Notebook Sizes — To Scale
In summary, the diverse range of notebook sizes and standards reveals nuanced differences in global paper cultures and user preferences.
Headlines
- Notebook Sizes Vary by Region. Sizes like B5 and B6 come in both JIS and ISO standards, reflecting regional paper traditions.
- 'Slim' Sizes Offer Flexibility. These non-standard cuts add variety but should be approached with caution due to size variances by brand.
- Shopping Links Provide Regional Access. Verified specs and linked resources cater to local marketplaces and pricing histories.
Things
- People: Notebook manufacturers like Leuchtturm1917, Midori, Stalogy.
- Places: Regions such as Japan, Europe, Australia.
- Numbers: Sizes like 21.0 × 29.7 cm (A4).
- Things: Notebooks, paper standards like ISO and JIS.
- Concepts: Variations in size specifications, standard versus non-standard sizes.
<svg id="diagram" role="img" aria-label="Notebook sizes overlaid to scale with labelled callouts." viewBox="-4 -6 371.1 309.0"><rect x="0" y="0" width="210" height="297" fill="#6B4FA6" fill-opacity="0.13" stroke="#6B4FA6" stroke-width="1"><rect x="0" y="40" width="182" height="257" fill="#33417A" fill-opacity="0.13" stroke="#33417A" stroke-width="1"><rect x="0" y="47" width="176" height="250" fill="#1C8A80" fill-opacity="0.13" stroke="#1C8A80" stroke-width="1"><rect x="0" y="47" width="150" height="250" fill="#B5527A" fill-opacity="0.13" stroke="#B5527A" stroke-width="1"><rect x="0" y="87" width="148" height="210" fill="#2F6BB0" fill-opacity="0.13" stroke="#2F6BB0" stroke-width="1"><rect x="0" y="77" width="110" height="220" fill="#1591A8" fill-opacity="0.13" stroke="#1591A8" stroke-width="1"><rect x="0" y="115" width="128" height="182" fill="#8A3B6B" fill-opacity="0.13" stroke="#8A3B6B" stroke-width="1"><rect x="0" y="121" width="125" height="176" fill="#E08A1E" fill-opacity="0.13" stroke="#E08A1E" stroke-width="1"><rect x="0" y="94" width="102" height="203" fill="#566270" fill-opacity="0.13" stroke="#566270" stroke-width="1"><rect x="0" y="121" width="110" height="176" fill="#3F8F4F" fill-opacity="0.13" stroke="#3F8F4F" stroke-width="1"><rect x="0" y="117" width="100" height="180" fill="#7A6A2E" fill-opacity="0.13" stroke="#7A6A2E" stroke-width="1"><rect x="0" y="149" width="105" height="148" fill="#C43D3D" fill-opacity="0.13" stroke="#C43D3D" stroke-width="1"><rect x="0" y="157" width="89" height="140" fill="#9C5A2C" fill-opacity="0.13" stroke="#9C5A2C" stroke-width="1"><rect x="0" y="172" width="90" height="125" fill="#C89B2C" fill-opacity="0.13" stroke="#C89B2C" stroke-width="1"><rect x="0" y="243" width="85.6" height="54" rx="2.5" fill="#3B424E" fill-opacity="0.94" stroke="#20252E" stroke-width="0.7"><text x="42.8" y="271.9" text-anchor="middle" font-size="4.9" fill="#FFFFFF" font-weight="600" letter-spacing="0.3">CREDIT CARD · 85.6×54 <line x1="210" y1="0" x2="219" y2="2.8000000000000003" stroke="#6B4FA6" stroke-width="0.5" stroke-opacity="0.7"><circle cx="210" cy="0" r="1.2" fill="#6B4FA6"><text x="222" y="5.180000000000001" font-size="7"><tspan fill="#6B4FA6" font-weight="600">A4 · ISO <tspan fill="#5A6270">21.0 × 29.7 cm <line x1="182" y1="40" x2="219" y2="42.8" stroke="#33417A" stroke-width="0.5" stroke-opacity="0.7"><circle cx="182" cy="40" r="1.2" fill="#33417A"><text x="222" y="45.18" font-size="7"><tspan fill="#33417A" font-weight="600">B5 · JIS <tspan fill="#5A6270">18.2 × 25.7 cm <line x1="176" y1="47" x2="219" y2="56.099999999999994" stroke="#1C8A80" stroke-width="0.5" stroke-opacity="0.7"><circle cx="176" cy="47" r="1.2" fill="#1C8A80"><text