts and technical drawings.
A1 dimensions
| Millimetres | 594 × 841 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 59.4 × 84.1 cm |
| Inches | 23.39 × 33.11 in |
| Points | 1684 × 2384 pt |
| Pixels at 72 dpi | 1684 × 2384 px |
| Pixels at 150 dpi | 3508 × 4967 px |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 7016 × 9933 px |
| Proportion | 1 : 1.416 |
Each A size is half the area of the one above. A1 is half of A0 and twice A2; the sides scale by 1.414 each step, so a drawing planned on A2 enlarges to A1 without cropping.
Drawing on A1
A1 gives room for a life-size head or a full figure at reduced scale. It needs a drawing board, a bridge or hand guard to avoid smudging, and a large flat surface.
Typical uses: life-size portrait heads, large graphite and charcoal work, presentation boards.
Usable drawing area with a margin
Most artists leave a margin so the drawing can be mounted and the edges stay clean.
| Margin | Drawing area (mm) | Drawing area (in) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 mm all round | 574 × 821 | 22.6 × 32.32 |
| 20 mm all round | 554 × 801 | 21.81 × 31.54 |
| 30 mm all round | 534 × 781 | 21.02 × 30.75 |
To copy a reference photo accurately onto A1, try the grid drawing tool, which scales a grid to your paper size. Choosing paper? See the best paper for coloured pencils and paper weight explained.
Framing A1
A A1 frame takes A1 unmounted. For a mounted drawing, the mount overlaps the sheet by roughly 6 mm each side, so the visible image (aperture) is about 582 × 829 mm.
Try your own numbers in the frame and mount calculator, or read how to frame and mount a drawing.
Frequently asked questions
What size is A1 in inches?+
A1 is 23.39 × 33.11 inches (594 × 841 mm, or 59.4 × 84.1 cm).
What is A1 in pixels?+
At 72 dpi A1 is 1684 × 2384 pixels, at 150 dpi it is 3508 × 4967, and at 300 dpi it is 7016 × 9933. Use 300 dpi to scan or print artwork at full quality.
How much of the sheet can I draw on at A1?+
With a 20 mm margin around the edge, the drawing area on A1 is 554 × 801 mm. Leave more if you plan to mount the drawing, because a mount overlaps the paper by around 6 mm on each side.
How does A1 compare with A0 and A2?+
A1 is half the area of A0 and twice the area of A2. Each step scales the linear dimensions by about 1.414 (the square root of 2).