Card Sizes, Envelope Sizes & Grammage Explained

Card & Paper Sizes Explained

Are you often looking for an envelope but have no idea what size will fit your greetings cards? We have a complete guide to card, paper and envelope sizes as well as grammage (gsm)

Standard Paper and Card Sizes

Paper and card are organised by an 'A' system and are in order of the largest size first. (A0 = largest - A10 = smallest)

Envelopes are organised by a "C" system - for example:

• An A4 card will fit into a C4 envelope
• An A5 card will fit into a C5 envelope
• An A6 card will fit into a C6 envelope
• An A7 card will fit into a C7 envelope

 Card & Paper Sizes

• A0   841mm x 1189mm
• A1   594mm x 841mm
• A2   420mm x 594mm
• A3   297mm x 420mm
• A4   210mm x 297mm
• A5   148mm x 210mm
• A6   105mm x 148mm
• A7     74mm x 105mm
• A8     52mm x 74mm

 

Card & Paper Sizes Explained

What size is a C4 envelope? C4 envelopes are 229mm x 324mm

 What size is an A4 Card? A4 Card is 210mm x 297mm

• C4 envelopes fit an A4 unfolded card or paper sheet (210mm x 297mm)
• C4 envelopes will also fit an A3 card or paper sheet folded in half.
• C4 envelopes are mainly for commercial use for sending documents and paperwork. They are also used for certificates.

 

What size is a C5 envelope? C5 envelopes are 162mm x 229mm

 What size is an A5 Card? A5 card is 162mm x 229mm

• C5 envelopes fit an A5 unfolded card or paper sheet (148mm x 210mm)
• C5 envelopes will also fit an A4 card or paper sheet folded in half.
• C5 envelopes are used for larger greetings cards, weddings, awards, etc

 

What size is a C6 envelope? C6 envelopes are 114mm x 162mm

What size is an A6 Card? A6 card is 105mm x 148mm

• C6 envelopes fit an A6 unfolded card or paper sheet (105mm x 148mm)
• C6 envelopes will also fit an A5 card or paper sheet folded in half.
• C6 envelopes are mainly used for greetings cards, postcards, invites etc.

 

What size is a C7 envelope? C7 envelopes are 83mm x 112mm

What size is an A7 Card? A7 card is 74mm x 105mm

• C7 envelopes fit an A7 unfolded card or paper sheet (74mm x 105mm)
• C7 envelopes will also fit an A6 card or paper sheet folded in half.
• C7 envelopes are mainly used for RSVP, thank you notes, Floristry cards, seeds etc. They are small mini envelopes so not ideally for posting as they can easily get lost!

 

What size is a DL envelope? DL envelopes are 110mm x 220mm

What size is an DL Card? DL card is 99mm x 210mm

• DL envelopes fit an DL unfolded card or paper sheet (105mm x 210mm)
• DL envelopes fit an A4 card or sheet of paper folded in thirds, or an A5 sheet folded in half
• DL envelopes are used for commercial letters, greetings cards, tickets, vouchers, etc

 

What size is a 5x7 envelope? 5x7 envelopes are 133mm x 184mm

What size is an 5x7 Card? 5x7 card is 128mm x 178mm or 125mm x 175mm

• 5x7 envelopes fit an 128mm x 178mm unfolded card or paper sheet
• 5x7 cards and envelopes have become increasingly popular for greetings cards. Larger than a C6 but smaller than a C5.

 

What size is a 6x6 envelope? 6x6 envelopes are 155mm x 155mm

What size is an 6x6 Card? 6x6 card is 145mm x 145mm

• 6x6 envelopes fit a square unfolded card or paper sheet 145mm x 145mm
• Square cards and envelopes have become increasingly popular for greetings cards and wedding invitations.

 

What size is a 5x5 envelope? 5x5 envelopes are 130mm x 130mm

What size is an 5x5 Card? 5x5 card is 125mm x 125mm

• 5x5 envelopes fit a square unfolded card or paper sheet 125mm x 125mm
• Square cards and envelopes have become increasingly popular for greetings cards and wedding invitations. These envelopes are often used as an RSVP with the 6x6.

 

Standard Card Sizes

Size	Size in mm	Size in cm	Size in inches
A0	841 mm x 1189 mm	84.1 cm x 118.9 cm	33.1" x 46.8"
A1	594 mm x 841 mm	59.4 cm x 84.1 cm	23.4" x 33.1"
A2	420 mm x 594 mm	42 cm x 59.4 cm	16.5" x 23.4"
A3	297 mm x 420 mm	29.7 cm x 42 cm	11.7" x 16.5"
A4	210 mm x 297 mm	21 cm x 29.7 cm	8.3" x 11.7"
A5	148 mm x 210 mm	14.8 cm x 21.0 cm	5.8" x 8.3"
A6	105 mm x 148 mm	10.5 cm x 14.8 cm	4.1" x 5.8"
A7	74 mm x 105 mm	7.4 cm x 10.5 cm	2.91" x 4.13"
A8	52 mm x 74 mm	5.2 cm x 7.4 cm	2.0" x 2.9"
A9	37 mm x 52 mm	3.7 cm x 5.2 cm	1.5" x 2.0"
A10	26 mm x 37 mm	2.6 cm x 3.7 cm	1.0" x 1.5"
SRA3	450 mm x 320 mm	45 cm x 32 cm	17.71" x 12.59"
SRA4	225 mm x 320 mm	22.5 cm x 32 cm	8.85" x 12.59"

 

Paper, Card and Envelope Weights / Grammage Explained (GSM)

Most nations describe paper in terms of grammage - the weight in grams of one sheet of the paper measuring one square meter.

Other nations - especially in the United States, describe paper in terms of pound weight - the weight in pounds per ream (500 sheets) of the paper with a given. In describing paper, the pound is often symbolized by the pound symbol.

Below explains the range of paper and card grammages available and their common uses.

Envelopes  80gsm - 100gsm	Standard commercial and greetings card envelopes. Greetings card envelope being 100gsm primarily.
Envelopes 110gsm - 140gsm	Premium quality and better gsm (grammage) mean more of a luxury feel to the envelopes. Used for greetings card, invitations, tickets, awards, weddings

 

Paper 80gsm	A general and common paper weight, this paper is used in offices and is the main weight of copy and printer paper and general printing.
Paper 100gsm-140gsm	The higher the gsm, the better the quality and the heavier they feel to the touch. The heavier weight paper ranging from 120gsm to 140gsm is often used for formal correspondence and letterheads.
Card 150gsm-220gsm	A low weight card suitable for everyday use but not suitable for greetings cards as you will find it a little too thin especially if layering. Suitable for use in most printers (always check your printer settings) suitable for flyers, leaflets, layering etc. Also used as file dividers.
Card 220gsm-300gsm	A good weight of card and the best weight for greetings cards, invitations etc, ranges from 250gsm - 300gsm and again available in many finishes. Perfect for card blanks, menus, business cards, wedding stationery.
Card 300gsm upwards	This weight of card is normally used for box and packaging applications and has a limitless range of uses.