Standard Book Sizes report
The publishing industry is often confused about the definition of the book size, and there is less consistency in its use. When a general book is designed in size, it is related to the trim size of the papers. The rule adopted by the American publishing industry is to measure the height of the bound book, not the height of the paper inside the book.
Have you noticed that books on the shelves come in all shapes and sizes? Usually, American libraries use centimeters following international conventions, while their printing and publishing industry still follows the old system of inches.
Book sizes vary based on each book, and publishers determine these sizes based on economic, practical, and artistic factors. In this post, we will take you through the standard book sizes in the industry.
Standard Book Size Guide
Book size will affect book design and layout, the audience's reading experience, and potential profit margins. In publishing parlance, trim size describes the height and width of the pages of a book. Larger page size can fit more words; the more words per page, the fewer pages overall. Paper stock and binding also contribute to the overall weight and size of a book.
After each paper is printed and bound, the book is mechanically "trimmed" so that the size of every page is uniform. The trim size relates to these dimensions, in Width x Height. In the U.S., the trim size is denoted in inches; in Europe, it is in millimeters. The following size chart lists popular book sizes on the market.
Popular Book Sizes
There tends to be a range of commonly accepted book sizes. The only exceptions are mass-market paperbacks and comic books, which typically conform to an industry-wide standard.
| Book | Size |
|---|---|
| Mass Market Paperback Books | 4.25" x 6.87" |
| Digest Book | 5.5" x 8.5" |
| Trade Paperbacks | 5" x 8" to 6" x 9" |
| Hardcover and Textbooks | 6" x 9" to 8.5" x 11" |
| Comic Books | 6.625" x 10.25" |
| Book | UK Size |
|---|---|
| A6 | 105 x 148 mm |
| A Format | 111 x 178 mm |
| B Format (UK) | 129 x 198 mm |
| B Format (US) | 127 x 203 mm |
| A5 | 148 x 210 mm |
| Demy | 138 x 216 mm |
| American Royal | 152 x 229 mm |
| Royal | 156 x 234 mm |
| Pinched Crown Quarto | up to 171 x 248 mm |
| Crown Quarto | 189 x 246 mm |
| A4 | 210 297 mm |
Conclusion
Book publish size depends on economic and aesthetic factors. There is no one size fits all. For example, mass paperback books you might see in the grocery store or airport are a standard trim size of 4.25" x 6.87", while trade paperbacks you would typically find in a bookstore can range from 5" x 8" to 8" x 10". You do not have to stick to these sizes and can produce custom sizes.
