Paper size guide
US Letter paper size
US Letter measures 215.9 × 279.4 mm, which is 8.5 × 11 inches (21.59 × 27.94 cm). US Letter (8.5 × 11 inches) is the standard office paper size in the United States and Canada.
US Letter dimensions
| Millimetres | 215.9 × 279.4 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 21.59 × 27.94 cm |
| Inches | 8.5 × 11 in |
| Points | 612 × 792 pt |
| Pixels at 72 dpi | 612 × 792 px |
| Pixels at 150 dpi | 1275 × 1650 px |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 2550 × 3300 px |
| Proportion | 1 : 1.294 |
Drawing on US Letter
Letter is slightly wider and shorter than A4. Many American sketch pads and printer papers use it, so it is a natural size for everyday drawing and for printing reference photos.
Typical uses: sketch pads in the us, printing references, small finished drawings.
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 | 195.9 × 259.4 | 7.71 × 10.21 |
| 20 mm all round | 175.9 × 239.4 | 6.93 × 9.43 |
| 30 mm all round | 155.9 × 219.4 | 6.14 × 8.64 |
To copy a reference photo accurately onto US Letter, 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 US Letter
Frames sized exactly to US Letter 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 203.9 × 267.4 mm.
Standard frames that leave at least 20 mm of mount border around a US Letter sheet:
| Frame | Side border | Top and bottom |
|---|---|---|
| A3 | 46.6 mm | 76.3 mm |
| A2 | 108.1 mm | 163.3 mm |
| A1 | 195.1 mm | 286.8 mm |
| 11 × 14 inch | 37.7 mm | 44.1 mm |
| 12 × 16 inch | 50.5 mm | 69.5 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 US Letter in inches?+
US Letter is 8.5 × 11 inches (215.9 × 279.4 mm, or 21.59 × 27.94 cm).
What is US Letter in pixels?+
At 72 dpi US Letter is 612 × 792 pixels, at 150 dpi it is 1275 × 1650, and at 300 dpi it is 2550 × 3300. Use 300 dpi to scan or print artwork at full quality.
How much of the sheet can I draw on at US Letter?+
With a 20 mm margin around the edge, the drawing area on US Letter is 175.9 × 239.4 mm. Leave more if you plan to mount the drawing, because a mount overlaps the paper by around 6 mm on each side.