broadsheet

Broadsheet is a newspaper format defined by large pages and a formal, text-heavy presentation. Traditionally, a broadsheet page measures about 600 millimeters tall and 380 millimeters wide when open, producing a tall, rectangular sheet when folded. The format is associated with in-depth reporting, longer articles, and a more formal layout, with broadsheet newspapers often emphasizing politics, business, and international news over sensational stories.

Originating in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, the term began as a description of a broad single sheet used for proclamations and notices. The name was adopted for newspapers that adopted this large, single-sheet format, and it became the standard reference for the largest newspaper size in many markets.

In modern publishing, broadsheet can refer to either the physical size of a newspaper or to the publication itself when printed in that format. Across regions, traditional broadsheets once dominated daily print, but many papers have shifted to compact or tabloid formats to appeal to readers seeking easier handling, quicker reading, and greater versatility for digital integration. Some flagship papers retain the broadsheet size as part of their brand identity, while others offer both formats.

Related topics include tabloid and compact formats, which describe smaller newspaper sizes and differing design approaches, as well as broader discussions of newspaper layout and print media formats.