ENVELOPE SIZE GUIDE
DL ENVELOPE SIZE GUIDE
A standard DL envelope measures 110mm x 220mm. This is what most
people consider a "letter envelope" and fits A4 paper folded into thirds.
Business 'With Compliments' slips are designed to fit inside a DL envelope
and usually measure 210mm x 99mm.
C3 ENVELOPE SIZE GUIDE
A standard C3 envelope measures 458mm x 324mm. This is designed to fit
unfolded A3 paper (which is double the size of A4 paper). Standard A3 paper
size is 297mm x 420mm.
C4 ENVELOPE SIZE GUIDE
A standard C4 envelope measures 324mm x 229mm. This is designed to fit
unfolded A4 paper. Standard A4 paper size is 210mm x 297mm.
C5 ENVELOPE SIZE GUIDE
A standard C5 envelope measures 162mm x 229mm. This is designed to fit
A4 paper folded in half, or A5 paper unfolded. Standard A5 paper size is
148mm x 210mm.
C6 ENVELOPE SIZE GUIDE
A standard C6 size envelope measures 114mm x 162mm. This is designed to
fit A4 paper folded into quarters, A5 paper folded in half or A6 paper unfolded
(often the size of a flyer). Standard A6 paper size is 105mm x 148mm.
C7 ENVELOPE SIZE GUIDE
A standard C7 size envelope measures 84mm x 114mm. This is designed to
fit A7 paper/cards, or A6 paper folded in half. Standard A7 paper size is 74mm
x 105mm.
ENVELOPE SIZING FAQ'S
• Is there an easy way to work out which size envelope I need?
A quick and easy way to remember which envelope size you need is to
swap the "A" letter of your paper size for the letter "C". For example, if
you want an envelope to fit an A4 sheet of paper, then you'll need a C4
envelope (and so on).
• What size envelope do I need for an A4 brochure?
An A4 paper or brochure (depending on the thickness of the brochure)
will fit into a C4 size envelope, without having to hold the paper to fit.
• What size envelope do I need for an
invitation?
While invitations can be any size you wish, a popular size for invitations
is 5" x 7" which fits into a C7 size envelope.
• What does the letter C mean in terms of envelope sizing?
Paper comes in A and B sizes. C envelope size is the geometric mean
of the A and B size of the same number. This calculation produces a
size between the A and B dimensions to make an envelope to perfectly
hold the A size paper. For example if you calculate the geometric mean
of A4 and B4 paper this will give you the dimensions of a C4 envelope
(which is the ideal size to hold an A4 sheet of paper unfolded).
• Why do the 'C' numbers increase as the envelope sizes decrease?
(e.g C4 is bigger than C5)
This is because envelope sizing is based on the ISO paper size system,
so a C5 envelope is designed to fit A5 paper and a C4 envelope is
designed to fit A4 paper. The ISO standard paper sizing system works
by using A0 size paper as the base point and largest size. The number
next to the A specifies the number of folds in half needed from an A0.
For example, A2 paper is A0 folded twice, A3 paper is A0 folded 3
times, A4 paper is A0 folded 4 times. Therefore the number increases
as it relates to the number of folds.
• What is a DL envelope? And what does DL stand for?
The DL envelope originated in Germany in the 1920's and was then
known as DIN Lang, however these days DL is known to stand
for 'Dimension Lengthwise'. A DL envelope is designed to fit an A4
piece of paper, folded into thirds. This is one of the most common
envelope sizes for business letters and you will find the majority of your
standard post arrives in a DL size envelope.
ENVELOPE SIZING CHART (dimensions mm)
Envelope Dimensions
To Fit
Size (mm)
A4 folded in thirds, DL flyers,
DL 110 x 220mm
Comp slips
DL+ 114 x 229mm Bulky A4 papers folded in thirds
C7 84 x 114mm A7 size paper, A7 greeting cards
A6 size paper, C6 greeting cards,
C6 114 x 162mm
postcards
A5 size paper, A4 paper folded in
C5 162 x 229mm
half
C4 229 x 324mm A4 size paper
C3 324 x 458mm A3 size paper