legalsize

Legalsize, commonly written as legal size, refers to a paper format used primarily in North America. The standard dimensions are 8.5 by 14 inches (216 by 356 millimeters). This size is longer than the standard letter size (8.5 by 11 inches) and is not part of the ISO A-series.

Usage of legalsize is traditionally associated with legal documents, contracts, and forms that benefit from extra length without folding. While some organizations specify legal size for filing or archival purposes, others rely on letter size and adjust content through pagination or margins. In practice, the choice often depends on institutional requirements or printer compatibility.

Printing and handling considerations include the fact that many printers and copiers offer a legal size option or a 14-inch paper tray. If a device lacks support for 14-inch sheets, users may print on letter size and trim or fold, or switch to a compatible alternative. Digitally, documents can be configured for legal size by adjusting margins rather than altering content.

Regional context and terminology: the term legalsize is mainly used in the United States, with Canada to a lesser extent. Outside North America, the ISO A-series (such as A4) is standard, and “legal” size is not widely adopted. The terms legal size, legal paper, and legal sheet are often used interchangeably, though usage can vary by country and organization.

See also: Letter size, A4, ANSI standard sizes.