Bokformat

Bokformat is the term used in publishing and librarianship to describe the physical size and layout of a book. It covers the trim size (the final dimensions of the pages), the binding style (hardcover, paperback, or other), and the overall page design. Bokformat is an important bibliographic attribute because it affects production costs, distribution, pricing, readability, and portability, and it is often cited in catalogs and sales catalogs.

Historically, sizes such as folio, quarto, octavo, and duodecimo described the way sheets were folded and bound. In contemporary practice, bokformat refers to standardized or market-specific sizes. Common modern formats include trade paperback (typically around 15 x 23 cm or 6 x 9 inches), mass-market paperback (often about 10–11 x 17–18 cm or roughly 4 x 7 inches), and various hardcover sizes that usually fall within a similar range to trade paperbacks but with a rigid cover. Pocket or compact editions exist in several markets, usually smaller than trade paperbacks to enhance portability.

The choice of bokformat depends on factors such as target audience, genre, pricing strategy, and shelf presence. It influences how text is laid out, how many pages the book will have at a given trim size, and how easy it is for readers to handle and transport. In libraries and retailers, format commonly appears alongside edition and binding to help users identify the edition that best suits their needs.

See also: trim size, binding, page layout, edition.