US Legal paper size
US Legal is part of the North American range (US). Commonly used for contracts, legal documents.
US Legal dimensions
215.9 × 355.6 mm
8.5 × 14 inches · 21.59 × 35.56 cm ·
aspect ratio 17:28
All units
| Unit | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 215.9 | 355.6 |
| Centimetres | 21.59 | 35.56 |
| Inches | 8.5 | 14 |
| Points (PostScript) | 612 | 1008 |
Pixel dimensions by resolution
Pixels are not a property of the paper — they depend on the resolution you print at. Build the document at the size you will actually output.
| Resolution | Pixels (W × H) | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| 72 DPI | 612 × 1,008 | Screen and web only |
| 96 DPI | 816 × 1,344 | Windows screen default |
| 150 DPI | 1,275 × 2,100 | Draft and home printing |
| 300 DPI | 2,550 × 4,200 | Standard for commercial print and print-on-demand |
| 600 DPI | 5,100 × 8,400 | Fine art and high-detail line work |
300 DPI is the number you want in almost every case. Print-on-demand services, Etsy printables and commercial printers all expect it. Exporting at 72 DPI and enlarging does not add detail — it just prints the same pixels bigger and softer.
Compared with other sizes
Other North American sizes
| Size | mm | inches | px at 300 DPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Letter | 215.9 × 279.4 | 8.5 × 11 | 2,550 × 3,300 |
| Tabloid | 279.4 × 431.8 | 11 × 17 | 3,300 × 5,100 |
| Half Letter | 139.7 × 215.9 | 5.5 × 8.5 | 1,650 × 2,550 |
| Junior Legal | 127 × 203.2 | 5 × 8 | 1,500 × 2,400 |
| Executive | 184.2 × 266.7 | 7.25 × 10.5 | 2,175 × 3,150 |
| ANSI C | 431.8 × 558.8 | 17 × 22 | 5,100 × 6,600 |
| ANSI D | 558.8 × 863.6 | 22 × 34 | 6,600 × 10,200 |
| ANSI E | 863.6 × 1117.6 | 34 × 44 | 10,200 × 13,200 |
Common questions
What size is US Legal in millimetres?
US Legal is 215.9 × 355.6 mm.
What size is US Legal in inches?
8.5 × 14 inches, which is 21.59 × 35.56 cm.
How many pixels is US Legal at 300 DPI?
2,550 × 4,200 pixels. That is the canvas size to use for anything going to a commercial printer. For screen-only use, 72 DPI gives 612 × 1,008 px.
What is US Legal used for?
Contracts, legal documents.