B5 vs A4 Paper Size: What’s the Difference?

When choosing paper for printing, notebooks, or office work, many people compare B5 vs A4 paper size.
While both are popular, they are not the same size and are used for different purposes.

This guide explains the size difference, uses, and which one to choose.

B5 vs A4 Paper Dimensions

Here are the standard measurements.

Paper Size	Width	Height
B5	176 mm	250 mm
A4	210 mm	297 mm

In Inches (Approx.)

Paper Size	Width	Height
B5	6.9 in	9.8 in
A4	8.3 in	11.7 in

Size Difference Explained

• A4 is larger than B5
• A4 gives more writing and printing space
• B5 is more compact and easier to carry

👉 If you place B5 on top of A4, A4 will stick out on all sides.

Common Uses

B5 Paper Size

Best for:

• Notebooks and journals
• Planners and diaries
• School notebooks
• Personal writing

A4 Paper Size

Best for:

• Office documents
• Printing and photocopying
• Reports and forms
• Letters and resumes

Printing Compatibility

• Most printers are designed for A4
• B5 printing may require:
  • Custom printer settings
  • Manual paper tray adjustment

If you print often, A4 is the safer choice.

Simple Example

Think of it like this:

• B5 → Portable notebook size
• A4 → Standard office paper size

One is easy to carry, the other is better for full documents.

B5 vs A4: Quick Comparison

Feature	B5	A4
Overall Size	Smaller	Larger
Portability	Easy	Less portable
Printing	Limited support	Widely supported
Office Use	Rare	Very common
Notebook Use	Very common	Less common

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose B5 if:

• You want a compact notebook
• You write by hand often
• Portability matters

Choose A4 if:

• You print documents regularly
• You need standard office size
• You want wide printer support

Final Thoughts

• A4 is bigger and more common worldwide
• B5 is smaller and great for notebooks
• Both sizes have clear use cases

Choosing the right paper size depends on how and where you use it.