Side-by-Side Comparison
Binders & Hole Punching
Filofax 6-Hole vs. Japanese Multi-Hole (JIS)
Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 12 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Filofax 6-Hole
Japanese Multi-Hole (JIS)
The Filofax 6-Hole Standard (invented by Norman & Hill in London in 1921) is the global benchmark for personal ring planners, organizing 6 holes into two distinct 3-hole groups spaced 19.05 mm (0.75 in) apart. Available in standardized Personal (51 mm gap), A5 (70 mm gap), and Pocket (19 mm continuous) formats.
The Japanese Loose-Leaf standard (governed by JIS P 0138) specifies a fine multi-hole grid with an exact 9.5 mm (3/8 inch) pitch and 5.5 mm hole diameter, featuring 26 holes for B5 paper and 30 holes for A4 paper. Engineered by stationery manufacturers such as Kokuyo and Maruman, it eliminates paper tear-out entirely.
Specification Comparison Table
12 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Primary Applications
|
Filofax, FranklinCovey, Gillio, Moterm, Kikki.K ring planners | Kokuyo Campus Smart Ring binders, Maruman Giuris, King Jim multi-ring loose-leaf notebooks |
|
Hole Grouping Structure
|
Two groups of 3 holes (19.05 mm / 3/4 in spacing within each 3-hole cluster) | — |
|
Personal Size Center Gap
|
51 mm (2.0 in) gap between clusters — 19-19-51-19-19 mm (95 × 171 mm paper) | — |
|
A5 Size Center Gap
|
70 mm (2.75 in) gap between clusters — 19-19-70-19-19 mm (148 × 210 mm paper) | — |
|
Pocket Size Spacing
|
Uniform 19.05 mm continuous spacing — 19-19-19-19-19 mm (81 × 120 mm paper) | — |
|
A5 Interchangeability
|
The middle holes of the two clusters (at 70+19+19 = 108 mm) align with US 3-hole spacing on some desk punches | — |
|
Hole Pitch (Center-to-Center)
|
— | 9.5 mm (0.374 in / approx. 3/8 in) |
|
Hole Diameter
|
— | 5.5 ± 0.5 mm |
|
Edge Margin to Hole Center
|
— | 6.5 ± 0.5 mm |
|
B5 Paper Hole Count
|
— | 26 holes (for 257 mm JIS B5 paper) |
|
A4 Paper Hole Count
|
— | 30 holes (for 297 mm ISO A4 paper) |
|
A5 Paper Hole Count
|
— | 20 holes (for 210 mm ISO A5 paper) |