11×17 paper is considered ANSI B size under the American National Standards Institute standard, known as Tabloid in portrait orientation and Ledger in landscape orientation.
The 11×17 sheet is the workhorse of North American engineering, architecture, and publishing — large enough for blueprints and spreadsheets, but smaller than plotter rolls. Its official designation, ANSI B, sits one step above the familiar letter-size ANSI A, and it fills a specific niche that ISO A3 almost, but not quite, covers. This article covers the exact dimensions, the differences from A3, the two names it goes by, and what to check before you buy a single sheet.
Exact Dimensions and Official Designations
The sheet measures exactly 11 inches by 17 inches — 279.4 mm by 431.8 mm, or 27.94 by 43.18 centimeters. That gives it 187 square inches of surface area. Under the ANSI/ASME Y14.1 standard for engineering drawing formats, this is designated ANSI B.
The two common names reflect how you orient the sheet:
- Tabloid — portrait orientation, 11 inches wide by 17 inches tall. This is the name you’ll most often see in design software and printer menus.
- Ledger — landscape orientation, 17 inches wide by 11 inches tall. The same sheet, turned sideways.
If your software says “Tabloid” and you intended landscape, you’ll get a rotated print — that’s one of the most common orientation mistakes we cover below.
How 11×17 Compares to ISO A3
The closest international standard is A3, part of the ISO 216 system used across Europe, Australia, and most of Asia. A3 measures 297 mm by 420 mm (11.69 by 16.54 inches). So A3 is actually 1.7 mm wider and 0.54 inches shorter than 11×17.
In casual conversation many people call 11×17 “A3,” but technically they are different sizes. If you’re working with a global team or sending files to an overseas printer, specifying the right one matters — an 11×17 file placed on an A3 sheet will have a thin margin on one side. For North American work (engineering, architecture, tabloid publications, detailed financial tables), 11×17 is the standard; for international technical documents, use A3.
What Uses 11×17 Paper?
This size is common in several fields. Engineering drawings, architectural blueprints, and large data spreadsheets make up the bulk of professional use. Print shops run posters, booklets, folded brochures, and tabloid-format newspapers on it. If you’ve ever unfolded a newspaper-style booklet or a large wall calendar, you’ve probably held an 11×17 sheet.
If you’re buying 11×17 cardstock for a project — invitations, signs, presentation covers — the right paper thickness and finish make a noticeable difference. Our tested picks for 11×17 cardstock cover the strongest and most print-friendly options for home and office use.
Printer Compatibility and Common Mistakes
Not every office or home printer handles 11×17. Standard letter-size printers max out at 8.5 x 11 inches — you need a printer that explicitly lists “Tabloid,” “ANSI B,” or “11×17” support. These are typically bulkier laser printers or large-format copiers; some inkjet models may struggle with the sheet weight. Before buying a team of 11×17, check your printer’s spec sheet for jamming risks.
The three most frequent errors people make:
- Confusing with A3. As noted, A3 and 11×17 are close but not identical — trimming or rescaling may be needed for cross-standard work.
- Orientation mislabeling. Selecting “Tabloid” when you need “Ledger” rotates the output 90 degrees. Verify the orientation in your print preview.
- Printer incompatibility. Buying the paper before verifying the printer supports the size and paper weight. A jammed sheet in a high-speed laser can damage rollers.
No special safety hazards come with 11×17 paper, but handle larger sheets carefully to avoid tearing and misalignment in automatic feeders. Match the paper weight to your printer’s recommended range, and you’ll avoid most problems.
FAQs
Is 11×17 the same as A3?
No. A3 measures 297 x 420 mm (about 11.69 x 16.54 inches), making it slightly wider and shorter than 11×17. The two are often confused, but a file designed for one will need slight scaling or trimming to fit the other.
Why is it called Tabloid and Ledger?
The name Tabloid comes from newspaper journalism — tabloid-format papers traditionally used this size in portrait orientation. Ledger refers to its use in landscape orientation for accounting ledgers, spreadsheets, and large tables where the extra width accommodates more columns.
Can a regular printer use 11×17 paper?
Only if the printer specifically lists “Tabloid,” “ANSI B,” or “11×17” in its specifications. Most standard home printers are limited to letter size (8.5 x 11). Check your manual before buying the paper, and choose a paper weight the printer can handle without jamming.
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