Filofax 6-Hole vs. US 3-Hole
Comparing 2 standards across 11 specifications. 11 key differences identified.
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 North American 3-Hole Standard is the ubiquitous paper punching system in the United States, Canada, and Mexico for 8.5 × 11-inch US Letter paper. Specifying three circular holes spaced exactly 4.25 inches (107.95 mm) apart (an 8.5-inch total span) with 5/16-inch (7.94 mm) hole diameters, it is the standard for 3-ring school and business binders.
Specification Comparison Table
11 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Primary Applications
|
Filofax, FranklinCovey, Gillio, Moterm, Kikki.K ring planners | School 3-ring binders (Avery, Wilson Jones), corporate training manuals, loose-leaf filler paper |
|
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 | — |
|
Center-to-Center Hole Spacing
|
— | 4.25 in (107.95 mm) |
|
Total Outer Hole Span
|
— | 8.50 in (215.90 mm — from top hole center to bottom hole center) |
|
Hole Diameter
|
— | 5/16 in (7.94 mm) standard or 9/32 in (7.14 mm) |
|
Edge Distance to Hole Center
|
— | 0.375 to 0.50 in (9.5 to 12.7 mm) |
|
Top & Bottom Margins on US Letter
|
— | Exactly 1.25 in (31.75 mm) from sheet edge to outer hole centers |