In the United States and Canada, a standard letterhead is usually designed for US Letter paper: 8.5 × 11 inches (215.9 × 279.4 mm). In most other countries, the common choice is A4: 210 × 297 mm (about 8.27 × 11.69 inches). The letterhead is the printed design at the top of the page; its dimensions do not have to match the full sheet.
What “Letterhead Size” Means
The phrase can refer to two different measurements: the size of the paper a letterhead is printed on, or the height and width of the logo and contact information printed on it. For ordinary business correspondence, the paper is typically a full sheet of Letter or A4, while the graphic header occupies only the upper portion.
There is no single internationally universal letterhead size. The right sheet depends on where the document will be printed, mailed, filed, or used. A design made for Letter paper can be cropped or leave unexpected space when printed on A4, and vice versa.
- US Letter: 8.5 × 11 in (215.9 × 279.4 mm).
- A4: 210 × 297 mm (about 8.27 × 11.69 in).
- Common header area: often around 1–2 inches (25–50 mm) tall, depending on the design; this is a layout choice, not a required standard.
Paper Sizes and Regional Differences
US Letter is the familiar office-paper size in the United States and Canada. A4 is the standard choice across much of the rest of the world and is also used by many international organizations. A4 is slightly narrower and longer than Letter, so a design created for one size may not fit the other’s margins and content area exactly.
For a document that will be printed in one country, match the paper size commonly available there. For a document that will be shared internationally, decide which version is the master and consider preparing a separate layout for the other size. Simply selecting “fit to page” at print time can shrink or enlarge the content, which may make small text harder to read or shift the layout.
Some printers also use Legal paper, which measures 8.5 × 14 inches (215.9 × 355.6 mm) in the United States. Legal is not the usual size for a general letterhead. Use it only when the document’s purpose and recipient call for a longer sheet.
How to Choose the Header Dimensions
Keep the header large enough to identify the sender but compact enough to leave room for the letter. A logo, organization name, mailing address, phone number, website, or email address may appear there, but not every design needs every detail. The letter’s date, recipient address, subject, and body usually begin below the header, so reserving too much space can make a one-page letter spill onto a second sheet.
- Plan the content area: Leave enough clear space beneath the header for the date and recipient details, as well as the letter itself.
- Check printer margins: Many office printers cannot print to the very edge of the sheet. Keep important text and logos comfortably inside the printer’s printable area.
- Use readable type: Contact details should remain legible at normal print size. Avoid shrinking them merely to fit an overfilled header.
- Allow for the logo’s proportions: Scale a logo without stretching it. A wide logo may need a shorter header than a tall emblem.
- Consider envelopes and filing: Keep key information away from areas that could be folded, covered, or clipped by a binder or scanner.
A header about 1–2 inches high is a useful starting point for many simple layouts, but it is not a rule. A small logo and one line of contact details may need less space; a formal letterhead with several address lines may need more. Check the whole page, not just the header, before finalizing the design.
Template
ORGANIZATION NAME: ____________________________________________
Logo or mark: _________________________________________________
Street address: _______________________________________________
City, region, postal code: _____________________________________
Phone: __________________________ Email or website: __________________________
Date: __________________________
Recipient name and address: ________________________________________________
Subject: _________________________________________________________________
Dear __________________________,
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Sincerely,
Sender name and title: _____________________________________________________
Signature: _______________________________________________________________
Sample (fictional details):
Northwind Community Club | 14 Cedar Lane, Lakeview, OR 97000 | 555-010-0142 | hello@example.org
November 6, 2026
To: Jordan Lee, 22 Pine Street, Lakeview, OR 97000
Subject: Community meeting
Dear Jordan,
Please join us for the monthly community meeting on November 20. We look forward to seeing you.
Sincerely,
Casey Morgan, Club Coordinator
Setting Up a File for Printing
Set the page dimensions to the intended paper size before placing the logo or writing the letter. For a Letter document, enter 8.5 inches wide by 11 inches tall; for A4, use 210 mm by 297 mm. Use portrait orientation for conventional correspondence unless a specific purpose calls for landscape.
Keep a clean source version with editable text and graphics, then review a print-ready copy at its actual size. If a print shop requests bleed or special export settings, follow its specifications; ordinary office letterhead usually does not need artwork extending to the paper edge. A print preview can reveal cut-off contact details, a logo too close to the edge, or body text beginning too low.
Common Size and Printing Problems
- Wrong paper selected: A Letter page sent to an A4 printer, or the reverse, may be scaled, clipped, or surrounded by extra space. Select the matching paper size in both the document and print settings.
- Header too tall: A large banner can leave too little room for the letter. Reduce decorative space before reducing the body text to an uncomfortable size.
- Text near the edge: Printable margins vary by printer. Keep essential information away from the edges and test the design on the printer that will be used.
- Logo looks distorted: Resizing width and height independently can stretch artwork. Preserve its proportions and use a sufficiently clear image.
- Color changes in print: Screen colors and printed colors can differ. If color accuracy matters, request or review a proof before producing a large quantity.
A common misconception is that “letterhead” means a special paper size. Usually it means the branded stationery or page design, printed on ordinary Letter or A4 paper. The header’s height is flexible; the paper size is the measurement that must match the intended use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard letterhead size in inches?
In the United States and Canada, the common sheet size is 8.5 × 11 inches. The letterhead design itself may occupy only the top 1–2 inches.
Is letterhead the same size as A4 paper?
It can be. A4 measures 210 × 297 mm, or about 8.27 × 11.69 inches, and is widely used outside North America. The page design should be set to A4 when that is the intended printing size.
How tall should a letterhead header be?
There is no required height. Around 1–2 inches is a practical starting point for many layouts, adjusted to the amount of branding and contact information and the space needed for the letter.
Can I print Letter-size letterhead on A4 paper?
You can, but the printer may scale or reposition the design. For reliable alignment and consistent text size, use a document configured for the paper size you will actually print.
What margins should I use?
Use margins that work with the printer and preserve a clear writing area. Printer capabilities differ, so keep important design elements away from the edges and check a full-size print preview or test sheet.