What is The Correct Legal Paper Size?

Legal paper is a standard size used mostly for professional and official documents. It measures 8.5 by 14 inches (215.9 × 355.6 mm), making it slightly longer than regular letter paper.

This extra length allows more room for text, clauses, and signatures, keeping documents neat and readable.

Used across law firms, offices, and government institutions, legal paper provides a clean, organized format for contracts and formal paperwork.

Key Takeaways

• Legal paper size: 8.5 × 14 inches (215.9 × 355.6 mm)

• Used for: Contracts, legal forms, accounting documents

• Part of: North American paper size series, not ISO 216

• Main advantage: Extra space for detailed content and signatures

A Brief Origin of Legal Paper

Legal paper evolved as part of the North American “loose paper size series.” Its name likely came from the legal profession’s early preference for longer sheets when drafting documents by hand or typewriter.

The tradition stuck even as offices moved into the digital age. Today, while many forms are filled out electronically, legal-size paper still remains a symbol of professionalism and formality.

The Exact Dimensions of Legal Paper

Exact Dimensions of Legal Paper

Legal paper measures 8.5 inches by 14 inches - that’s 215.9 mm by 355.6 mm in the metric system.

This makes it 3 inches longer than the standard US Letter size, which is 8.5 × 11 inches. That extra length may seem minor, but it makes a big difference when working with contracts, forms, or detailed reports that need extra writing space.

Paper Type	Dimensions (inches)	Dimensions (millimeters)	Common Use
Letter	8.5 × 11	215.9 × 279.4	Everyday printing, schoolwork
Legal	8.5 × 14	215.9 × 355.6	Contracts, legal documents
A4	8.27 × 11.69	210 × 297	International documents

Why Legal Paper Exists

Legal paper has been around since the early days of record-keeping in law offices. Its extra length offered a practical way to fit long paragraphs, signatures, and additional clauses without needing extra pages. Over time, it became the go-to size for contracts, court documents, and official agreements across the United States and Canada.

In other parts of the world, like Europe and Asia, paper standards follow the ISO 216 system, where A4 is the standard size. That’s why legal paper is considered part of the North American paper size series, not the ISO system.

Also read: What is The Size of A5 Paper

Where Legal Paper Is Commonly Used

Legal paper is most often used in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. It’s the go-to format for:

• Contracts and agreements

• Court filings

• Official government documents

• Financial records

• Legal pads for note-taking

You’ll also see it in law offices, real estate agencies, and accounting firms, where professionals rely on the extra length to maintain clarity and compliance.

Legal Paper vs. Letter Paper

Though both have the same width (8.5 inches), the difference in length changes how each is used.

• Letter paper (8.5 × 11 inches) is best for everyday office printing, emails, and school reports.

• Legal paper (8.5 × 14 inches) fits better for lengthy documents, forms, and contracts that need room for text and signatures.

When printing, it’s important to select “Legal” size in your printer settings; otherwise, the text might get cut off or shrink automatically.

How Legal Paper Differs from A4 Paper

Outside North America, the rest of the world uses ISO standard paper sizes, such as A4.

A4 paper measures 210 × 297 mm (8.3 × 11.7 in) - slightly narrower and shorter than Letter paper. That means Legal paper is not part of the ISO standard, making it somewhat unique to North America.

If someone in Europe receives a US legal-size document, it might not fit perfectly in their standard folders, envelopes, or printers.

How to Print on Legal-Size Paper

Printing on legal paper is easy once you adjust your printer settings. Most modern printers support this size automatically.

To print correctly:

1. Open your document and select File > Print.

2. Choose Paper Size: Legal (8.5 × 14 inches).

3. Ensure the paper tray has the right size loaded.

4. Check the orientation (portrait or landscape) before printing.

This ensures your entire document fits on the page without cropping or scaling errors.

When Should You Use Legal Paper?

If your document includes signatures, detailed clauses, or financial data, legal paper is often the better choice. It looks professional, provides clarity, and avoids the need for additional pages.

On the other hand, if you’re printing casual materials like resumes, letters, or reports, letter size is usually enough. Choosing the right paper size can make your documents easier to read and file.

Is Legal Paper Still Relevant Today?

Absolutely. While digital forms are more common, physical legal documents still play a vital role in contracts, court submissions, and notarized agreements. Many legal and business professionals prefer printed copies for official signatures and secure storage.

Legal paper continues to be the industry standard for authenticity, clarity, and compliance, ensuring every detail has its proper space.

Conclusion

In the end, Legal paper measures 8.5 × 14 inches (215.9 × 355.6 mm) - slightly longer than Letter size but perfectly suited for contracts, agreements, and formal documents.

Its extra length provides more writing space, better organization, and a professional look that helps maintain accuracy and trust in legal settings.

Whether used for law, business, or finance, understanding what size is legal paper ensures every document looks clean, complete, and ready for signature.