Legal size paper measures 8.5 x 14 inches. This makes it longer than the standard letter size paper, which is 8.5 x 11 inches.
Understanding Legal Size Paper Dimensions
Legal size paper is a common paper standard, particularly in North America, used for various official and legal documents. Its distinct length provides additional space compared to typical letter paper.
The precise dimensions are:
| Paper Size | Dimensions (Width x Length) |
|---|---|
| Legal | 8.5 x 14 inches |
| Legal Wide | 14 x 8.5 inches |
While "Legal Wide" refers to the same dimensions, it simply indicates an orientation where the longer side (14 inches) is treated as the width, often relevant for specific printing layouts or specialized printers.
Common Uses and Practical Insights
Legal size paper is frequently used in professional settings where more space per page is required than what standard letter paper offers.
- Legal Documents: As its name suggests, it is widely used for contracts, deeds, briefs, and other legal filings that often require additional length for comprehensive details, signatures, or specific formatting.
- Financial Reports: Businesses and financial institutions sometimes utilize legal size for lengthy reports, spreadsheets, or financial statements to accommodate more data without increasing the number of pages.
- Government Forms: Various government agencies may issue forms that require the extra length of legal paper.
- Real Estate: Documents related to property transactions, such as mortgage agreements or title documents, are often printed on legal size paper.
Printing and Compatibility Tips
When working with legal size paper, consider the following:
- Printer Compatibility: Ensure your printer or copier supports legal size paper. Many office printers have adjustable trays that can accommodate this length, but it's always good to verify.
- Software Settings: Before printing, always check your document's page setup in your software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs) to specify "Legal" as the paper size. This prevents content from being cut off or improperly scaled.
- Filing and Storage: Standard filing cabinets and folders are typically designed for letter size. You will need legal-size specific folders and filing cabinets to properly store 8.5 x 14 inch documents without folding or damaging them.
- Scanning: Similar to printing, ensure your scanner's bed or automatic document feeder (ADF) can handle the 14-inch length of legal paper.
Understanding the specific dimensions of legal size paper is crucial for proper document creation, printing, and storage, ensuring compliance and professional presentation. More information on various paper sizes and their dimensions can be found in detailed references on paper standards.
