Japanese Quality, Global Pace
Our paper size chart below follows the strict guidelines set by International Standards (ISO) and Japanese Industry Standards (JIS).
MM (millimeters) will be used as the trim size with IN (inches) to serve alongside as a guide. Width will also precede before Height (Width x Height) .
Outside of the US, Canada, and parts of Mexico, paper sizes are usually designated as A, B, and C series.
| ISO & JIS A Sizes | ISO/DIN (German Standard) B Sizes | JIS B Sizes | ISO C Sizes | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | MMxMM | INxIN | Size | MMxMM | INxIN | Size | MMxMM | INxIN | Size | MMxMM | INxIN |
| 4A | 1682 x 2378 | 66.22x 93.622 | 4B | 2000 x 2828 | 78.74 x 111.34 | (Postcards, folders, or envelopes for ISO A Sizes) *Please reference below for more information about JIS standard envelopes |
|||||
| 2A | 1189 x 1682 | 46.81 x 66.22 | 2B | 1414 x 2000 | 55.67 x 78.74 | ||||||
| A0 | 841 × 1189 | 33.1 × 46.8 | B0 | 1000 × 1414 | 39.4 × 55.7 | B0 | 1030 × 1456 | 40.55 × 57.32 | C0 | 917 × 1297 | 36.1 × 51.1 |
| A1 | 594 × 841 | 23.4 × 33.1 | B1 | 707 × 1000 | 27.8 × 39.4 | B1 | 728 × 1030 | 28.66 × 40.55 | C1 | 648 × 917 | 25.5 × 36.1 |
| A2 | 420 × 594 | 16.5 × 23.4 | B2 | 500 × 707 | 19.7 × 27.8 | B2 | 515 × 728 | 20.28 × 28.66 | C2 | 458 × 648 | 18.0 × 25.5 |
| A3 | 297 × 420 | 11.7 × 16.5 | B3 | 353 × 500 | 13.9 × 19.7 | B3 | 364 × 515 | 14.33 × 20.28 | C3 | 324 × 458 | 12.8 × 18.0 |
| A4 | 210 × 297 | 8.27 × 11.7 | B4 | 250 × 353 | 9.84 × 13.9 | B4 | 257 × 364 | 10.12 × 14.33 | C4 | 229 × 324 | 9.02 × 12.8 |
| A5 | 148 × 210 | 5.83 × 8.27 | B5 | 176 × 250 | 6.93 × 9.84 | B5 | 182 × 257 | 7.17 × 10.12 | C5 | 162 × 229 | 6.38 × 9.02 |
| A6 | 105 × 148 | 4.13 × 5.83 | B6 | 125 × 176 | 4.92 × 6.93 | B6 | 128 × 182 | 5.04 × 7.17 | C6 | 114 × 162 | 4.49 × 6.38 |
| A7 | 74 × 105 | 2.91 × 4.13 | B7 | 88 × 125 | 3.46 × 4.92 | B7 | 91 × 128 | 3.58 × 5.04 | C7 | 81 × 114 | 3.19 × 4.49 |
| A8 | 52 × 74 | 2.05 × 2.91 | B8 | 62 × 88 | 2.44 × 3.46 | B8 | 64 × 91 | 2.52 × 3.58 | C8 | 57 × 81 | 2.24 × 3.19 |
| A9 | 37 × 52 | 1.46 × 2.05 | B9 | 44 × 62 | 1.73 × 2.44 | B9 | 45 × 64 | 1.77 × 2.52 | C9 | 40 × 57 | 1.57 × 2.24 |
| A10 | 26 × 37 | 1.02 × 1.46 | B10 | 31 × 44 | 1.22 × 1.73 | B10 | 32 × 45 | 1.26 × 1.77 | C10 | 28 × 40 | 1.10 × 1.57 |
| Examples of Commonly Printed Items: | |
|---|---|
| A0, A1 | technical drawings, posters |
| A1, A2 | flip charts |
| A2, A3 | drawings, diagrams, large tables |
| A4 | letters, magazines, forms, catalogs, laser printer and copying machine output |
| A5 | notepads |
| A6 | postcards |
| B5, A5, B6, A6 | books |
| C4, C5, C6 | envelopes for A4 letters: unfolded (C4), folded once (C5), folded twice (C6) |
| B4, A3 | newspapers, supported by most copying machines in addition to A4 |
| B8, A8 | playing cards |
JIS- standard envelopes are classified into 3 categories:
Most Japanese envelopes use the metric system with Width preceding Height (Width x Height).
Inches displayed in the chart below are only an approximation from MM ( 25.44 mm = 1 inch and rounded off).