x="222" y="58.48" font-size="7"><tspan fill="#1C8A80" font-weight="600">B5 · ISO <tspan fill="#5A6270">17.6 × 25.0 cm <line x1="150" y1="47" x2="219" y2="69.39999999999999" stroke="#B5527A" stroke-width="0.5" stroke-opacity="0.7"><circle cx="150" cy="47" r="1.2" fill="#B5527A"><text x="222" y="71.77999999999999" font-size="7"><tspan fill="#B5527A" font-weight="600">B5 Slim · approx <tspan fill="#5A6270">≈15.0 × 25.0 cm <line x1="110" y1="77" x2="219" y2="82.69999999999999" stroke="#1591A8" stroke-width="0.5" stroke-opacity="0.7"><circle cx="110" cy="77" r="1.2" fill="#1591A8"><text x="222" y="85.07999999999998" font-size="7"><tspan fill="#1591A8" font-weight="600">Traveler's · Regular <tspan fill="#5A6270">11.0 × 22.0 cm <line x1="148" y1="87" x2="219" y2="95.99999999999999" stroke="#2F6BB0" stroke-width="0.5" stroke-opacity="0.7"><circle cx="148" cy="87" r="1.2" fill="#2F6BB0"><text x="222" y="98.37999999999998" font-size="7"><tspan fill="#2F6BB0" font-weight="600">A5 · ISO <tspan fill="#5A6270">14.8 × 21.0 cm <line x1="102" y1="94" x2="219" y2="109.29999999999998" stroke="#566270" stroke-width="0.5" stroke-opacity="0.7"><circle cx="102" cy="94" r="1.2" fill="#566270"><text x="222" y="111.67999999999998" font-size="7"><tspan fill="#566270" font-weight="600">Reporter's · varies <tspan fill="#5A6270">≈10.2 × 20.3 cm <line x1="128" y1="115" x2="219" y2="122.59999999999998" stroke="#8A3B6B" stroke-width="0.5" stroke-opacity="0.7"><circle cx="128" cy="115" r="1.2" fill="#8A3B6B"><text x="222" y="124.97999999999998" font-size="7"><tspan fill="#8A3B6B" font-weight="600">B6 · JIS <tspan fill="#5A6270">12.8 × 18.2 cm <line x1="100" y1="117" x2="219" y2="135.89999999999998" stroke="#7A6A2E" stroke-width="0.5" stroke-opacity="0.7"><circle cx="100" cy="117" r="1.2" fill="#7A6A2E"><text x="222" y="138.27999999999997" font-size="7"><tspan fill="#7A6A2E" font-weight="600">B6 Slim · Stalogy <tspan fill="#5A6270">10.0 × 18.0 cm <line x1="125" y1="121" x2="219" y2="149.2" stroke="#E08A1E" stroke-width="0.5" stroke-opacity="0.7"><circle cx="125" cy="121" r="1.2" fill="#E08A1E"><text x="222" y="151.57999999999998" font-size="7"><tspan fill="#E08A1E" font-weight="600">B6 · ISO <tspan fill="#5A6270">12.5 × 17.6 cm <line x1="110" y1="121" x2="219" y2="162.5" stroke="#3F8F4F" stroke-width="0.5" stroke-opacity="0.7"><circle cx="110" cy="121" r="1.2" fill="#3F8F4F"><text x="222" y="164.88" font-size="7"><tspan fill="#3F8F4F" font-weight="600">B6 Slim · Midori <tspan fill="#5A6270">11.0 × 17.6 cm <line x1="105" y1="149" x2="219" y2="175.8" stroke="#C43D3D" stroke-width="0.5" stroke-opacity="0.7"><circle cx="105" cy="149" r="1.2" fill="#C43D3D"><text x="222" y="178.18" font-size="7"><tspan fill="#C43D3D" font-weight="600">A6 · ISO <tspan fill="#5A6270">10.5 × 14.8 cm <line x1="89" y1="157" x2="219" y2="189.10000000000002" stroke="#9C5A2C" stroke-width="0.5" stroke-opacity="0.7"><circle cx="89" cy="157" r="1.2" fill="#9C5A2C"><text x="222" y="191.48000000000002" font-size="7"><tspan fill="#9C5A2C" font-weight="600">Field Notes · memo <tspan fill="#5A6270">8.9 × 14.0 cm <line x1="90" y1="172" x2="219" y2="202.40000000000003" stroke="#C89B2C" stroke-width="0.5" stroke-opacity="0.7"><circle cx="90" cy="172" r="1.2" fill="#C89B2C"><text x="222" y="204.78000000000003" font-size="7"><tspan fill="#C89B2C" font-weight="600">Traveler's · Passport <tspan fill="#5A6270">9.0 × 12.5 cm
· auto-detected
Sizes & variants
A4
ISO · A-series
21.0 × 29.7 cm 210 × 297 mm office standard — identical worldwide
Full-page desk work — reports, drafting, art, spreads that photocopy 1:1.
