An A5 notebook measures 148 × 210 mm — 14.8 × 21.0 cm, or 5.83 × 8.27 inches. That is the page size; the cover of a bound A5 notebook usually runs 2–5 mm larger on each edge. A5 is exactly half an A4 sheet, which is why it has become the default size for journals, planners and bullet journals worldwide.
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Page size is fixed by ISO 216. Cover size varies a little by binding, so both are listed.
| Measurement | Millimetres | Centimetres | Inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Page width | 148 mm | 14.8 cm | 5.83 in |
| Page height | 210 mm | 21.0 cm | 8.27 in |
| Typical hardcover | 145 × 210 mm | 14.5 × 21.0 cm | 5.7 × 8.3 in |
| Open (two-page spread) | 296 × 210 mm | 29.6 × 21.0 cm | 11.7 × 8.3 in |
| Spine, 240-page hardcover | 15–18 mm | 1.5–1.8 cm | 0.6–0.7 in |
| Page area | 31,080 mm² | 310.8 cm² | 48.2 sq in |
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Quick answer: A5 notebook pages are 148 × 210 mm (5.83 × 8.27 in). Watch for covers listed as "A5" at 145 × 210 mm — that is the trimmed hardcover dimension, not a different standard.
How A5 sits against the sizes it is most often confused with.
| Size | Dimensions (mm) | Dimensions (in) | Compared to A5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A6 (pocket) | 105 × 148 mm | 4.13 × 5.83 in | Half the area |
| Moleskine Large | 130 × 210 mm | 5.1 × 8.25 in | 18 mm narrower, same height |
| A5 | 148 × 210 mm | 5.83 × 8.27 in | — |
| Half Letter | 140 × 216 mm | 5.5 × 8.5 in | 8 mm narrower, 6 mm taller |
| B5 | 176 × 250 mm | 6.93 × 9.84 in | About 40% more page area |
| Composition book | 191 × 248 mm | 7.5 × 9.75 in | About 60% more page area |
| A4 | 210 × 297 mm | 8.27 × 11.69 in | Twice the area |
The trap is Half Letter and Moleskine Large, both sold loosely as "A5". Neither matches ISO A5, so A5 refill inserts, page markers and printable planner templates will be a few millimetres out. If you are buying inserts, check the millimetres rather than the label. Full comparisons are in the notebook sizes guide.
Practical capacity for the ways A5 notebooks actually get used.
| Use | Typical capacity |
|---|---|
| Handwriting at 7 mm ruling | 26–28 lines per page |
| Handwriting at 5 mm dot grid | 38 columns × 55 rows of dots |
| Printed body text at 11 pt | Around 250 words per page |
| Bullet journal daily log | One full day, or two half-days per spread |
| Weight, 240-page 80 gsm hardcover | Roughly 380–420 g |
The 5 mm dot grid count is the one that matters for bullet journalling: 38 × 55 is the standard Leuchtturm1917 and Rhodia layout, and nearly every printable template assumes it. A 7 mm ruled A5 page holds about the same text as a 6 mm ruled Half Letter page, so switching between the two costs you very little.
| Use case | Is A5 right? |
|---|---|
| Daily journal or bullet journal | Yes — the format most templates and inserts are built for |
| Everyday carry in a bag | Yes — fits any backpack sleeve and most handbags |
| Lecture and meeting notes | Workable, but B5 or composition gives more room for diagrams |
| Sketching and mind maps | Cramped — step up to B5 or A4 |
| Pocket carry | Too large — A6 at 105 × 148 mm is the pocket size |
A5 pages are 14.8 cm wide and 21.0 cm high. In millimetres that is 148 × 210 mm, and in inches 5.83 × 8.27 in.
5.83 × 8.27 inches. That is close to, but not the same as, the 5.5 × 8.5 in Half Letter size sold in North America.
Yes, exactly. A4 is 210 × 297 mm; fold it across the long side and you get 148 × 210 mm, which is A5. The 1:√2 side ratio means the proportions stay identical.
No. A Moleskine Large is 130 × 210 mm — the same height as A5 but 18 mm narrower. A5 inserts and printable templates will not line up in one.
About 26 to 28 on standard 7 mm ruling. Dot grid A5 pages typically carry a 38 × 55 array of dots at 5 mm spacing.
Yes — it is the size the bullet journal method is built around. One A5 spread comfortably holds a full daily log with a tracker, and virtually every printable template and sticker set is sized for it.
A6, at 105 × 148 mm (4.13 × 5.83 in), which is half an A5 page and the standard pocket notebook size.
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Now that you know the exact dimensions, compare rulings, paper weights and bindings.
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