What is A0 Paper Size?
Definition
A0 size is within the range of A series paper sizes of ISO 216 standard, and as the original and the largest size of the series. That means, all sizes of A series come from this size. If you are from American countries, it is common that you might now be familiar with it.
Dimensions
A0 measures 33.11 x 46.81 in inches, 841 x 1189 in mm, and 84.1 x 118.9 in cm.
And a piece of A0 paper has an area of exactly 1 square meter.
Layout
Below is the drawing of A0 paper size in inches and mm. It is 84.1 x 11.89 in cm.
Uses
The A0 paper size is not typically used in regular office or personal printing, given its large dimensions. However, its primary applications include:
- Architectural blueprints: Detailed floor plans and building designs require A0 for their large-scale accuracy.
- Posters and signage: A0 is commonly used for high-visibility posters, event advertisements, and public notices that need to grab attention.
- Art and design: A0 is an ideal format for artists creating large-scale works or design teams working on expansive visual layouts.
- Engineering diagrams and technical drawings: Engineers often rely on A0 for schematics that include intricate details and measurements.
- Maps: Large maps or survey layouts are also printed on A0 paper to maintain a high level of detail.
Despite its specific uses, the size is often converted to smaller formats for easier handling, especially for the mass distribution of documents or publications.
Regions of Use
In case you’re new to this- there are two most common paper size standards in the world, one is ISO standard paper size and the other is American paper size standard. The former is used in most countries except some North American countries and the Philippines.
A0 Size in inches
33.11″ x 46.81″
A0 Size in cm
84.1cm x 118.9 cm
A0 Size in mm
841mm x 1189mm
A0 Dimensions Table
| Size # | in inches | in mm | in cm |
| A0 | 33.11 x 46.81 | 841 x 1189 | 84.1 x 118.9 |
A0 Dimensions in pixels
A0 dimensions vary in pixels, depending on the PPI/DPI applied.
| Size # |
72 dpi/ppi (screen resolution) |
96 dpi/ppi (screen resolution) |
300 dpi/ppi (print resolution) |
| A0 | 2384 x 3370 | 3179 x 4494 | 9933 x 14043 |
* PPI (pixels per inch) = DPI (dots per inch) = Resolution
A Series Paper Size
As the largest size in the ISO standard A size series, A0 is the initial commercial size of the ISO A series, which means that all sizes in the series are developed from it.
Specifically, all paper sizes in the ISO A series are generated by their constant average division. It works like this: Start with A0 and cut the long mid-line, or fold it in half to get two pieces of the same A1 size. And then A1 can get two sheets of the same A2 size. And so on, the order from largest to smallest is A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, etc., Moreover, the length ratio is the same for each size, following the basic rule of ISO216, that is, the ratio of the long side to the short side is √2:1.
The following drawing shows the relationship between the sizes of the ISO A paper size.
A0 Size Equivalence in US
In the U.S., A0 size does not have an equivalent in the traditional ANSI or letter paper system. The closest equivalents are large-format archival or engineering papers used in technical applications. U.S. paper sizes like Arch E (36 x 48 inches) are often used for very large documents and may serve a similar function.
Another A0 equivalence in US is the ANSI E size paper, which is part of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) paper sizes, and are used primarily in the United States. The dimensions of ANSI E size are: 34 x 44 inches. This is commonly used for large-format printing, such as engineering and architectural drawings.
But A0’s precise dimensions of 841 x 1189 mm do not align directly with any U.S. size.
An important distinction is that A0’s dimensions are part of the ISO standard system, whereas U.S. paper sizes follow a different convention. This difference in paper standards can sometimes lead to confusion or challenges when working internationally or shipping large-format documents across borders.
Main Facts
-
A0 Dimensions:
in inches: 33.11 x 46.81″
in mm: 841 x 1189 mm
in cm: 84.1 x 118.9 cm
- In pixels:
in 72 ppi/dpi: 2384 x 3370 px
in 96 ppi/dpi: 3179 x 4494 px
in 300 dpi/ppi: 9933 x 14043 px
- Area: One square meter.
- Country of use: Most countries except North America
- Other name: DIN A0 Size
- Usage: Used to make posters and technical drawings
- Advantages: The area is larger, so can be used to make complex drawings, and more information can be printed.
- Disadvantages: Portability is inconvenient and limited by common printing equipments.
- Ratio: It follows the ratio of ISO216 size standard, length to width: 1.414:1, or √2:1.
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Approximate American size:
ANSI E-size, measures 864 x 1118 in mm or 34 x 44″ in inches.
ARCH E, measures 914 x 1219 in mm, or 36 x 48 in inches.