Side-by-Side Comparison
B-Series (ISO 216)
B2 vs. B4
Comparing 2 standards across 8 specifications. 8 key differences identified.
Comparing:
B2
B4
B2 is an ISO 216 standard paper size measuring 500 × 707 mm (19.69 × 27.83 inches) with a surface area of ~0.354 square meters. Operating with an exact 500 mm (0.5 meter) short edge, it is the benchmark format for commercial half-size offset printing presses, concert tour posters, and art museum prints.
B4 is an ISO 216 standard paper size measuring 250 × 353 mm (9.84 × 13.90 inches) with a surface area of ~0.088 square meters. Sized intermediate between A3 and A4, it is the worldwide standard for printed orchestral sheet music, professional accounting ledgers, and Japanese manga manuscript paper.
Specification Comparison Table
8 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Width × Height (Metric)
|
500 × 707 mm | 250 × 353 mm |
|
Width × Height (Imperial)
|
19.69 × 27.83 in | 9.84 × 13.90 in |
|
Nominal Surface Area
|
0.354 m² (353,550 mm²) | 0.088 m² (88,250 mm²) |
|
Geometric Mean Origin
|
Geometric mean of A1 (594×841 mm) and A2 (420×594 mm) | Geometric mean of A3 (297×420 mm) and A4 (210×297 mm) |
|
Weight of 80 gsm Sheet
|
28.3 grams | 7.06 grams |
|
Primary Applications
|
Concert posters, retail promotional signs, commercial packaging mockups | Classical sheet music scores, accounting ledgers, Japanese manga manuscripts |
|
Defining Dimension
|
Short edge is exactly 500 mm (0.5 meter) | — |
|
Japanese JIS B4 Distinction
|
— | JIS B4 is slightly larger (257 × 364 mm) due to historical Mino paper origins |