A5 Size in cm: Dimensions, Comparison, and Printing Guide

You’ve probably held a piece of A5 paper without thinking twice. It’s the size of a slim notepad, a greeting card, or a wedding invitation—small enough to fit in a bag, large enough to hold a decent message. But when you need its exact dimensions in centimeters, or you’re trying to figure out how to print on it, the details matter.

A5 width in cm: 14.8 cm · A5 height in cm: 21.0 cm · A5 area: 312.5 cm² · Relation to A4: Exactly half · A5 width in inches: 5.8 in · A5 height in inches: 8.3 in

This guide nails down the numbers and gives you the practical steps to work with A5 confidently. The standard is fixed, but the applications vary—knowing both saves time and material.

The table below compiles the core specifications that every designer and printer needs at a glance.

What are the dimensions of A5 paper?

A5 size in millimeters

The official ISO 216 definition puts A5 at exactly 148 × 210 mm. That width–height pair is the basis for every print job, from flyers to booklets. Neenah Paper (paper manufacturer) confirms these numbers as the global standard, and BachelorPrint (printing guide) notes that 148 mm is the width in portrait orientation, while 210 mm is the height.

In centimeters, that’s 14.8 × 21.0 cm. Some commercial guides round to 14.81 × 21.01 cm due to rounding conventions, but the actual ISO figure is 148 × 210 mm. Quill (office supplies retailer) points out these rounding differences in their reference guides.

A5 size in inches

For US‑based readers, A5 measures about 5.8 × 8.3 inches. Pixartprinting (print services provider) lists this conversion in its paper‑size guide, noting that it’s slightly taller and narrower than the US letter half‑fold.

A5 size in pixels (at 300 dpi)

When designing for print, a resolution of 300 dpi is standard. At that density, an A5 canvas is 1748 × 2480 pixels. Pixartprinting (print services provider) provides this pixel dimension, which is useful for setting up documents in Photoshop or Illustrator.

The implication: one set of numbers governs every professional print run, so verifying your document settings against these figures prevents costly reprints.

Is A5 exactly half A4?

Why A5 is exactly half of A4

Yes, A5 is precisely half the area of A4. The A‑series works by folding: take an A4 sheet (210 × 297 mm), fold it in half along the longer side, and you get two A5 sheets (148 × 210 mm). PrintReadyKit (print reference site) explains that this relationship holds because the series uses a constant aspect ratio of 1:√2.

That ratio means if you scale an A4 document down to A5, the proportions stay identical. Adobe (design software leader) emphasises that this makes layout transfer between sizes seamless.

Comparison table: A5 vs A4 dimensions

Two paper sizes, one clear relationship.

The implication: if you need two A5 pages from one A4 sheet, you can cut (or fold) exactly in half. No waste, no awkward margins.

How the A‑series ratio works

The ISO 216 system defines sizes so that each next size (A4 → A5 → A6) halves the area while keeping the same 1:√2 side ratio. Hall of Print (paper size guide) describes this as a “self‑sizing” property: scale any A‑series document up or down, and the content reflows proportionally.

The pattern: once you design for one A‑series size, you’ve effectively designed for all of them—scale factor is the only variable.

How to convert A4 to A5 paper?

Using printer settings to scale down

Most modern printers let you scale an A4 document to A5 directly in the print dialog. Set the paper size to A5 and the scaling option to “Fit” — the driver automatically reduces the layout by 70.7% (the square root of 0.5). Helloprint (online printing service) recommends checking the “scale to fit” box to avoid clipping.

Manual cutting method

The simplest DIY method: cut an A4 sheet in half along the longer side (297 mm edge). You’ll get two exact A5 sheets. Aura Print (print company) notes that a sharp paper cutter or a guillotine works best for clean edges.

Software conversion (PDF, Word)

In Adobe Acrobat, go to “Print” → “Page Size & Handling” → “Custom Scale” and enter 70.7%. In Microsoft Word, change the page layout to A5 before printing — the content will reflow automatically. Adobe (design software leader) provides detailed steps for these conversions.

What this means: there is no guesswork—the scale factor and the cut line are the same number expressed differently.

Is A5 the same as 5×7?

A5 vs 5×7 inch dimensions

No, A5 is not 5×7. A5 measures 5.8 × 8.3 inches, so it’s both wider and taller than a 5×7 inch card. Design Your Way (design resource) highlights that 5×7 is a traditional photo print size, not an ISO standard.

In centimeters, 5×7 inches equals roughly 12.7 × 17.8 cm — noticeably smaller than A5’s 14.8 × 21.0 cm.

