Paper Sizes South Africa: A0-A6 Chart + Business Card Size [2026]

The Quick Answer#

South Africa uses the ISO 216 paper size standard (A-series). Here are the most common sizes:

Need paper sizes for printing? Order online at Printulu — South Africa's leading online printing company with nationwide delivery.

Jump to a Paper Size#

• 1A0 paper size
• 2A1 paper size
• 3A2 paper size
• 4A3 paper size
• 5A4 paper size
• 6A5 paper size
• 7A6 paper size
• 8Paper weight calculator

Understanding Paper Sizes in South Africa#

South Africa follows the ISO 216 international standard for paper sizes. This means every A-size paper is exactly half the size of the previous one when folded in half.

Here's how it works:

• 1A0 is the largest standard size (841 × 1189 mm) — roughly 1 square metre
• 2A1 is half of A0
• 3A2 is half of A1
• 4A3 is half of A2
• 5A4 is half of A3 (the most common size)
• 6A5 is half of A4
• 7A6 is half of A5
• 8A7 is half of A6
• 9A8 is half of A7

This halving pattern means every A-size paper has the same aspect ratio (1:√2 or approximately 1:1.414). This is why you can scale documents between sizes without distortion.

Complete A-Series Paper Size Chart#

Here's every A-size paper dimension in millimetres, centimetres, and inches:

A0 Paper Size#

A0 dimensions: 841 × 1189 mm (84.1 × 118.9 cm, 33.1 × 46.8 inches)

A0 is the largest standard A-series size and is used for large plans, technical drawings, posters, wall charts, and display graphics. Because A0 is too large for standard office printers, it usually needs professional large-format printing.

A1 Paper Size#

A1 dimensions: 594 × 841 mm (59.4 × 84.1 cm, 23.4 × 33.1 inches)

A1 is half the size of A0 and twice the size of A2. In South Africa, A1 is commonly used for posters, architectural drawings, retail displays, classroom charts, and presentation boards.

A2 Paper Size#

A2 dimensions: 420 × 594 mm (42.0 × 59.4 cm, 16.5 × 23.4 inches)

A2 is half the size of A1 and twice the size of A3. It works well for medium posters, presentation graphics, signage, diagrams, and menu boards where A3 is too small but A1 is too large.

A3 Paper Size#

A3 dimensions: 297 × 420 mm (29.7 × 42.0 cm, 11.7 × 16.5 inches)

A3 is twice the size of A4 and is commonly used for:

• 1Posters — Small promotional posters and event flyers
• 2Diagrams and charts — Technical drawings, architectural plans
• 3Presentations — Flip charts, presentation boards
• 4Menus — Restaurant menus and food catalogues
• 5Certificates — Award certificates and diplomas

Printing tip: A3 is the largest size most standard office printers can handle. For larger sizes (A2, A1, A0), you'll need a professional printing service like Printulu.

A4 Paper Size#

A4 dimensions: 210 × 297 mm (21.0 × 29.7 cm, 8.3 × 11.7 inches)

A4 is the most common paper size in South Africa and is used for:

• 1Letters and documents — Standard business correspondence
• 2Flyers and leaflets — Promotional materials and handouts
• 3Reports — Business reports and academic papers
• 4Magazines — Standard magazine format
• 5Forms — Application forms and invoices

Fun fact: A4 is the default paper size in South Africa, Europe, Australia, and most of the world. The US and Canada use "Letter" size (8.5 × 11 inches) instead, which is slightly wider and shorter than A4.

A5 Paper Size#

A5 dimensions: 148 × 210 mm (14.8 × 21.0 cm, 5.8 × 8.3 inches)

A5 is half the size of A4 and is commonly used for:

• 1Booklets and brochures — Small brochures and product catalogues
• 2Notepads — Personal notepads and journals
• 3Flyers — Half-page flyers and handouts
• 4Invitations — Wedding and event invitations
• 5Programmes — Event programmes and theatre playbills

A6 Paper Size#

A6 dimensions: 105 × 148 mm (10.5 × 14.8 cm, 4.1 × 5.8 inches)

A6 is half the size of A5 and is commonly used for:

• 1Postcards — Mailing postcards and promotional cards
• 2Business cards — Standard South African business cards (though 90 × 50 mm is more common)
• 3Thank you cards — Greeting cards and thank you notes
• 4Tickets — Event tickets and raffle tickets
• 5Labels — Product labels and address labels

B-Series Paper Sizes#

The B-series is less common but used for specific applications:

C-Series Paper Sizes (Envelopes)#

C-series sizes are designed to fit A-series paper:

Paper Weight (GSM) Guide#

Paper size is only half the story. Paper weight (GSM) determines how thick and sturdy the paper feels:

Not sure which paper weight to use? Try our free Paper Weight Calculator to calculate the exact weight and cost for your print job.

Common Printing Applications by Paper Size#

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