Dot / grid picks · price via Camel 2 options
Leuchtturm1917A4+ · 225×315
Master (A4+) Hardcover, Dotted
paper 100 gsm pages 235 cover Hardcover dots 5 mm
Leuchtturm's Master is A4+ — larger than true A4 (210×297). True-A4 hardcover dot-grid is rare.
Leuchtturm1917A4+ · 225×315
Master Slim (A4+) Hardcover, Dotted
paper 100 gsm pages 123 cover Hardcover dots 5 mm
B5
JIS
18.2 × 25.7 cm 182 × 257 mm Japanese B5 — the classic school size
The Japanese standard B5, the most-produced notebook size in Japan.
Dot / grid picks · price via Camel 1 option
Leuchtturm1917B5 · 178×254
Composition (B5) Hardcover, Dotted
paper 80 gsm pages 219 cover Hardcover dots 5 mm
Slightly under true JIS B5, but the closest mainstream hardcover dot-grid.
B5
ISO
17.6 × 25.0 cm 176 × 250 mm European B5 (composition size)
Desk & study. Roomy for notes and sketching without going full A4.
Dot / grid picks · price via Camel 1 option
Leuchtturm1917B5 · 178×254
Composition (B5) Hardcover, Dotted
paper 80 gsm pages 219 cover Hardcover dots 5 mm
Leuchtturm's B5 sits between ISO (176×250) and JIS (182×257).
B5 Slim
approx · non-standard
≈15.0 × 25.0 cm ≈150 × 250 mm rare; width varies by maker
A narrowed B5 for one-handed note-taking. Uncommon — verify before buying refills.
Dot / grid picks · price via Camel 1 option
Even with softcover and grid allowed, B5 Slim barely exists as a product. Japanese “ Semi-B5 ” school notebooks (≈179×252, e.g. Kokuyo Campus) are the closest everyday option — full-width, not slim; the Leuchtturm Composition (B5) above is the closest dot-grid.
KokuyoSemi-B5 · 179×252
Campus Semi-B5 — Grid (closest substitute)
paper ~70 gsm cover Softcover ruling 5 mm grid
Traveler's
Regular · non-standard
11.0 × 22.0 cm 110 × 220 mm Midori TN — tall leather-cover format
Tall, slim carry for travel journaling; swap refills in a leather cover.
Dot / grid picks · price via Camel 2 options
A cover-based system, not a paper standard: a leather cover holds thin stitched refills you swap out. Grid and dot refills exist alongside blank / lined.
Traveler's CompanyRegular · 110×220
Regular Starter Kit (cover + blank refill)
paper MD thin cover Leather + insert ruling Blank
Traveler's CompanyRegular · 110×220
Regular Refill 002 — Grid
paper MD thin pages 64 cover Insert ruling 5 mm grid
A5
ISO · A-series
14.8 × 21.0 cm 148 × 210 mm the all-rounder — identical worldwide
Journals, planners, bullet journals. The most popular size globally.
Dot / grid picks · price via Camel 3 options
Leuchtturm1917A5 · 145×210
Medium (A5) Hardcover, Dotted
paper 80 gsm pages 251 cover Hardcover dots 5 mm
RhodiaA5 · 148×210
Goalbook A5 Hardcover, Dot
paper 90 gsm pages 224 cover Hardcover dots 5 mm
Leuchtturm1917A5 · 145×210
120G Special Edition A5, Dotted
paper 120 gsm pages 203 cover Hardcover dots 5 mm
Reporter's
varies · top-bound
≈10.2 × 20.3 cm ≈102 × 203 mm flip-top press pad; size varies by maker
Flip-top narrow pad for standing note-taking — journalism, site visits.
Dot / grid picks · price via Camel 2 options
“Reporter's” is a binding style, not a fixed size — dimensions vary a lot (≈100–130 wide × 195–230 tall). The box shows a common ≈4×8 in pad; the products below list their own real sizes.
Field NotesReporter · ~121×197
Front Page Reporter's Notebook — Graph
paper ~70 gsm cover Softcover bind Top ruling Graph
MoleskineReporter · 130×210
Reporter Notebook — Large, Ruled
paper ~70 gsm cover Hard/soft bind Top ruling Ruled
B6
JIS
12.8 × 18.2 cm 128 × 182 mm Japanese B6 (Kokuyo, Apica)
The Japanese standard B6 — slightly taller and wider than ISO.
Dot / grid picks · price via Camel 1 option
Leuchtturm1917B6+ · 125×190
Paperback (B6+) Hardcover, Dotted
paper 80 gsm pages 219 cover Hardcover dots 5 mm
No mainstream JIS-B6 hardcover dot-grid; the ISO-based B6+ is the closest pick.
B6 Slim
Stalogy · non-standard
10.0 × 18.0 cm 100 × 180 mm Stalogy 018 cut
Stalogy's narrower, taller take on B6 Slim.
