What is A2 Paper Size?
Definition
A2 size is the third-largest size in the A-series paper format, offering a balance between size and manageability. It’s often used in professional settings, such as graphic design, marketing, and fine art, where larger-than-standard formats are required but not as much space as A1 or A0. It is particularly popular for posters, presentations, and some architectural designs. The dimensions and rules of A2 are specified by ISO216 (based on DIN476 standard of Germany), which is a standard specialized for paper sizes.
Dimensions
A2 size measures 420 x 594 in mm, 42.0 x 59.4 in cm, and 16.54 x 23.39 in inches. This is precisely half the size of A1 when folded or cut, following the principle of halving each paper size in the A-series. A2 paper offers a sizable area for printing while still being relatively easy to handle compared to larger formats like A1 or A0.
Layout
The following is the layout presents A2 in inches and mm. It is 42 x 59.4 in cm.
Origins
Like other sizes in the A-series, it originates from the DIN 476 standard established in 1922 in Germany. This standard was developed to create a system of paper sizes based on a simple ratio, making it easier to scale or reduce documents without distorting their proportions. The A-series, which includes sizes from A0 to A10, was later adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which further standardized these dimensions globally.
Regions
A2 paper is widely used in countries that follow the ISO paper size standard, which includes A paper series, B paper series and C envelope series, and are mostly used in European, Asian, and African countries. It is especially common in industries like graphic design, art, and architecture. In Germany, France, and the UK, A2 paper is often used for high-impact posters, art prints, and technical drawings.
Though less common in the United States, where the Letter size and ANSI sizes dominate, A2 is occasionally found in specialized applications, such as large-format prints or presentations. All the ISO series are widely used in most countries in the world except North American countries and Philippines, where US paper sizes are generally used.
Uses
A2 paper size is versatile and used for a wide range of applications:
- Posters: A2 is one of the most popular sizes for creating posters, both for advertising and artistic purposes. Its dimensions provide ample space for large images and text while remaining easy to display and distribute.
- Marketing and Advertising: Businesses often use A2 paper for creating promotional materials that need to stand out without overwhelming the viewer. It’s perfect for display advertisements or event promotions.
- Blueprints and Schematics: Architects and engineers sometimes use A2 for moderately detailed plans that require some space but do not need the larger A1 or A0 formats. This size is often used for smaller buildings or simple projects.
- Art Prints and Photography: A2 is commonly used for reproducing artwork, especially in fine art and photography. Its large surface area allows details in the artwork to be clearly visible while being manageable for printing and framing.
- Calendars: A2 is a popular choice for wall calendars, where the calendar’s monthly grid and images need to be easily readable from a distance.
Given its balance of size and practicality, A2 serves as a middle ground for those who need more space than A3 but do not require the size of A1 or A0.
A2 Size in inches
16.54 x 23.39 in
A2 Size in cm
42.0 x 59.4 cm
A2 Size in mm
420 x 594 mm
A2 Dimensions Table
| Size # | in inches | in mm | in cm |
| A2 | 16.54″ x 23.39″ | 420 x 594 mm | 42.0 x 59.4 cm |
A2 dimensions in pixels
The 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) |
| A2 | 1191 x 1648 px | 1587 x 2245 px | 4961 x 7016 px |
* PPI (pixels per inch) = DPI (dots per inch) = Resolution
A Series Paper Size
A2 paper size is obtained by evenly dividing A0 size into 4 parts in the same proportion, so its area is also 1/4 of 1 square meter (the area of A0 size); and it is four times the size of the most common used A4 size. The entire ISO216 paper size series includes A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, etc, size in order from big to small. The size of each number is twice that of the next one, and with actual the same length-width ratio: √2:1.
The following drawing shows the relationship between the sizes of the ISO A size.
A2 Size Alternatives in US
In the U.S., there is no direct equivalent to the A2 paper size in the standard ANSI or Letter systems. However, below two sizes can be alternatives to it.
- ANSI C, which measures 17 x 22 in inches, which is close to A2 but with different ratio, has a very close area.
- Arch C, has dimensions of 18 x 24 inches, is also a common substitute in technical fields like architecture, engineering, and design, though it is slightly larger than A2.
Main Facts
-
A2 Dimensions:
in inches: 16.54 x 23.39″
in mm: 420 x 594 mm
in cm: 42.0 x 59.4 cm -
A2 size in pixels:
in 72 ppi/dpi: 1191 x 1648 px
in 96 ppi/dpi: 1587 x 2245 px
in 300 dpi/ppi: 4961 x 7016 px - Area: 1/4 square meter.
- Country of use: Most countries except North American countries, Mexico, and the Philippines
- Other name: DIN A2 Size
- Usage: Mostly used to make data charts, architectural drawings and medium-sized posters, etc.
- Advantages: Can be used to make complex drawings, and more information can be printed; Commonly used internationally and can be bought from most raw paper mills.
- Disadvantages: Portability is inconvenient and limited by common printing equipment for office use.
- Ratio: It follows the ratio of ISO216 size standard, length to width: 1.414:1, or √2:1.
-
Approximate American size:
ANSI C, which measures 17 x 22 in inches, 432 x 559 in mm, or 43.2 x 55.9 in cm.
Arch C, measures 18 x 24 inches, 457 x 610 in mm, or 45.7 x 61 in cm.