A4 Paper Size Overview
A4 paper is the most widely used paper size internationally, part of the ISO 216 standard. It's the standard choice for documents, letters, magazines, and printing across Europe, Asia, and most countries worldwide (except North America).
A4 Paper Dimensions
Physical Dimensions
- Inches: 8.27 × 11.69 inches
- Centimeters: 21.0 × 29.7 cm
- Millimeters: 210 × 297 mm
- Points: 595 × 842 pt
Digital Dimensions at 300 DPI
When working with digital images or designs intended for high-quality printing, A4 paper at 300 DPI (dots per inch) resolution requires:
2481 × 3508 pixels
This resolution ensures crisp, professional-quality prints suitable for:
- Business documents
- Marketing materials
- Magazines and brochures
- Photo prints
- Academic papers
Why 300 DPI Matters for A4 Printing
300 DPI is considered the gold standard for print resolution because:
- Professional Quality: Provides sharp, clear text and images
- Industry Standard: Widely accepted by commercial printers
- Optimal Balance: Perfect balance between file size and print quality
- Detail Preservation: Maintains fine details in graphics and photographs
A4 vs Other Paper Sizes
A4 paper is slightly narrower and longer than US Letter size (8.5" × 11"), making it more efficient for text-heavy documents while providing elegant proportions based on the √2 aspect ratio.
Common Applications for A4 Paper
- Business Documents: Letters, reports, invoices
- Academic Use: Research papers, assignments, dissertations
- Marketing Materials: Flyers, brochures, catalogs
- Personal Use: Forms, applications, personal letters
- Digital Design: Website mockups, app interfaces
Design Tips for A4 Format
Margins and Bleed
- Standard margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides
- For commercial printing: Add 3-5mm bleed area
- Total canvas size with bleed: 216 × 303 mm
Typography Considerations
- Ideal for 10-12pt body text
- Comfortable reading width allows for single or multi-column layouts
- Perfect for both portrait and landscape orientations
File Formats and A4
When saving A4 designs:
- PDF: Best for documents and print-ready files
- JPEG: Good for image-heavy content (use high quality settings)
- PNG: Ideal for graphics with transparency
- TIFF: Professional choice for high-end printing
Conclusion
Understanding A4 paper dimensions is essential for anyone working in design, printing, or document creation. With its dimensions of 210 × 297 mm (8.27 × 11.69 inches) and a digital resolution of 2481 × 3508 pixels at 300 DPI, A4 provides the perfect canvas for professional documents and creative projects worldwide.
Whether you're designing marketing materials, preparing academic papers, or creating business documents, A4's standardized dimensions ensure compatibility across different devices, printers, and international markets.