ramette

Ramette is a term used in the paper industry, primarily in French-speaking contexts, to denote a standard bundle of paper consisting of 500 individual sheets. It is the French equivalent of the English term ream. The ramette typically refers to a quantity of paper of uniform size and grade, though the exact dimensions depend on local conventions, with common sizes including A4 in much of Europe and Letter in North America.

In practice, a ramette is understood as 500 sheets of the same paper type and weight, packaged for retail or distribution. The size and packaging can vary by country and supplier, but the concept remains a fixed, convenient unit for ordering and inventory. In non-French-speaking markets, the term is less commonly used, and “ream” is the more familiar counterpart.

Etymology and usage: Ramette derives from the French word rame, meaning bundle, with the diminutive suffix -ette, indicating a standard or smaller measure. The term appears in historical and contemporary French commercial documentation and packaging labels.

Beyond its primary meaning, ramette may occasionally appear as a surname or place name in French-speaking regions, though these uses are relatively uncommon compared to its economic sense related to paper sales.

See also: Ream, Paper, Paper size.