DL vs C5
DL is 110 × 220 mm; C5 is 162 × 229 mm. DL holds an A4 sheet folded into thirds; C5 holds A4 folded once or A5 flat. C5 is 52 mm taller and 9 mm longer, and it is the envelope to reach for when the contents are thick or should be folded only once.
| DL | C5 | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 110 mm | 162 mm | -52 mm |
| Height | 220 mm | 229 mm | -9 mm |
| Inches | 4.33 × 8.66 in | 6.38 × 9.02 in | |
| Pixels @ 300 dpi | 1,299 × 2,598 | 1,913 × 2,705 | |
| Area | 242 cm² | 371 cm² | 65% |
| Aspect ratio | 1:2 | 1:√2 | |
| Scale to fit | DL → C5: 104% | C5 → DL: 68% |
Choose DL when
Use DL for letters, invoices, statements and any mailing of up to about five A4 sheets folded into thirds. It is the standard business envelope, the size window envelopes come in, and the cheapest to post.
Choose C5 when
Use C5 for A4 documents folded once, A5 brochures and booklets flat, and thicker packs of up to about 20 sheets. It also carries A4 folded into thirds with room to spare, and it is the standard envelope for greeting cards larger than A6.
Which should you use?
DL for letters, C5 for anything that should not be folded twice. A single-fold C5 mailing looks better and lies flatter, and it is what to use for brochures, certificates on A5 and any document over five sheets.
There is no scaling between envelopes, but there is an insert rule: allow at least 3 mm of clearance on each side. A4 tri-folded is 210 × 99 mm and fits DL with 5 mm to spare; A4 folded once is 210 × 148 mm and fits C5 with 7 to 9 mm to spare each way.
Postage is the gotcha. DL always qualifies for the lowest letter rate; C5 does in most countries but check the thickness limit, since a thick C5 pack can tip into the large-letter band.
Questions about this comparison
What fits in a DL envelope?
An A4 sheet folded into thirds (210 × 99 mm), up to about five sheets. DL is 110 × 220 mm and leaves 5 mm of clearance on each side.
What fits in a C5 envelope?
An A5 sheet flat (148 × 210 mm), an A4 sheet folded in half, or an A4 tri-fold with extra room. C5 is 162 × 229 mm.
Is C5 bigger than DL?
Yes. C5 is 162 × 229 mm and DL is 110 × 220 mm, so C5 is 52 mm taller and 9 mm longer, with about twice the area.
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.