Paper size guide
A4 paper size
A4 measures 210 × 297 mm, which is 8.27 × 11.69 inches (21 × 29.7 cm). A4 is the standard office and printing paper size in the UK and most of the world.
A4 dimensions
| Millimetres | 210 × 297 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 21 × 29.7 cm |
| Inches | 8.27 × 11.69 in |
| Points | 595 × 842 pt |
| Pixels at 72 dpi | 595 × 842 px |
| Pixels at 150 dpi | 1240 × 1754 px |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 2480 × 3508 px |
| Proportion | 1 : 1.414 |
Each A size is half the area of the one above. A4 is half of A3 and twice A5; the sides scale by 1.414 each step, so a drawing planned on A5 enlarges to A4 without cropping.
Drawing on A4
A4 is the everyday drawing size: it fits sketchbooks, scanners and printers, and suits studies, practice pieces and small finished drawings. Detail is achievable with a sharp point, but large drawings will feel cramped.
Typical uses: sketchbook studies, practice exercises, small finished drawings.
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 | 190 × 277 | 7.48 × 10.91 |
| 20 mm all round | 170 × 257 | 6.69 × 10.12 |
| 30 mm all round | 150 × 237 | 5.91 × 9.33 |
To copy a reference photo accurately onto A4, 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 A4
A A4 frame takes A4 unmounted. For a mounted drawing, the mount overlaps the sheet by roughly 6 mm each side, so the visible image (aperture) is about 198 × 285 mm.
Standard frames that leave at least 20 mm of mount border around a A4 sheet:
| Frame | Side border | Top and bottom |
|---|---|---|
| A3 | 49.5 mm | 67.5 mm |
| A2 | 111 mm | 154.5 mm |
| A1 | 198 mm | 278 mm |
| 11 × 14 inch | 40.7 mm | 35.3 mm |
| 12 × 16 inch | 53.4 mm | 60.7 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 A4 in inches?+
A4 is 8.27 × 11.69 inches (210 × 297 mm, or 21 × 29.7 cm).
What is A4 in pixels?+
At 72 dpi A4 is 595 × 842 pixels, at 150 dpi it is 1240 × 1754, and at 300 dpi it is 2480 × 3508. Use 300 dpi to scan or print artwork at full quality.
How much of the sheet can I draw on at A4?+
With a 20 mm margin around the edge, the drawing area on A4 is 170 × 257 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 A4 compare with A3 and A5?+
A4 is half the area of A3 and twice the area of A5. Each step scales the linear dimensions by about 1.414 (the square root of 2).