US Legal paper

US Legal paper measures 8.5 inches (216 mm) wide and 14 inches (356 mm) tall. It shares the same width as US Letter but is 3 inches longer, and it is used mainly for legal documents, contracts, and some government forms in the United States. This page covers the exact dimensions, how it compares to other US paper sizes, and where it is used.

Dimensions

Area and aspect ratio

US Legal has an area of about 0.0768 square meters, roughly 27 percent larger than US Letter. Its aspect ratio is about 1:1.647, taller and narrower in proportion than Letter’s 1:1.294 ratio. The extra length is the main functional difference between the two sizes.

North American paper sizes

Legal keeps the exact same width as Letter, which is why most printers can handle both sizes without adjusting the paper tray width, only the length guide. Junior Legal, a less common size used for shorter legal notes and memos, is exactly half the length of Legal paper.

US Legal vs A4

Legal paper is significantly longer than A4, by nearly 2.5 inches. There is no direct ISO equivalent to Legal size; the closest match in length terms would fall between A4 and A3, but neither matches Legal’s specific proportions.

Common uses

Legal paper gets its name from its traditional use in legal documents like contracts, wills, and court filings, where the extra length accommodates longer clauses and signature blocks without running out of room. Some government forms, especially at the state level in the US, also default to Legal size. Outside legal and government contexts, Legal paper is relatively uncommon; most offices default to Letter size for everyday printing.

Practical tips for working with Legal paper

Not every home or office printer has a tray that accommodates Legal-length paper by default, so check your printer’s paper tray adjustments before printing. Many printer trays extend to fit Legal paper, but some compact printers cannot handle the extra length at all. When creating a document meant for Legal paper, set the page size explicitly in your word processor, since Letter is almost always the default.

Frequently asked questions

What is US Legal paper size in inches?

8.5 x 14 inches. In millimeters, that is 216 x 356 mm.

How is Legal different from Letter?

Legal is the same width as Letter (8.5 inches) but 3 inches longer, 14 inches total instead of 11.

Why is it called Legal paper?

The size became associated with legal documents like contracts and court filings, where the extra length helped fit longer clauses and multiple signature lines.

Can all printers print on Legal paper?

Not all. Many standard printers support Legal size through an adjustable tray, but some compact or budget printers are limited to Letter size only.

Is there an A-series equivalent to Legal paper?

Not exactly. Legal’s dimensions fall between A4 and A3 in length but don’t match either size’s proportions or measurements.

Related objects

• US Letter paper
• A4 paper
• A3 paper
• A5 paper