US Half Letter vs. US Tabloid / Ledger
Comparing 2 standards across 9 specifications. 8 key differences identified.
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.
US Tabloid / Ledger (ANSI B) is an ANSI/ASME Y14.1 standard paper size measuring 11.0 × 17.0 inches (279.4 × 431.8 mm). Formed by placing two US Letter sheets side-by-side, it is referred to as 'Tabloid' in portrait orientation (used for newspapers and newsletters) and 'Ledger' in landscape orientation (used for accounting spreadsheets and engineering schematics).
Specification Comparison Table
9 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Width × Height (Imperial)
|
5.50 × 8.50 in | 11.00 × 17.00 in |
|
Width × Height (Metric)
|
139.7 × 215.9 mm | 279.4 × 431.8 mm |
|
Aspect Ratio
|
1 : 1.5455 (11 : 17) | 1 : 1.5455 (11 : 17) |
|
International ISO Equivalent
|
A5 (148 × 210 mm — slightly wider and shorter) | A3 (297 × 420 mm — slightly wider and shorter) |
|
Primary Applications
|
Medical clinic prescription pads, restaurant receipt slips, flight pilot kneeboard checklists | Community newspapers, corporate financial accounting ledgers, CAD engineering diagrams, folded Letter brochures |
|
Derivation
|
Exactly half of a US Letter sheet (8.5 × 11 in cut across the 11 in dimension) | — |
|
Matching Binder Standard
|
Mini 3-ring binder (2.75 in ring spacing) | — |
|
ANSI Series Designation
|
— | ANSI B (Double ANSI A) |
|
Halving Relationship
|
— | Cut in half across length yields 2 sheets of US Letter (ANSI A) |