ISO 838 (2-Hole) vs. Japanese Multi-Hole (JIS)
Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 12 key differences identified.
ISO 838 (DIN 821) is the international standard for 2-hole paper punching, specifying two circular holes spaced exactly 80.0 mm ± 0.5 mm apart with a diameter of 6.0 mm ± 0.5 mm, positioned 12.0 mm ± 1.0 mm from the binding edge of the sheet. It is the universal standard for ring binders and lever arch files across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
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 | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Hole Diameter
|
6.0 ± 0.5 mm (0.24 in) | 5.5 ± 0.5 mm |
|
Center-to-Center Hole Spacing
|
80.0 ± 0.5 mm (3.15 in) | — |
|
Edge Distance to Hole Center
|
12.0 ± 1.0 mm (0.47 in) | — |
|
Centering Standard
|
Holes are centered symmetrically along the paper's long edge (A4) or short edge (A5) | — |
|
Target Paper Pairing
|
ISO 216 A4 (210 × 297 mm) and A5 (148 × 210 mm) | — |
|
Binder Compatibility
|
2-ring binders, European lever arch files (Leitz Ordner, Esselte, Rexel) | — |
|
Hole Pitch (Center-to-Center)
|
— | 9.5 mm (0.374 in / approx. 3/8 in) |
|
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) |
|
Primary Applications
|
— | Kokuyo Campus Smart Ring binders, Maruman Giuris, King Jim multi-ring loose-leaf notebooks |