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Print fundamentals · 1 min read

Architectural paper sizes

ARCH drawing-sheet sizes in inches and millimetres, with their common alternative names.

The ARCH series is widely used in the United States for architectural, landscape and engineering drawing sets. These sheet sizes are distinct from ANSI sizes, even where a format looks similar. Check the title-block convention, plotting device and client requirements before setting up a document.

ARCH drawing-sheet sizes

Name Secondary name Size in millimeters Size in inches
Arch A Arch 1 229 mm x 305 mm 9 in x 12 in
Arch B Arch 2 305 mm x 457 mm 12 in x 18 in
Arch C Arch 3 457 mm x 610 mm 18 in x 24 in
Arch D Arch 4 610 mm x 914 mm 24 in x 36 in
Arch E1 Arch 5 762 mm x 1067 mm 30 in x 42 in
Arch E Arch 6 914 mm x 1219 mm 36 in x 48 in

Before 1995 a different paper size was used called the American National Standard ANSI/ASME Y14.1, or the ANSI sizes for short. In 1995, the revises the standard and created the architectural paper sizes.

ANSI Paper sizes

ANSI Name Size in millimeters Size in inches
A 216 mm x 279 mm 8.5 in x 11 in
B 279 mm x 432 mm 11 in x 17 in
C 432 mm x 559 mm 17 in x 22 in
D 559 mm x 864 mm 22 in x 34 in
E 864 mm x 1118 mm 34 in x 44 in