Paper size closest to 5×7

The closest standard ISO size to 5×7 is A5 (5.8 × 8.3 in). Aura Print (print company) notes that many stationery shops sell “5×7” cards that are actually A5‑sized because they can be cut down, but the two are not interchangeable unless you trim.

A5 for wedding invitations: size considerations

A5 is a popular choice for wedding invitations, but it can feel slightly large for a single‑fold card. Aura Print (print company) suggests that A5 works well for invitation suites that include multiple enclosures, while a single‑fold invitation may be better suited to A6 (10.5 × 14.8 cm). Ultimately, the preference is subjective — some couples like the generous canvas, others prefer a more compact size.

The catch: what you gain in canvas space you may lose in postage budget—couples should weigh design freedom against mailing costs.

How do I print A5 on my printer?

Checking printer compatibility

Most home printers support A5 paper, but not all have a dedicated A5 tray. Helloprint (online printing service) advises checking your printer manual for “paper size support” — if A5 isn’t listed, you may need to use the manual feed slot.

Setting custom paper size in print dialog

In Windows, open “Printers & scanners” → “Print server properties” → “Create a new paper size” and enter 148 × 210 mm. On a Mac, go to Page Setup → “Paper Size” → “Manage Custom Sizes”. BachelorPrint (printing guide) provides step‑by‑step screenshots for both operating systems.

Printing A5 documents on A4 paper

If you only have A4 paper, you can still print A5 content by selecting “A5” as the paper size in the print settings — the printer will scale the content down and leave margins. Alternatively, load the A4 paper and choose “2‑up” (two A5 pages per sheet) to save paper. Helloprint (online printing service) recommends this approach for drafts.

Using A5 paper trays

Some printers, especially business‑class models, include a dedicated A5 tray or adjustable guides. Align the paper stack to the tray’s A5 markings and select “A5” in the printer driver. Aura Print (print company) notes that using the correct tray prevents jams and ensures accurate registration.

Step‑by‑Step Guide to Printing A5

1. Prepare your document. Set the page size to A5 (148 × 210 mm) in Word, Google Docs, or your design software.
2. Check printer support. Look up your printer model online — search for “A5 paper support [model]”. Helloprint (online printing service) has a compatibility list.
3. Load the paper. If you have A5 sheets, load them in the tray or manual feed. If you only have A4, proceed to step 4.
4. Adjust print settings. In the print dialog, select “A5” as the paper size. If using A4 paper, check “Scale to fit” to automatically reduce the A5 content.
5. Print a test page. Run one page first to check alignment and margins. Adjust scaling if content is cut off.
6. Print the full document. Once the test page looks good, print the rest.

For frequent A5 printing, consider buying a dedicated A5 paper tray or a small guillotine to cut A4 sheets in half. Aura Print (print company) recommends the latter for budget‑conscious users.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• A5 dimensions are 148 × 210 mm — confirmed by Neenah Paper (paper manufacturer) and Adobe (design software leader)
• A5 is exactly half the area of A4 — PrintReadyKit (print reference site)
• Most modern printers support A5 with proper settings — Helloprint (online printing service)
• A5 is not the same as 5×7 inches — Design Your Way (design resource)

What’s unclear

• Printer compatibility with A5 varies by model; check your manual before assuming it works — Helloprint (online printing service)
• Whether A5 is the right size for wedding invitations is subjective — Aura Print (print company) notes that A6 is often preferred for single‑fold cards

The pattern: the hardware question is model-dependent, while the design question is taste-dependent—neither is a one-size-fits-all answer.

Perspectives from the industry

A5 is the workhorse of the ISO A‑series. Its dimensions are exactly half of A4, which makes it ideal for booklets, flyers, and notebooks that need to be portable but still legible.

— Neenah Paper (paper manufacturer)

When designing for A5, remember that the aspect ratio is the same as A4. That means you can design once and scale between sizes without losing proportions.

— Adobe (design software leader)

Most home printers can handle A5, but you may need to use the manual feed slot if your model doesn’t have a dedicated tray. Always check the manual first.

— Helloprint (online printing service)

Why A5 matters for your next project

Whether you’re designing a wedding invitation, printing a promotional leaflet, or setting up a notebook, knowing the exact dimensions of A5 saves time and money. The size is versatile enough to fit in a pocket yet large enough to hold readable content. For anyone working in print, the A‑series standard is a reliable foundation — and A5 sits right in the middle of it. For the designer or small business owner in Europe or Asia, the choice to use A5 is clear: it’s the most cost‑effective size for small‑format print runs, with no wasted paper and guaranteed compatibility with the global supply chain.

Frequently asked questions