Paper size guide
A2 paper size
A2 measures 420 × 594 mm, which is 16.54 × 23.39 inches (42 × 59.4 cm). A2 is half of A1 and is widely stocked as drawing paper and in large sketch pads.
A2 dimensions
| Millimetres | 420 × 594 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 42 × 59.4 cm |
| Inches | 16.54 × 23.39 in |
| Points | 1191 × 1684 pt |
| Pixels at 72 dpi | 1191 × 1684 px |
| Pixels at 150 dpi | 2480 × 3508 px |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 4961 × 7016 px |
| Proportion | 1 : 1.414 |
Each A size is half the area of the one above. A2 is half of A1 and twice A3; the sides scale by 1.414 each step, so a drawing planned on A3 enlarges to A2 without cropping.
Drawing on A2
A2 is a popular step up for ambitious graphite and coloured pencil work. It is big enough to build presence and detail, but still manageable on a standard easel or table board.
Typical uses: detailed portraits, still life compositions, charcoal studies.
Usable drawing area with a margin
Most artists leave a margin so the drawing can be mounted and the edges stay clean.
| Margin | Drawing area (mm) | Drawing area (in) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 mm all round | 400 × 574 | 15.75 × 22.6 |
| 20 mm all round | 380 × 554 | 14.96 × 21.81 |
| 30 mm all round | 360 × 534 | 14.17 × 21.02 |
To copy a reference photo accurately onto A2, try the grid drawing tool, which scales a grid to your paper size. Choosing paper? See the best paper for coloured pencils and paper weight explained.
Framing A2
A A2 frame takes A2 unmounted. For a mounted drawing, the mount overlaps the sheet by roughly 6 mm each side, so the visible image (aperture) is about 408 × 582 mm.
Standard frames that leave at least 20 mm of mount border around a A2 sheet:
| Frame | Side border | Top and bottom |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 93 mm | 129.5 mm |
| 24 × 30 inch | 100.8 mm | 90 mm |
| 50 × 70 cm | 46 mm | 59 mm |
Try your own numbers in the frame and mount calculator, or read how to frame and mount a drawing.
Frequently asked questions
What size is A2 in inches?+
A2 is 16.54 × 23.39 inches (420 × 594 mm, or 42 × 59.4 cm).
What is A2 in pixels?+
At 72 dpi A2 is 1191 × 1684 pixels, at 150 dpi it is 2480 × 3508, and at 300 dpi it is 4961 × 7016. Use 300 dpi to scan or print artwork at full quality.
How much of the sheet can I draw on at A2?+
With a 20 mm margin around the edge, the drawing area on A2 is 380 × 554 mm. Leave more if you plan to mount the drawing, because a mount overlaps the paper by around 6 mm on each side.
How does A2 compare with A1 and A3?+
A2 is half the area of A1 and twice the area of A3. Each step scales the linear dimensions by about 1.414 (the square root of 2).