Paper size guide
A8 paper size
A8 measures 52 × 74 mm, which is 2.05 × 2.91 inches (5.2 × 7.4 cm). A8 is half of A7 and is around the size of a business card.
A8 dimensions
| Millimetres | 52 × 74 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 5.2 × 7.4 cm |
| Inches | 2.05 × 2.91 in |
| Points | 147 × 210 pt |
| Pixels at 72 dpi | 147 × 210 px |
| Pixels at 150 dpi | 307 × 437 px |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 614 × 874 px |
| Proportion | 1 : 1.423 |
Each A size is half the area of the one above. A8 is half of A7 and twice US Letter; the sides scale by 1.414 each step, so a drawing planned on US Letter enlarges to A8 without cropping.
Drawing on A8
For artists, A8 is mainly a thumbnail and value-sketch size for planning a composition before committing to a larger sheet.
Typical uses: value thumbnails, composition planning.
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 | 32 × 54 | 1.26 × 2.13 |
| 20 mm all round | 12 × 34 | 0.47 × 1.34 |
| 30 mm all round | -8 × 14 | -0.31 × 0.55 |
To copy a reference photo accurately onto A8, 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 A8
Frames sized exactly to A8 are not universal, so most artists mount the drawing and choose a larger standard frame. With a mount overlapping by roughly 6 mm each side, the visible image (aperture) is about 40 × 62 mm.
Standard frames that leave at least 20 mm of mount border around a A8 sheet:
| Frame | Side border | Top and bottom |
|---|---|---|
| A5 | 54 mm | 74 mm |
| A4 | 85 mm | 117.5 mm |
| A3 | 128.5 mm | 179 mm |
| A2 | 190 mm | 266 mm |
| A1 | 277 mm | 389.5 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 A8 in inches?+
A8 is 2.05 × 2.91 inches (52 × 74 mm, or 5.2 × 7.4 cm).
What is A8 in pixels?+
At 72 dpi A8 is 147 × 210 pixels, at 150 dpi it is 307 × 437, and at 300 dpi it is 614 × 874. Use 300 dpi to scan or print artwork at full quality.
How much of the sheet can I draw on at A8?+
With a 20 mm margin around the edge, the drawing area on A8 is 12 × 34 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 A8 compare with A7 and US Letter?+
A8 is half the area of A7 and twice the area of US Letter. Each step scales the linear dimensions by about 1.414 (the square root of 2).