And N.B. Sizes identified as ‘Nonstandard ‘ do not conform to Universal Postal Union requirements for correspondence envelopes.
| JIS | Name | MM | Inches | Usage and Comments |
|---|
| Chou 1 | 142 x 332 | 5 9/16 x 13 1/16 | Accepts A4 folded in half lengthwise; Nonstandard | |
| Yes | Chou 2 | 119 x 277 | 4 11/16 x 10 7/8 | Accepts B5 folded in half lengthwise; Nonstandard |
| Yes | Chou 3 | 120 x 235 | 4 3/4 x 9 1/4 | Accepts A4 folded in thirds; Very common |
| Chou 31 | 105 x 235 | 4 1/8 x 9 1/4 | Accepts A4 folded in thirds | |
| Chou 30 | 92 x 235 | 3 5/8 x 9 1/4 | Accepts A4 folded in fourths (twice in the same direction) | |
| Chou 40 | 90 x 225 | 3 9/16 x 8 7/8 | Accepts A4 folded in fourths (twice in the same direction) | |
| Yes | Chou 4 | 90 x 205 | 3 9/16 x 8 1/16 | Accepts JIS B5 folded in fourths (twice in the same direction); Very common |
| Kaku A3 | 320 x 440 | 12 5/8 x 17 5/16 | Accepts A3 flat, A2 folded in half; Nonstandard | |
| Kaku 0 | 287 x 382 | 11 5/16 x 15 1/16 | Accepts B4 flat, B3 folded in half; Nonstandard | |
| Kaku 1 | 270 x 382 | 10 5/8 x 15 1/16 | Accepts B4 flat, B3 folded in half; Nonstandard | |
| Yes | Kaku 2 | 240 x 332 | 9 7/16 x 13 1/16 | Accepts A4 flat, A3 folded in half; Nonstandard |
| Kaku Koku- sai A4 | 229 x 324 | 9 x 12 3/4 | Accepts A4 flat, A3 folded in half; Same size as ISO C4; Nonstandard | |
| Yes | Kaku 3 | 216 x 277 | 8 1/2 x 10 7/8 | Accepts B5 flat, B4 folded in half; Nonstandard |
| Yes | Kaku 4 | 197 x 267 | 7 3/4 x 10 1/2 | Accepts B5 flat, B4 folded in half; Nonstandard |
| Yes | Kaku 5 | 190 x 240 | 7 1/2 x 9 7/16 | Accepts A5 flat, A4 folded in half; Nonstandard |
| Yes | Kaku 6 | 162 x 229 | 6 3/8 x 9 | Accepts A5 flat, A4 folded in half; Same size as ISO C5; Nonstandard |
| Yes | Kaku 7 | 142 x 205 | 5 9/16 x 8 1/16 | Accepts B6 flat, B5 folded in half; Nonstandard |
| Yes | Kaku 8 | 119 x 197 | 4 11/16 x 7 3/4 | Pay envelope (for salaries, wages); Common for direct mail |
| Yes | You 0* or Furusu 10 | 235 x 120 | 9 1/4 x 4 3/4 | Accepts A4 folded in thirds; Same size as Chou 3 but has opening/flap on the long dimension (Western-style) |
| You 0* | 197 x 136 | 7 3/4 x 5 3/8 | For kyabine* (cabinet) size photos (165 mm x 120 mm); Nonstandard | |
| You 1** | 176 x 120 | 7 x 4 3/4 | Accepts B5 folded in quarters | |
| You 1** | 173 x 118 | 6 13/16 x 4 5/8 | Accepts B5 folded in quarters | |
| Yes | You 2 | 162 x 114 | 6 3/8 x 4 1/2 | Accepts A5 folded in half, A4 folded in quarters; Same size as ISO C6 |
| Yes | You 3 | 148 x 98 | 5 13/16 x 3 7/8 | Accepts B6 folded in half |
| Yes | You 4 | 235 x 105 | 9 1/4 x 4 1/8 | Accepts A4 folded in thirds |
| Yes | You 5 | 217 x 95 | 8 9/16 x 3 3/4 | Accepts A4 folded in fourths (twice in the same direction) |
| Yes | You 6 | 190 x 98 | 7 1/2 x 3 7/8 | Accepts B5 folded in thirds |
| Yes | You 7 | 165 x 92 | 6 1/2 x 3 5/8 | Accepts A4 folded in quarters, B4 folded in quarters |
*Since there are two different sizes called You 0 and JIS You 0. The latter will often be referenced as Furusu 10, which is derived from the word ‘fools’ or ‘foolscap’.
Kyabine is a metricated traditional Japanese size.
** Two different sizes may slightly vary for You 1, but the smaller size (173mm x 118 mm or 6 13/16 inches x 4 5/8 inches) is the standard paper-industry size.
Japanese Postcards
According to the Japan Post Service, local delivery rates can vary between 52 yen to 104 yen depending on what type of postcard it is. For any deliveries abroad, it can cost about 60 yen for surface mail, and 70 yen for airmail usage.
| Type of Postcard | Local Rates | International Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Postcard | 52 yen | 70 yen for airmail, 60 yen for surface mail |
| Standard postcard, for inkjet printing | 52 yen | 70 yen for airmail, 60 yen for surface mail |
| Standard postcard, Phalaenopsis orchid (52 yen) | 52 yen | 70 yen for airmail, 60 yen for surface mail |
| Reply-paid card | 104 yen | 70 yen for airmail, 60 yen for surface mail |
Although, for additional information about postcard size and weight requirements, please refer to Japan Post Services here: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/service/standard/two_size_en.html
If there are any questions in regards to paper sizes or other paper-related inquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact our staff.
