Quick answer: B0 measures 1000 × 1414 mm, equivalent to 100 × 141.4 cm or approximately 39.37 × 55.67 inches. It is an ISO B-series format with the 1:√2 aspect ratio.
Measurement note: dimensions are stated width × height in portrait orientation. Turn the sheet through 90 degrees for landscape use. Millimetres are the controlling values for ISO sizes; inch figures are rounded conversions.
B0 dimensions
| Unit | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 1000 mm | 1414 mm |
| Centimetres | 100 cm | 141.4 cm |
| Inches | 39.37 in | 55.67 in |
| Area | 1,414,000 mm² | 1.4140 m² |
Common uses for B0
B0 offers an intermediate format that can be more economical or visually balanced than moving directly between neighbouring A sizes. It is used for:
- Large exhibition posters
- Maps and wall graphics
- Production sheets and oversized artwork
Relationship to other sizes
Two B1 sheets have the nominal area of one B0 sheet. B0 sits between A0 and A1 in overall linear dimensions, although the exact comparison varies by side. For the full sequence, see the B-series chart.
File setup and bleed
Set the final trim to 1000 × 1414 mm. With 3 mm bleed on every edge, create artwork at 1006 × 1420 mm. Keep critical text and logos inside a safe margin; large-format trimming and mounting may justify more than the minimum.
Viewing distance and resolution
Large output is usually viewed from farther away than a book or leaflet. A file does not always need the same pixels-per-inch as a close-viewed photographic print, but effective resolution should be agreed with the printer. Vector text and logos remain crisp at any output size; raster images must contain enough real detail and should not be enlarged far beyond their native resolution.
Paper, mounting and handling
A large loose sheet can buckle, crease or curl even when the paper is heavy. For exhibition use, consider mounting to board, using a tensioned display system, laminating where appropriate or selecting a rigid printable substrate. Fire, weather and indoor-air requirements can also affect material choice in public venues.
Frequently asked questions
Is B0 larger than A1?
Yes. B0 is larger than A1 and smaller than A0 in the normal ISO sequence.
Can an A-series design be printed on B0?
Yes, but the aspect ratio may be the same while the scale differs. Scale proportionally and decide whether to leave margins or enlarge to fill the sheet. Check type size and image quality after scaling.
Do office printers support B0?
Support is model-dependent. B2 and larger generally require wide-format equipment. Always check the printer’s maximum sheet dimensions and supported media weight.
Resolution and scale: a practical calculation
For B0 Paper Size, effective resolution is the image’s pixel dimension divided by its printed dimension in inches. A 3600-pixel-wide image printed 12 inches wide has 300 pixels per inch. The same image printed 36 inches wide has 100 pixels per inch. That may still be acceptable for a display viewed from several metres away, but it is not equivalent to a close-viewed photographic print.
Inspect every image used in B0 Paper Size at its final effective scale and ask the printer what resolution is appropriate for the process and viewing distance. Sharpening cannot recreate detail that was never captured. Logos, diagrams and text should remain vector wherever possible.
Installation and environmental checks
For B0 Paper Size, confirm the visible aperture of frames and display systems, not only the nominal sheet. Sunlight, humidity, rain, adhesives, fire requirements and repeated handling can change the suitable substrate. A beautiful paper print may be the wrong choice for an outdoor board or a frequently cleaned public display. Test mounting materials on a sample so adhesive does not stain, bubble or distort the sheet.
How to specify the size without ambiguity
For B0 Paper Size, a reliable print specification states more than the familiar format name. Give the finished width and height, measurement unit, orientation, number of pages or panels, paper weight, surface, colour process, bleed, finishing and quantity. This prevents regional names and printer defaults from silently changing this particular job.
- Finished size: write width × height and identify portrait or landscape.
- Artwork size: distinguish the trimmed page from any larger bleed canvas or parent sheet.
- Stock: specify grammage or basis weight, coating, colour and recycled or certified requirements.
- Finishing: state folds, scoring, binding, drilling, corner rounding, lamination or mounting.
- Tolerance: ask the supplier what cutting, folding and registration variation should be expected.
When ordering B0 Paper Size, a short name alone leaves important decisions unstated. A specification such as “finished size as stated above; portrait; 3 mm bleed; 170 gsm uncoated white stock; full colour both sides; scored where shown” is harder to misinterpret. When the format has regional variants, include the governing standard or exact dimensions every time.
Make a full-size physical proof
Screens do not communicate the physical scale of B0 Paper Size reliably. Before a large order, print a representative page at 100%, trim it to the stated size and use it as the finished item will be used. Measure one horizontal and one vertical feature with a ruler. Fold it, place it in its envelope or holder where relevant, view it from the intended distance and ask someone unfamiliar with the design to find the main information.
A proof of B0 Paper Size should check more than spelling. Look for text that is technically present but difficult to read, lines that sit too close to the trim, images whose important details enter a fold or binding area, barcodes or QR codes that do not scan, and stocks that crack or show through. For colour-critical work, a calibrated contract proof or press proof is more informative than an office print.
Sources and standards
The measurements and production guidance in this guide were checked against the following standards bodies, postal operators and print-platform specifications. Standards can be revised or withdrawn, so check the linked record when a contractual or regulated specification matters.