A5 vs A6
A5 is 148 × 210 mm; A6 is 105 × 148 mm. A6 is exactly half of A5, one quarter of A4, and shares the 1:√2 shape, so A5 reduces to A6 at 71 percent and four A6 pages fit on one A4 sheet.
| A5 | A6 | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 148 mm | 105 mm | +43 mm |
| Height | 210 mm | 148 mm | +62 mm |
| Inches | 5.83 × 8.27 in | 4.13 × 5.83 in | |
| Pixels @ 300 dpi | 1,748 × 2,480 | 1,240 × 1,748 | |
| Area | 310.8 cm² | 155.4 cm² | 200% |
| Aspect ratio | 1:√2 | 1:√2 | |
| Scale to fit | A5 → A6: 70% | A6 → A5: 141% |
Choose A5 when
Use A5 for booklets, notebooks, flyers with real text, menus and pocket diaries. It is the smallest size that still reads comfortably at 10 pt.
Choose A6 when
Use A6 for postcards, greeting cards, small flyers, tickets, pocket notebooks and appointment cards. It fits a C6 envelope flat and is the ISO postcard size.
Which should you use?
A5 is the smallest page for reading; A6 is the largest card for a pocket. Anything with paragraphs belongs on A5. Anything with a headline, a picture and a few lines belongs on A6.
Scaling is exact: A5 to A6 is 71 percent and A6 to A5 is 141 percent. A6 flyers impose four-up on A4 and eight-up on A3, which is why printers quote them cheaply.
For postcards, order A6 on card of 300 gsm or heavier. Standard 80 gsm A6 paper is too flimsy for the post and will jam most printers when fed as a single small sheet.
Questions about this comparison
What size is A6 compared to A5?
A6 (105 × 148 mm) is exactly half of A5 (148 × 210 mm). Two A6 sheets side by side make one A5.
What is A6 in inches?
A6 is 4.13 × 5.83 in. The closest US size is the 4 × 6 in postcard or photo (101.6 × 152.4 mm).
How many A6 cards fit on an A4 sheet?
Four. A4 (210 × 297 mm) divides into four A6 cards (105 × 148 mm) with no waste, or two A5 sheets.
Scale one onto the other
The exact percentage for the print dialog, either direction.
Measure it, name it
Not sure which one you have? Type its width and height.