When it comes to paper, two sizes reign supreme: letter and legal. Letter size, measuring 8.5 x 11 inches, is the standard for everyday documents. Legal size, at 8.5 x 14 inches, offers extra length often needed for contracts and other official paperwork.
Knowing the difference between letter vs legal paper size can save you headaches. Using the right paper ensures your documents fit properly, meet specific requirements, and look professional.
It’s also worth noting that the U.S. paper sizes (Legal, Letter, Ledger/Tabloid) differ from the international standard sizes (ISO 216, A, B, and C series) used around the globe.
What are letter and legal paper sizes?
You might think that all paper is created equal, but when it comes to the dimensions of the sheets you’re printing on, there can be significant differences.
Letter size paper
- Dimensions: 8.5 inches wide x 11 inches long
- Common uses: Letters, reports, and everyday printing
- Standard for most home and office printers
Legal size paper
- Dimensions: 8.5 inches wide x 14 inches long
- Common uses: Legal documents, contracts, and forms filed with legal entities
- Offers more vertical space for long documents or multiple signatures
Letter vs. Legal: Key Differences
While both letter and legal paper are common, they serve different purposes. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:
- Length: Legal paper is longer than letter paper by 3 inches.
- Applications: Letter paper is used for general documents. Legal paper is usually used for legal documents and contracts.
- Filing: Legal size paper won’t fit in many standard filing cabinets.
- Printer Compatibility: Not every printer can handle legal-size paper. Before buying it, make sure your printer can print on it.
Choosing the right size can ensure your documents are professional and easy to manage.
When to use legal size paper
Legal size paper definitely has its place. Here are a few situations where it’s the better choice.
Legal documents
- Court filings. Courts often require legal size paper for official documents, so it’s a good idea to check what the court requires before you print.
- Contracts. Legal size paper offers extra room for detailed clauses and signatures.
- Agreements. If you have a complex agreement that needs more space than a standard sheet of paper can provide, legal size paper might be the way to go.
Documents requiring more space
- Long forms. When a standard letter-size sheet isn’t big enough to contain the whole form, legal size paper can be a lifesaver.
- Spreadsheets. If you need to print a large spreadsheet with a lot of rows, legal size paper will give you the extra length you need.
Practical considerations
If you’re going to use legal size paper, make sure you:
- Adjust your printer settings to accommodate legal size paper.
- Use the right folders and filing cabinets for storing legal size documents.
U.S. vs. international paper sizes
You may not realize it, but the paper size you use every day in the U.S. is specific to this country. Most of the rest of the world uses a standardized paper-size system known as ISO 216.
Introduction to ISO 216
The ISO 216 system uses a series of paper sizes designated A0 to A10. The most common size in this series is A4, which measures 8.3 x 11.7 inches. As you can see, it’s a little different from the letter size we use in the U.S.
Differences and uses
The A3 size is often used for posters and architectural plans. The smaller A5 and A6 sizes are common for postcards and smaller documents.
Practical implications
If you’re sending documents overseas, it’s good to be aware of the differences in paper sizes. You may also need to adjust the settings on your printer, depending on the size of the paper you’re using.
How to organize legal documents
If you work with legal documents, staying organized is critical. After all, you don’t want to lose track of important papers!
One option is to use custom tab dividers. You can order these online or through office supply stores, specifying the categories that make the most sense for your needs.
Also, be sure to have filing cabinets and folders that are large enough to accommodate legal-size paper. Trying to cram legal documents into letter-sized folders will only lead to frustration.
Frequently Asked Questions
When to use legal size paper
Legal size paper (8.5 x 14 inches) is often used for legal documents, contracts, and other documents where a larger writing area is needed. It’s useful for fitting more text on a single page or accommodating larger tables and charts. It is also useful if you need to include a signature block at the bottom of a document, or include more detailed information such as footnotes and endnotes.
Does anyone still use legal size paper
Yes, legal size paper is still used, although it’s less common than letter size. It remains a standard in the legal profession and some other industries where longer documents are frequently created. Using legal size paper can help you save paper and reduce printing costs.
What size is legal vs letter vs tabloid
Here’s a quick size comparison:
- Letter: 8.5 x 11 inches
- Legal: 8.5 x 14 inches
- Tabloid: 11 x 17 inches
Tabloid is also known as ledger size paper.
Are legal size and letter size the same
No, legal size and letter size are not the same. They have the same width (8.5 inches), but legal size paper is longer (14 inches) than letter size paper (11 inches). This difference in length makes legal size paper suitable for documents that require more space than letter size can provide.
The Bottom Line
Letter and legal paper sizes each have their place. Letter paper is the standard for everyday use, while legal paper is better suited for contracts, transcripts, and other documents that contain a lot of information.
Choosing the right paper size is important. Think about the content you’re printing, what you’ll use it for, and whether there are any legal requirements you need to meet.
Finally, keep in mind that your printer needs to be compatible with the paper size you select, and you’ll need a filing system that works for the paper size you use. Good document management will save you time and frustration in the long run.