What Size Is Legal Paper? Legal vs A4 vs Letter Size

Category: Edit PDF

June 6, 2025 9 mins read

Did you know that using the wrong paper size could make your important documents look unprofessional or even cause printing issues? When it comes to legal, A4, and letter sizes, understanding the exact dimensions is key—especially if you deal with contracts, reports, or official paperwork.

So, what size is legal paper, and how does it stack up against A4 and letter sizes? In this article, we’ll break down the differences and help you choose the right paper for every occasion.

Legal paper is a commonly used paper size in the United States and Canada, particularly in legal, government, and business settings. It is longer than the standard letter size, providing more space for content-heavy documents such as contracts, agreements, and formal filings.

Below is a comprehensive table comparing legal paper with other standard commercial paper sheet sizes:

Note

The most widely used legal paper size is 8.5 × 14 inches (21.6 × 35.6 cm) — this is the format typically referred to as “legal size” in North America.

When it comes to printing or preparing official documents, knowing the exact size of legal paper is essential. Unlike standard paper sizes, legal paper offers extra length—perfect for contracts, agreements, and documents that require more space.

So what are the dimensions of legal paper?

• In inches: 8.5 × 14
• In millimeters: 215.9 × 355.6
• In centimeters: 21.6 × 35.6

That extra 3 inches in length compared to U.S. Letter size (8.5 × 11) allows for longer text blocks, signature sections, and detailed formatting without cramping the layout.

When working with documents across different countries or industries, understanding the differences between legal, A4, and letter paper sizes is essential. These paper types vary in dimensions and are often used for different purposes depending on regional standards.

Here’s a detailed comparison table to help you see how they stack up:

Key Takeaways:

• Legal paper is longer than both A4 and Letter, ideal for documents needing more space.
• A4 is the international standard, widely used in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
• Letter is shorter and more compact, commonly used in North America for general office tasks.

Not sure which paper size to use? Each type—Legal, A4, and Letter—is best suited for specific purposes. Choosing the right one ensures your documents look professional and are easy to print, share, or file.

Use Legal Paper (8.5 × 14 inches) if:

• You're working on contracts, legal documents, or government forms
• You need extra space for long clauses, detailed tables, or multiple signatures
• You’re in the U.S. or Canada, where legal paper is commonly used in legal and real estate sectors.

Use A4 Paper (210 × 297 mm) if:

• You're creating documents for international use, especially in Europe, Asia, or Africa
• You’re printing reports, letters, or academic work outside of North America
• You need to follow ISO paper standards, often required by global organizations.

Use Letter Paper (8.5 × 11 inches) if:

• You’re preparing everyday documents like letters, school assignments, or office memos
• You’re based in the United States or Canada, where this is the default paper size
• You want full compatibility with North American printers and folders.

Quick Tip

If you're sending documents abroad, saving as a PDF with A4 layout ensures the file opens properly across devices and regions.

Printing on legal-size paper requires a few extra steps to ensure your documents come out correctly. Follow these simple tips to avoid common printing issues and maintain a professional layout.

1 Check Your Printer Compatibility

Before you begin, make sure your printer supports legal-size paper (8.5 × 14 inches). While most modern printers do, some home or compact models may only handle standard letter or A4 sizes. Check the printer manual or manufacturer's website for compatibility details.

2 Set the Correct Paper Size

In your document editor or print dialog, always select “Legal” as the paper size. If you leave it on the default setting, your content may be cut off or scaled incorrectly. This step is crucial for ensuring your layout and margins remain intact.

3 Load the Paper in the Right Tray

If your printer has multiple trays or a manual feed slot, load the legal paper into the appropriate one. Be sure to adjust the paper guides to fit snugly and avoid skewed or jammed prints.

4 Preview Before Printing

Use the “Print Preview” function to double-check how your document will appear on legal-size paper. This helps you spot misaligned text, extra pages, or cutoff sections before wasting ink and paper.

5 Adjust Margins and Scaling if Needed

Some content may have been designed for letter or A4 sizes, so resizing may be necessary. Use the “Fit to Page” or “Scale to Paper Size” options to make sure your content fits perfectly within the legal dimensions without compromising readability.

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In summary, knowing the differences between Legal, A4, and Letter paper sizes helps ensure your documents are formatted correctly for their intended use. Legal paper, at 8.5 x 14 inches, offers extra length for detailed legal documents, while A4 and Letter sizes suit other standard needs. Using a tool like PDFacademy can simplify working with these formats, allowing you to easily create, edit, and convert PDFs to the right size—helping legal professionals and others maintain a polished, professional appearance across all documents.

Heather Marston

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