Canadian paper sizes officially use the CAN 2-9.60M standard with the P series (P1-P6), which are US ANSI sizes rounded to 5mm. These range from P6 (107 × 140 mm) to P1 (560 × 860 mm) in various measurements including millimeters, inches, points, and pixels.

The P series is obsolete today. Canadians actually use US Letter (8.5 × 11 inches), Legal, and Tabloid sizes for everyday printing, with ISO A4 available for international work.

Complete Canadian Paper Sizes Chart

Here’s the complete breakdown of Canadian P series dimensions in all common measurement units:

The aspect ratios vary across the P series. P1 has a 1:1.54 ratio, while P2 uses 1:1.30. This inconsistency makes scaling and enlarging between sizes more complex than with ISO A series paper, which maintains a constant 1:√2 ratio.

Canadian Paper Sizes vs US Letter

P4 is the closest Canadian equivalent to US Letter, but they’re not identical. P4 measures 215 × 280 mm (8.5 × 11 inches), which matches US Letter dimensions almost perfectly after metric conversion.

The critical difference is in the aspect ratio system. While US Letter uses imperial measurements with no standardized aspect ratio, Canadian P series attempted metric standardization but created multiple aspect ratios instead of one consistent ratio.

ISO A4 paper (210 × 297 mm) is narrower and longer than both US Letter and P4. Many Canadians encounter A4 format when dealing with international documents or European business partners.

P4 is nearly identical to US Letter in practice. The 0.4mm difference in width is negligible for most printing and copying needs. This is why Canadian offices often use US Letter stock without compatibility issues.

What Paper Sizes Do Canadians Actually Use Today?

US Letter (8.5 × 11 inches) dominates Canadian offices and homes. Walk into any Canadian office supply store and you’ll find Letter-size paper as the default stock, not P4.

Legal size (8.5 × 14 inches) is the second most common format for legal documents and contracts. Tabloid/Ledger (11 × 17 inches) serves for larger prints and presentations.

ISO A4 paper is increasingly available in Canada due to international business needs. Government departments and universities often stock both Letter and A4 formats to accommodate different document standards.

The P series remains virtually unused in 2026. You won’t find P1, P2, P3, P5, or P6 paper in standard retail stores or office suppliers.

Canadian Paper Size Conversion Guide for US Businesses

US businesses shipping documents to Canada should stick with standard US Letter size. Canadian printers and copiers handle 8.5 × 11 inch paper without any adjustments needed.

For larger formats, 11 × 17 inch Tabloid works perfectly in Canadian print shops. If you need architectural or engineering drawings, use ANSI sizes (A, B, C, D) rather than the obsolete P series.

Printer settings should default to US Letter for Canadian recipients. Modern Canadian printers recognize both imperial and metric paper sizes, so compatibility is seamless with standard US formats.

Where to Buy Canadian Paper Sizes and Printing Considerations

P series paper is essentially unavailable in Canadian retail stores. Staples Canada, Office Depot, and Grand & Toy stock US Letter, Legal, and Tabloid formats as primary inventory.

ISO A-series paper including A4, A3, and A5 can be purchased from specialty printing suppliers and online retailers. Amazon Canada and major office suppliers carry A4 reams for international business needs.

For custom printing projects, Canadian print shops work with standard US formats and ISO sizes. Request US Letter or A4 instead of obsolete P4 to avoid confusion and ensure paper availability.

Digital printing services in Canada accept files in any dimension. Specify your desired output size in millimeters or inches rather than referencing the outdated P series nomenclature.

FAQ’s (Canadian Paper Sizes)

What is the standard paper size in Canada?

US Letter (8.5 × 11 inches or 216 × 279 mm) is the standard paper size in Canada. While the official CAN 2-9.60M standard created the P4 size (215 × 280 mm), Canadian offices and homes predominantly use US Letter format for everyday printing and copying.

What is 11×17 paper called in Canada?

11 × 17 inch paper is called Tabloid or Ledger in Canada, identical to US terminology. Canadians don’t use a special P series name for this size. The format measures 279 × 432 mm in metric units.

What size is A3 paper in Canada?

A3 paper in Canada measures 297 × 420 mm (11.69 × 16.54 inches). This ISO standard size is available in Canadian office supply stores and print shops. A3 is twice the size of A4 when the sheet is oriented in landscape mode.

Is A4 size paper available in Canada?

Yes, A4 paper (210 × 297 mm) is readily available in Canada through office supply stores, online retailers, and print shops. Growing international business has increased A4 stock availability in Canadian markets alongside traditional Letter-size paper.

Is A6 the same as A4?

No, A6 is not the same as A4. A6 measures 105 × 148 mm (4.13 × 5.83 inches), making it exactly one-quarter the size of A4. A6 is commonly used for postcards and small flyers, while A4 serves as standard document size.

Conclusion

Canadian paper sizes sound complicated, but the reality is simple. The P series (P1-P6) exists in official standards but disappeared from actual use decades ago.

Canadians use US Letter size for everyday printing, just like Americans. If you’re doing business with Canada, stick with 8.5 × 11 inch Letter paper and standard US formats. They work perfectly in Canadian printers and offices.

The CAN 2-9.60M standard is historical trivia now. Focus on what’s practical: Letter, Legal, and Tabloid for North American work, or A4 and A3 when international standards matter.

No need to memorize P sizes. They’re obsolete, unavailable in stores, and replaced by formats you already know and use.