Side-by-Side Comparison
North American (ANSI & Arch)
US Half Letter vs. US Letter
Comparing 2 standards across 11 specifications. 11 key differences identified.
Comparing:
US Half Letter
US Letter
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 Letter (ANSI A) is the standard business and consumer paper size in the United States, Canada, and parts of Mexico, measuring exactly 8.5 × 11.0 inches (215.9 × 279.4 mm). Standardized under ANSI/ASME Y14.1, it is slightly wider and shorter than the international ISO 216 A4 format.
Specification Comparison Table
11 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Width × Height (Imperial)
|
5.50 × 8.50 in | 8.50 × 11.00 in |
|
Width × Height (Metric)
|
139.7 × 215.9 mm | 215.9 × 279.4 mm |
|
Aspect Ratio
|
1 : 1.5455 (11 : 17) | 1 : 1.2941 (17 : 22 — not √2) |
|
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) | — |
|
Primary Applications
|
Medical clinic prescription pads, restaurant receipt slips, flight pilot kneeboard checklists | — |
|
ANSI Series Designation
|
— | ANSI A (Base engineering format) |
|
Comparison to ISO A4
|
— | US Letter is 5.9 mm wider and 17.6 mm shorter than A4 (210 × 297 mm) |
|
Standard Office Weight
|
— | 20 lb Bond (approx. 75 gsm) or 24 lb Bond (approx. 90 gsm) |
|
Matching Envelope Standard
|
— | US #10 Envelope (4.125 × 9.50 in / 104.8 × 241.3 mm) |