8.5x11 Aspect Ratio Calculator

Calculate dimensions for 8.5x11 Letter format, the standard paper size for documents and printing.

What is 8.5x11 (Letter) Size?

The 8.5x11 inch format, known as "US Letter" or simply "Letter," is the standard paper size in the United States, Canada, and parts of Mexico. It's used for nearly all business documents, resumes, flyers, and everyday printing. The aspect ratio is approximately 1:1.294, slightly different from the international A4 standard.

8.5x11
8.5"
11"

Quick DPI Reference for 8.5x11

72 DPI (Web)

612 x 792

150 DPI (Standard)

1275 x 1650

300 DPI (Print)

2550 x 3300

Letter (8.5x11) vs A4 Comparison

US Letter

8.5 x 11 inches

215.9 x 279.4 mm

2550 x 3300 px (300 DPI)

ISO A4

8.27 x 11.69 inches

210 x 297 mm

2480 x 3508 px (300 DPI)

Letter is wider and shorter than A4. Content designed for one may need adjustment for the other.

8.5x11 Pixel Dimensions by DPI

Resolution DPI Category Megapixels
612x792 72 DPI (Web) Screen 0.5 MP
850x1100 100 DPI (Draft) Print 0.9 MP
1275x1650 150 DPI (Standard) Print 2.1 MP
1700x2200 200 DPI (Good) Print 3.7 MP
2550x3300 300 DPI (Print Quality) Print 8.4 MP
3400x4400 400 DPI (High Quality) Print 15.0 MP
5100x6600 600 DPI (Professional) Print 33.7 MP
1224x1584 144 DPI (Retina) Screen 1.9 MP

Who Uses 8.5x11?

Business Documents

Standard format for letters, reports, and professional correspondence

Resumes & CVs

The expected format for job applications in North America

Flyers & Handouts

Marketing materials, church bulletins, and event information

Forms & Contracts

Legal documents, applications, and official paperwork

8.5x11 vs Other Sizes

Related Calculators & Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 8.5x11 the same as A4?

No, they're different. Letter (8.5x11") is 215.9 x 279.4mm, while A4 is 210 x 297mm. A4 is narrower but taller. Letter is used in North America; A4 is the international standard used elsewhere.

What are the pixel dimensions for 8.5x11 at 300 DPI?

8.5 x 300 = 2550 pixels wide, 11 x 300 = 3300 pixels tall. So 8.5x11 at 300 DPI is 2550x3300 pixels—the standard for print-ready documents.

What bleed should I add to 8.5x11?

Standard bleed is 0.125 inches (1/8") on each side. With bleed, your document should be 8.75x11.25 inches (2625x3375 pixels at 300 DPI).

Why did the US choose 8.5x11?

The origins are debated, but it likely evolved from the hand papermaking process where standard molds produced sheets close to this size. It became standardized through usage before any official standards existed.

What is the aspect ratio of 8.5x11?

The exact ratio is 17:22 (when simplified from 8.5:11). As a decimal, it's approximately 1:1.294. This is notably different from A4's ratio of approximately 1:1.414 (√2).