The most common UK booklet sizes are A5 (148 x 210mm), A4 (210 x 297mm) and A6 (105 x 148mm). A5 is the most popular because it is easy to hold, easy to post and works for almost everything. Square booklets of 210 x 210mm are also common for brochures and lookbooks.
Choosing a booklet size can feel like a small decision, but it affects almost everything else: how much text fits on a page, how the booklet feels in the hand, how much it costs to print, and how much it costs to post.
This guide lists the standard UK sizes, explains how they are made from folded sheets, and helps you pick the right one.
Why UK booklets use A sizes
UK printers use the international “A” series of paper sizes. The idea behind it is neat. Each size is exactly half the size of the one above it. Fold an A3 sheet in half and you get A4. Fold A4 and you get A5. Fold A5 and you get A6.
This is what makes booklet printing so tidy. The flat sheet size is double the finished page size. An A4 sheet folded in half makes an A5 booklet. An A3 sheet folded in half makes an A4 booklet.
Standard booklet sizes at a glance
| Size | Finished page (mm) | Printed on sheet | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A6 | 105 x 148 | A5 | Pocket guides, small programmes, instruction booklets |
| A5 | 148 x 210 | A4 | Menus, brochures, handbooks, event programmes |
| A4 | 210 x 297 | A3 | Catalogues, magazines, reports, portfolios |
| Square | 210 x 210 | 420 x 210 | Lookbooks, photo books, creative brochures |
| DL | 99 x 210 | 198 x 210 | Slim guides, price lists, tickets with information |
The figures above are for portrait booklets, where the page is taller than it is wide. Landscape versions simply swap the width and height.
A5: the all-rounder
A5 is the most popular booklet size in the UK. At 148 x 210mm, it is about the size of a small paperback. It is big enough to carry text, photos and tables, yet small enough to slip into a bag or a pocket.
Why people choose A5:
- It is easy to read and easy to hold
- It folds neatly from an A4 sheet
- It costs less to print and post than A4
- It works for almost any topic
Good for: menus, wedding programmes, product guides, school information, training booklets, brochures.
If you already print A5 flyers, you will know the dimensions well, because an A5 booklet page is exactly the same size.
A4: when you need space
A4 booklets are 210 x 297mm, the same as a standard sheet of office paper. They give you plenty of room for large images, tables and detailed layouts.
Why people choose A4:
- More space for photos and complex layouts
- A professional look for catalogues and reports
- Easy to file in folders
Good for: product catalogues, annual reports, magazines, portfolios, technical manuals.
Something to note: An A4 booklet is printed on A3 sheets. Home printers cannot handle that size, so A4 booklets are nearly always printed professionally.
A6: small and portable
A6 is 105 x 148mm, about the size of a postcard. It is a good choice when you want something that fits in a pocket.
Good for: pocket guides, small event programmes, instruction leaflets, loyalty booklets, guest information.
Something to note: Text must be small, so keep content short and simple. Use clear fonts and good contrast.
Square booklets
Square booklets, often 210 x 210mm, look modern and stand out from the crowd. They suit visual content such as photography, fashion and interior design.
Good for: lookbooks, portfolios, photo books, creative brochures.
Something to note: Square sizes may be more expensive, because they do not make the best use of standard paper sheets. They can also cost more to post.
DL booklets
DL (99 x 210mm) is a slim, tall size that fits neatly into a standard envelope. It works well for short guides and price lists.
Good for: price lists, short guides, mailing packs.
For DL items on a single sheet, our DL flyer printing page shows the same format in a different form.
Portrait or landscape?
Most booklets are portrait, which means the page is taller than it is wide. It is the natural shape for reading text.
Landscape booklets are wider than they are tall. They suit photography, calendars, recipe books, wall planners and anything that shows wide images or tables.
A landscape booklet can bind on the long edge or on the short edge. If it binds on the short edge, it opens like a notepad. Tell your printer which one you want, because it changes how the file is set up.
How to choose the right size
Ask yourself four questions:
- What will the booklet contain? Lots of text and images needs more room. A short list of tips does not.
- Where will it be used? On a restaurant table, A5 is perfect. In a pocket, A6 is better.
- How will it be delivered? Post, hand-out or in a pack? Smaller sizes are easier and cheaper to send.
- What is your budget? Smaller sizes use less paper and often cost less.
If you are still unsure, A5 is the safe choice.
Design tips for each size
Margins and safe zones
Keep text at least 5mm from the trimmed edge. On the spine side, leave at least 10mm, since the fold swallows a little of the page.
Bleed
Add 3mm bleed on all sides if your design has colour or images that reach the edge. So an A5 page with bleed is 154 x 216mm in your design software.
Font size
For body text, 9 to 11pt works on A5. On A4, 10 to 12pt is comfortable. On A6, try not to go below 8pt.
Image resolution
Use images at about 300 ppi at the size they will print. Small images stretched large look blurry.
Page count
Remember that your page count must divide by 4. You can read about this in how many pages a booklet can have.
Setting up your file at the right size
Once you have chosen a size, set up your file at that size from the start. Resizing later can break layouts. Use the right guide for your software:
- Booklet setup in Word
- Booklet setup from a PDF
- InDesign export for booklets
- Booklet setup in Canva
And if you are not sure how pages should be ordered, read how to arrange pages for booklet printing.
Frequently asked questions
What are the standard booklet sizes for printing?
A5 (148 x 210mm), A4 (210 x 297mm) and A6 (105 x 148mm) are the most common. Square 210 x 210mm and DL are also used.
What is the most popular booklet size?
A5. It is easy to hold, affordable and suits most projects.
What paper size do I need to print an A5 booklet?
A4. You print two A5 pages on each side of an A4 sheet, then fold it in half.
Can I print a booklet in a custom size?
Often yes, but non-standard sizes can cost more because they waste paper. Ask your printer.
Not sure which size is right?
Tell us what the booklet is for, and we will suggest a size, paper and binding. See our booklet printing page, or get a quote to compare sizes.