Dot / grid picks · price via Camel 2 options
Softcover with a fine 5 mm grid on thin 52 gsm paper (same weight as Hobonichi's Tomoe River-style stock) — dated day/grid pages you can ignore or use.
StalogyB6 Slim · 100×180
018 Editor's Series ½-Year B6 Slim — Grid
paper 52 gsm pages ~192 cover Softcover ruling 5 mm grid
StalogyB6 Slim · 100×180
018 Editor's Series 1-Year B6 Slim — Grid
paper 52 gsm pages ~368 cover Softcover ruling 5 mm grid
B6
ISO
12.5 × 17.6 cm 125 × 176 mm European B6 (Rhodia, Leuchtturm)
Everyday carry with real writing room; slips into most bags.
Dot / grid picks · price via Camel 1 option
Leuchtturm1917B6+ · 125×190
Paperback (B6+) Hardcover, Dotted
paper 80 gsm pages 219 cover Hardcover dots 5 mm
The mainstream hardcover dot-grid nearest to B6 — but taller (the “+”).
B6 Slim
Midori · non-standard
11.0 × 17.6 cm 110 × 176 mm Midori / Nanami / Galen cut
Tall and pocketable — the fountain-pen journaller's favourite.
Dot / grid picks · price via Camel 2 options
B6 Slim is a softcover, staple-bound niche — no hardcover here, and rulings are grid / lined / blank rather than dotted. Midori's cream MD paper is the pick fountain-pen users reach for.
MidoriB6 Slim · ~105×175
MD Notebook B6 Slim — Grid
paper 80 gsm cover Softcover ruling 5 mm grid binding Thread
MidoriB6 Slim · ~105×175
MD Notebook Light B6 Slim (3-pack) — Grid
paper 80 gsm cover Softcover ruling 5 mm grid pack ×3
A6
ISO · A-series
10.5 × 14.8 cm 105 × 148 mm half of A5 — identical worldwide
Pocket capture. Grocery lists, quick notes, one-handed jotting.
Dot / grid picks · price via Camel 2 options
Leuchtturm1917LT “A6” · 90×150
Pocket (A6) Hardcover, Dotted
paper 80 gsm pages 187 cover Hardcover dots 5 mm
Dingbats+A6 · ~100×150
Wildlife A6 Hardcover, Dotted
paper 100 gsm pages ~192 cover Hardcover dots 5 mm
Field Notes
memo · US format
8.9 × 14.0 cm 89 × 140 mm US memo book / “pocket” size
Back-pocket carry — the classic 48-page memo book. Smaller than A6.
Dot / grid picks · price via Camel 1 option
A brand-defined format, not an ISO/JIS standard: softcover, staple-bound, 48 pages. Standard 3-packs are graph or ruled; dot-grid shows up in some quarterly editions.
Field NotesMemo · 89×140
Original Kraft 3-Pack — Graph
paper ~70 gsm pages 48 ea.cover Softcover ruling Graph
Body paper weight varies by edition; dot-grid is edition-dependent, so check the current release.
Traveler's
Passport · non-standard
9.0 × 12.5 cm 90 × 125 mm Midori TN — passport-sized cover format
Passport-sized carry — tickets, stamps and short notes on trips.
Dot / grid picks · price via Camel 2 options
The smaller Traveler's format — same leather-cover-plus-refill system as the Regular, near passport dimensions (close to B7).
Traveler's CompanyPassport · 90×125
Passport Starter Kit (cover + blank refill)
paper MD thin cover Leather + insert ruling Blank
Traveler's CompanyPassport · 90×125
Passport Refill 002 — Grid
paper MD thin cover Insert ruling 5 mm grid
JIS vs ISO B-sizes
The B-series exists in two standards. Japanese makers (Kokuyo, Midori, Apica) use JIS — a touch taller and narrower. European makers (Leuchtturm1917, Rhodia) use ISO. A-sizes (A4, A5, A6) are identical worldwide, so they get a single entry each.
On "Slim" sizes
Slim is not a formal standard — it's a maker's narrower cut. B6 Slim is well-established but differs by brand (Midori ≈110×176, Stalogy 100×180). B5 Slim is rare and its width drifts, so treat that figure as approximate.
Shopping links
Specs (brand, size, gsm, pages) are verified. Links use your detected region (change it above): Amazon for the live listing, price and star rating, and Camel for price history where that marketplace is supported (Camel covers the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan and Australia; the Camel link is hidden elsewhere).
Brand sizes ≠ pure ISO
Several products use a house size close to — but not exactly — the standard: Leuchtturm's Pocket runs 90×150 (under A6), its B6+ is 125×190 (taller than B6), its Composition is 178×254 (between ISO and JIS B5). Real dimensions are shown per product.
