If you’ve ever printed a document from your phone or computer, you’ve probably seen a paper option that says “ISO A4s.” At first glance, it looks like the A4 we’re used to every day. But is ISO A4s actually the same as A4 ? Or are there hidden differences that not many people know about?
This article will reveal the real facts about A4 and ISO A4s, as well as explain the various other paper sizes such as Letter , Legal , Hagaki , and others that often appear in printer menus. Read until the end to find out which one is right for your printing needs.
What is A4 and ISO A4s?
A4: Global Standard Size
A4 size has become an international standard in document and correspondence matters. A4 size is set by ISO (International Organization for Standardization) in the ISO 216 system.
A4 Dimensions:
- 210 mm x 297 mm
- 8.27 x 11.69 inches
A4 is widely used in almost the entire world, except in the United States, Canada, and several other countries that use different size systems such as Letter and Legal .
ISO A4s: Mysterious Symbols on Printer
When you print from your phone or tablet, you may sometimes come across paper size options like:
- A4
- ISO A4
- ISO A4s
Many users wonder, what exactly is ISO A4s ?
The answer: ISO A4s actually refers to the ISO standard A4. The "s" here is often interpreted as "standard", although not officially explained by all printer manufacturers. In practice, ISO A4s and A4 are the same size.
However, depending on the device and printer driver you are using, this option may affect margin settings, automatic size recognition, or print placement.
Paper Sizes That Often Appear in the Printer Menu
In addition to A4 and ISO A4s, there are several other size options that often appear when printing from a smartphone. Knowing what each means and the differences between them can prevent misprints or unwanted cropping.
Common Paper Sizes:
1. Letter
- 8.5 x 11 inci (216 x 279 mm)
- Used in the United States and Canada
- Slightly shorter and wider than A4
- Often the default on US-made printers
2. Legal
- 8.5 x 14 inci (216 x 356 mm)
- Additional length for legal documents
- Suitable for long reports, contracts, or other legal documents.
3. Hagaki
- 100 x 148 mm (3.94 x 5.83 inci)
- Standard Japanese postcard size
- Used for printing greeting cards, invitations, or small photos.
4. JIS B5
- 182 x 257 mm (7.17 x 10.12 inci)
- JIS = Japanese Industrial Standard
- Common size in Japan for notebooks or magazines
5. L (Photo L)
- 89 x 127 mm (3.5 x 5 inci)
- Standard photo sizes in Japan
- Commonly used for printing photos from mobile phones
6. ISO A5
- 148 x 210 mm (5.83 x 8.27 inci)
- Half of A4
- Ideal for flyers, small notebooks, or journals
7. 5x7 th
- 127 x 178 mm
- Popular sizes for portrait photos
- Not included in the ISO system, but often appears in inkjet printers and photo printing applications.
Which Size is Closest to A4?
If you can't find A4, here are the closest alternatives in terms of size:
- Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) → only about 0.7 inches shorter
- JIS B5 → slightly smaller but similar proportions
- ISO A5 → half of A4, suitable if you want to print two pages on one A4 sheet
However, if accuracy and scale are important (for example in legal or academic documents), use A4 or ISO A4s only to avoid cropped content or problematic margins.
Tips for Choosing Paper Size When Printing from a Mobile Phone
So that the print results are not disappointing, here are some tips you can follow:
- Always check the preview before printing
- Select the paper size that matches the physical paper in the printer.
- Use A4/ISO A4s when printing documents such as letters, theses, or reports.
- Select Photo L , 5x7 inches , or Hagaki for photo printing.
- If you are unsure, try printing one sheet as a test.
So in conclusion, is ISO A4s the same as A4?
Yes, in terms of size and standard, ISO A4s is the same as A4 . The naming difference usually comes only from the printer software system or operating system. For practical use, you don't need to worry about choosing one or the other—the results will be identical.
However, it is important to know the differences between the various paper sizes, especially when printing from a mobile device. This will help you avoid misprints, save paper, and keep your document layout neat.
If you often print from your mobile phone and want to know other printing tips, you can read articles about technology and other practical things at ajakteman.com .
Remember: Paper size choices aren't just numbers—they affect how your document looks and is received. So make sure you choose wisely.