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Engineering Drawing Sheet Size Reference Table (ASME and ISO)

Choosing the wrong sheet size causes reprints, scaled drawings that no longer read correctly, and PDM templates that do not match what the shop prints. This table lists the common ASME inch sizes, architectural sizes and ISO metric sizes side by side so you can find the nearest equivalent fast.

Download:
SystemSize codeWidth (in)Height (in)Width (mm)Height (mm)Nearest equivalent
ASME Y14.1 (inch)
A
8.50
11.00
216
279
ISO A4
ASME Y14.1 (inch)
B
11.00
17.00
279
432
ISO A3
ASME Y14.1 (inch)
C
17.00
22.00
432
559
ISO A2 (smaller)
ASME Y14.1 (inch)
D
22.00
34.00
559
864
ISO A1 (slightly smaller)
ASME Y14.1 (inch)
E
34.00
44.00
864
1118
ISO A0 (slightly smaller)
ASME Y14.1 (inch)
F
28.00
40.00
711
1016
Between ISO A1 and A0
Architectural (ARCH)
ARCH A
9.00
12.00
229
305
ISO A4 (slightly larger)
Architectural (ARCH)
ARCH B
12.00
18.00
305
457
ISO A3 (slightly larger)
Architectural (ARCH)
ARCH C
18.00
24.00
457
610
ISO A2 (slightly larger)
Architectural (ARCH)
ARCH D
24.00
36.00
610
914
ISO A1 (slightly larger)
Architectural (ARCH)
ARCH E
36.00
48.00
914
1219
Larger than ISO A0
ISO 216 / ASME Y14.1M (metric)
A0
33.11
46.81
841
1189
ASME E (slightly larger)
ISO 216 / ASME Y14.1M (metric)
A1
23.39
33.11
594
841
ASME D
ISO 216 / ASME Y14.1M (metric)
A2
16.54
23.39
420
594
ASME C
ISO 216 / ASME Y14.1M (metric)
A3
11.69
16.54
297
420
ASME B
ISO 216 / ASME Y14.1M (metric)
A4
8.27
11.69
210
297
ASME A (US Letter)
ISO 216 / ASME Y14.1M (metric)
A5
5.83
8.27
148
210
Half of A4, used for small notes and tags

Inch and millimetre values are rounded. ISO sizes are defined in millimetres and ASME sizes in inches, so converted values differ slightly. Check your company drawing standard and customer contract for the required sheet size, border and zoning.

Automate drawing release checks

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How to use this table

Type a size code such as B or A3 into the search box, or a system name such as ISO, to filter the rows. Read across to see the size in inches and millimetres and the nearest counterpart in the other system. Export the filtered view to Excel or PDF to paste into a drawing standard, a PDM template specification or a supplier drawing requirements sheet.

  • Match the size to the drawing standard your customer cites
  • Keep one sheet size per template in the PDM or CAD system
  • Confirm the plotter or print queue supports the size you choose

The logic behind the sizes

ISO 216 A sizes are built from a sheet of 1 square metre (A0) with a 1 to square root of 2 aspect ratio, so each size is exactly half of the one before it. ASME Y14.1 sizes in inches also double in area from A to B, but the step from B to C and C to D alternates between aspect ratios, so they are not true halves of one another. That is why ASME C is close to but smaller than ISO A2. Drawing format standards also define border widths, title block position and zone grids for each size.

Common mistakes

The usual errors are mixing ASME and ISO sizes within one drawing package, reducing a D size drawing to A3 without checking that text still meets the minimum legible height, and assuming Letter and A4 are interchangeable when printing to a fixed margin template. Multi-sheet drawings should also keep the same size across sheets unless the standard allows otherwise. When you exchange drawings with a supplier in another region, state the sheet size and scale in the purchase order drawing note.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ANSI and ASME drawing sizes?

The sizes are the same. ANSI published the original Y14.1 standard and it is now maintained by ASME, so you will see both names for sizes A through F. Older drawings and software templates often say ANSI A to ANSI E, while newer documents say ASME Y14.1.

Is ASME B the same as A3?

No, but they are close. ASME B is 11 by 17 inches (279 by 432 mm) and ISO A3 is 297 by 420 mm. A3 is slightly longer and narrower, so a B size drawing printed on A3 may need a small scaling adjustment.

Which sheet size should a PDM template default to?

Use the size your customers and shop printers handle most often. Many US shops default to B or C for part drawings and D or E for assemblies, while metric shops default to A3 or A2. Keep the template list short so engineers do not choose arbitrarily.

Can I use this table for architectural plans?

It includes the ARCH A to E sizes as a convenience, but architectural projects may follow other conventions in their own standards. Use it for quick reference and confirm the size requirement in the project specification.

If your drawing release and ECN approvals live in an ERP or PLM, Netray can help automate checks such as sheet size and revision on release. Talk to us if that is on your list.

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