Side-by-Side Comparison
North American (ANSI & Arch)
Arch D vs. US Half Letter
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Arch D
US Half Letter
Arch D (Architectural D) is the dominant commercial architectural drawing paper format in the United States, measuring exactly 24.0 × 36.0 inches (609.6 × 914.4 mm). Operating on a clean 2:3 aspect ratio, it is the mandated standard for US building permit architectural blueprints, construction site floor plans, and residential elevations.
US Half Letter (Statement / Memo) is a North American paper format measuring 5.5 × 8.5 inches (139.7 × 215.9 mm), created by cutting a standard US Letter sheet in half across its width. It is the dominant US format for medical prescription pads, restaurant guest checks, bank statement inserts, and mini binders.
Specification Comparison Table
10 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Width × Height (Imperial)
|
24.00 × 36.00 in | 5.50 × 8.50 in |
|
Width × Height (Metric)
|
609.6 × 914.4 mm | 139.7 × 215.9 mm |
|
Aspect Ratio
|
2 : 3 (1 : 1.5000 — whole integer aspect ratio) | 1 : 1.5455 (11 : 17) |
|
Primary Applications
|
US building permit sets, architectural floor plans, structural framing blueprints, MEP schematics | Medical clinic prescription pads, restaurant receipt slips, flight pilot kneeboard checklists |
|
Arch Series Hierarchy
|
Arch D = 2 × Arch C (18×24 in) = 4 × Arch B (12×18 in) = 8 × Arch A (9×12 in) | — |
|
Comparison to Engineering ANSI D
|
Arch D (24×36 in) is 2 inches wider and 2 inches longer than ANSI D (22×34 in) | — |
|
Plotter Roll Standard
|
Standard 24-inch and 36-inch wide wide-format bond rolls | — |
|
Derivation
|
— | Exactly half of a US Letter sheet (8.5 × 11 in cut across the 11 in dimension) |
|
International ISO Equivalent
|
— | A5 (148 × 210 mm — slightly wider and shorter) |
|
Matching Binder Standard
|
— | Mini 3-ring binder (2.75 in ring spacing) |