Architectural ARCH vs ANSI Paper Sizes
ARCH D is 24 × 36 inches; ANSI D is 22 × 34. Compare their outlines below, then choose another drawing sheet or copy the ARCH chart at your chosen orientation and PPI. The reference includes 18 × 24 ARCH C, 30 × 42 ARCH E1 and 36 × 48 ARCH E.
- ARCH D · 609.6 × 914.4 mm
- ANSI D · 558.8 × 863.6 mm
- Units
Custom sides are normalized to short × long in portrait; landscape turns both sheets. PPI sets the raster canvas size; it does not set screen size or guarantee print quality.
ARCH D is 50.8 mm wider and 50.8 mm taller than ANSI D.
- North American architectural drawing sheet; distinct from the ANSI engineering series.
- C1 is 38.4 mm wider and 2.6 mm taller.
Paper size reference chart
ARCH A to E and E1, defined in inches. ARCH D is 24 × 36, not ANSI D at 22 × 34. Chart dimensions follow the chosen orientation and resolution.
| Size | Millimeters | Inches | Pixels at 300 ppi | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 228.6 × 304.8 mm | 9 × 12 in | 2700 × 3600 px | North American architectural drawing sheet; distinct from the ANSI engineering series. | |
| 304.8 × 457.2 mm | 12 × 18 in | 3600 × 5400 px | North American architectural drawing sheet; distinct from the ANSI engineering series. | |
| 457.2 × 609.6 mm | 18 × 24 in | 5400 × 7200 px | North American architectural drawing sheet; distinct from the ANSI engineering series. | |
| 609.6 × 914.4 mm | 24 × 36 in | 7200 × 10800 px | North American architectural drawing sheet; distinct from the ANSI engineering series. | |
| 762 × 1066.8 mm | 30 × 42 in | 9000 × 12600 px | North American architectural drawing sheet; distinct from the ANSI engineering series. | |
| 914.4 × 1219.2 mm | 36 × 48 in | 10800 × 14400 px | North American architectural drawing sheet; distinct from the ANSI engineering series. |
For an existing PDF, place four A6 pages on an A4 or Letter sheet with PDF N-up; export there, then print at actual size. To convert arbitrary artwork dimensions, use Pixels to Print Size.
ARCH nominal dimensions
Portrait, raster counts at 300 ppi. The interactive chart above follows your chosen resolution and orientation.
| Size | Millimeters | Inches | Pixels at 300 ppi |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH A | 228.6 × 304.8 mm | 9 × 12 in | 2700 × 3600 px |
| ARCH B | 304.8 × 457.2 mm | 12 × 18 in | 3600 × 5400 px |
| ARCH C | 457.2 × 609.6 mm | 18 × 24 in | 5400 × 7200 px |
| ARCH D | 609.6 × 914.4 mm | 24 × 36 in | 7200 × 10800 px |
| ARCH E1 | 762 × 1066.8 mm | 30 × 42 in | 9000 × 12600 px |
| ARCH E | 914.4 × 1219.2 mm | 36 × 48 in | 10800 × 14400 px |
Common questions
- What are the standard ARCH sheet dimensions?
- ARCH A is 9 × 12 inches, B is 12 × 18, C is 18 × 24, D is 24 × 36, E1 is 30 × 42 and E is 36 × 48. The interactive chart converts the defining inch dimensions to millimeters, centimeters and resolution-specific pixels.
- Is ARCH D the same as ANSI D or A1?
- No. ARCH D is 609.6 × 914.4 mm; ANSI D is 558.8 × 863.6 mm; A1 is 594 × 841 mm. Both smaller nominal outlines fit inside ARCH D, but scaling a drawing to another sheet changes its physical scale. Check the drawing’s stated scale and print settings independently.
- Which sheet is 18 × 24 or 24 × 36 inches?
- 18 × 24 is ARCH C; 24 × 36 is ARCH D. ANSI C is 17 × 22 and ANSI D is 22 × 34. Select the series explicitly rather than choosing only a C or D label.
Listed sizes are nominal trimmed dimensions, not measurements of your stock. Pixels are inches times the chosen PPI, rounded to whole pixels. Printer margins and bleed are separate.