Understanding PDF Page Sizes
PDF documents can have different page sizes, which affects printing and display. Understanding common sizes helps you choose the right dimensions for your needs.
Common Page Sizes
Standard Paper Sizes
| Size | Dimensions (inches) | Points | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 8.27 x 11.69 | 595 x 842 | International standard |
| Letter | 8.5 x 11 | 612 x 792 | US standard |
| Legal | 8.5 x 14 | 612 x 1008 | Legal documents |
| A3 | 11.69 x 16.54 | 842 x 1191 | Posters, technical |
| A5 | 5.83 x 8.27 | 420 x 595 | Booklets, flyers |
Why Size Matters
- Printing - Wrong size causes cropping or scaling
- Compatibility - US vs international standards differ
- Display - Affects readability on screen
- File size - Larger pages = larger files
How to Resize PDF Pages
Use our Resize PDF tool to change page dimensions:
- Upload your PDF document
- Select a preset size (A4, Letter, etc.) or Custom
- Choose orientation (Portrait, Landscape, or Keep)
- Select scaling mode (Fit, Fill, or Stretch)
- Click Resize PDF
- Download your resized document
Understanding Scaling Modes
Fit Mode (Recommended)
Scales content to fit entirely within new dimensions:
- Maintains aspect ratio
- No content is cropped
- May have white margins
- Best for preserving all content
Fill Mode
Scales to cover the entire page:
- Maintains aspect ratio
- Some content may be cropped
- No white margins
- Best for visual impact
Stretch Mode
Stretches to exactly fill new dimensions:
- Does NOT maintain aspect ratio
- Content may appear distorted
- Fills page completely
- Use sparingly
Common Scenarios
A4 to Letter Conversion
Converting between international (A4) and US (Letter) sizes:
- A4 is slightly narrower and taller than Letter
- Use Fit mode to avoid cropping
- Minor margins may appear
Preparing for Print
Ensure your PDF matches printer settings:
- Check your printer's default paper size
- Resize PDF to match exactly
- Use "Actual Size" when printing
Creating Booklets
Resize to A5 for booklet printing:
- Start with A4 content
- Resize to A5
- Print multiple pages per sheet
Custom Dimensions
For non-standard sizes, enter dimensions in points:
- 72 points = 1 inch
- 28.35 points = 1 cm
- Calculate: inches x 72 = points
Examples
- 5x7 inches = 360 x 504 points
- 6x9 inches = 432 x 648 points
- Square 8x8 = 576 x 576 points
Orientation Options
Portrait
Taller than wide - standard for documents:
- Letters and reports
- Books and articles
- Most printed materials
Landscape
Wider than tall - good for:
- Presentations
- Certificates
- Wide tables and charts
- Photos
Keep Original
Maintains each page's original orientation:
- Mixed orientation documents
- Scanned materials
- Varied content types
Best Practices
Before Resizing
- Know your target size requirements
- Check current page dimensions
- Consider content layout
- Keep original as backup
Quality Considerations
- Vector content (text, shapes) scales perfectly
- Images may lose quality if enlarged
- Significant size increases can affect clarity
- Test with a single page first
Related Tools
Combine resizing with other PDF adjustments:
- Crop PDF - Remove margins or trim content
- Rotate PDF - Change page orientation
- Compress PDF - Reduce file size after resizing
Conclusion
Resizing PDF pages ensures your documents print correctly and display well across different devices. Use our Resize PDF tool to quickly convert between A4, Letter, and other standard sizes while preserving your content quality.