Letter vs A4 Staff Paper

If you are in North America, your printer uses US Letter (8.5 x 11 inches). If you are almost anywhere else, your printer uses A4 (210 x 297 mm). Using the wrong paper size causes margins to be cut off or text to be awkwardly scaled. This guide ensures you print the right size every time.

US Letter (8.5" x 11")

Standard in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Philippines. Slightly wider and shorter than A4. Our Letter templates are optimized for this exact aspect ratio — staves fill the page edge-to-edge with proper margins.

A4 (210mm x 297mm)

Standard in Europe, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa, and South America. Slightly narrower and taller than Letter. Our A4 templates are independently designed for this aspect ratio — not simply scaled from Letter templates.

How to Know Which Size Your Printer Uses

Check your printer settings or look at the paper tray. In North America, the default is Letter. Everywhere else, the default is A4. Most modern printers handle both — just load the correct paper and select the matching template.

Frequently Asked Questions