Overview
ISO 216:2007 specifies the trimmed sizes of writing paper and certain classes of printed matter (A and B series) and defines how to indicate the machine direction of trimmed sheets. It applies to paper used for administrative, commercial and technical purposes and to printed items such as forms and catalogues. It excludes items normally covered by other standards (e.g., newspapers, published books, posters). The standard is metric-based and founded on the halving and similarity principles that produce the familiar ISO paper sizes (A0–A10 and B0–B10).
Key topics and technical requirements
- A and B series sizes
- A-series main sizes: A0 (841 × 1 189 mm; area = 1 m²) down to A10 (26 × 37 mm). A4 = 210 × 297 mm.
- B-series subsidiary sizes: B0 (1 000 × 1 414 mm) down to B10 (31 × 44 mm). B-series are geometrical means between adjacent A sizes.
- Underlying geometry
- Halving principle: each size is derived by cutting the previous size in half parallel to the shorter side (area ratio 2:1).
- Aspect ratio equals √2 (≈ 1.414), ensuring similarity when sheets are scaled or folded.
- Trimmed long sizes
- Long sizes (e.g., 1/3 A4 = 99 × 210 mm, 1/4 A4 = 74 × 210 mm) are obtained by dividing appropriate A sizes into 3, 4, or 8 parts parallel to the shorter side.
- Machine direction (MD) indication
- Sheet dimensions are given in millimetres; the second dimension is parallel to the machine direction (e.g., 594 mm × 841 mm).
- Optional suffixes: LG = long-grain (longer side parallel to MD), SG = short-grain (shorter side parallel to MD). Example: A2 SG or 297 mm × 210 mm SG.
- Tolerances and measurement
- Permissible dimensional tolerances depend on size: ±1.5 mm for dimensions ≤150 mm, ±2 mm for >150 mm ≤600 mm, ±3 mm for >600 mm.
- Measurements must be taken under the standard atmosphere specified in ISO 187.
Applications and users
ISO 216 is essential for:
- Paper manufacturers and converters (cut-size production)
- Commercial and packaging printers, copy shops, reprographic services
- Graphic designers and desktop publishers (layout and print planning)
- Procurement and quality-control teams specifying stationery and forms
- Manufacturers of labels, tickets and small-format printed matter using trimmed long sizes
Practical benefits include consistent cross-border sizing, simplified document handling (scaling/folding), and clearer specifications for ordering and quality acceptance.
Related standards
- ISO 187 - Standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing (referenced for measurement).
- ASTM D3460 - North American cut-size office paper (useful where non-ISO sizes are common).
Open preview (PDF)Writing paper and certain classes of printed matter — Trimmed sizes — A and B series, and indication of machine direction
