Architectural Paper Sizes: ARCH, ANSI and ISO Charts for Plans and Blueprints

Every set of construction documents starts with a decision that is easy to overlook: what size sheet? The answer affects legibility, plotter requirements, printing cost, folding and storage. Choosing the wrong size, or mixing systems on one project, causes scaling errors and frustrated field crews.

This guide gives you complete charts of architectural paper sizes (ARCH, ANSI and ISO), explains when to use each, and covers the practical questions most size charts skip: printing half-size sets at the right scale, choosing a plotter, setting up sheets in CAD and BIM, and selecting the right paper.

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Architectural paper sizes at a glance

Three sheet-size systems show up on AEC projects in North America. Architects mostly use ARCH sizes, engineers and manufacturers often use ANSI sizes, and international teams use ISO A sizes.

ARCH series chart

ANSI series chart

ISO A series chart

The international A series is defined by ISO 216. Each size is half the one before it, and every sheet keeps the same proportions.

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ARCH sizes explained

ARCH A, B and C

The smaller ARCH sizes are mostly used for sketches, details and reduced sets. ARCH B (12 × 18) is the natural half-size of ARCH D, which makes it a popular size for review sets and field copies. ARCH C (18 × 24) works for small residential projects and is the half-size of ARCH E.

ARCH D (24 × 36)

ARCH D is the workhorse of US architecture. Most commercial and residential construction sets are drawn on 24 × 36 sheets because they are large enough to show a floor plan at a readable scale, small enough to handle on a jobsite table, and printable on a 24-inch plotter. If you hear someone ask for a "full-size set" or "24 by 36," this is the size they mean.

ARCH E and E1

ARCH E1 (30 × 42) is common on larger commercial, institutional and civil projects where a 24 × 36 sheet would force too many match lines. ARCH E (36 × 48) is used for very large plans, site plans and presentation boards. Both require a 36-inch or wider plotter.

ARCH E2 and E3

ARCH E2 (26 × 38) and E3 (27 × 39) exist in the standard but are uncommon. Before you set up a project on either size, confirm that your printer, your reprographics provider and your client can all handle it.

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ARCH vs ANSI: what's the difference?

Aspect ratios

ARCH sizes use a 4:3 ratio for A and C and a 3:2 ratio for B, D and E. ANSI sizes alternate between roughly 1.29:1 and 1.55:1, because each ANSI sheet is the previous one doubled. In practice, that means an ANSI D drawing (22 × 34) does not scale cleanly onto ARCH D (24 × 36) paper. You end up with uneven margins or a slightly reduced scale.

Which industries use which

• ARCH: architects, interior designers and most building construction sets.
• ANSI: mechanical, electrical, civil and manufacturing engineers, and many government and utility standards. ANSI B (11 × 17) is also the default half-size sheet in most offices because tabloid printers are everywhere.
• ISO A: international projects, European manufacturers and multinational design teams.

On multidisciplinary projects, agree on one system in the project standards before drawing production starts.

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Common blueprint sizes and when to use them

Full-size construction sets

Full-size sets are the contract drawings used for permits, bidding and construction. ARCH D (24 × 36) is standard for most building work, with ARCH E1 (30 × 42) or ANSI E (34 × 44) on larger projects. Many building departments specify minimum and maximum sheet sizes for permit submissions, so check local requirements before you start.

Half-size and review sets

Half-size sets (12 × 18 from ARCH D, or 11 × 17 from ANSI D) are cheaper to print, easier to carry and ideal for design reviews, coordination meetings and field reference. They are not meant to be measured with a scale ruler unless the set is clearly labeled with the reduced scale.

Presentation boards

Renderings, site plans and marketing boards are often printed on ARCH E (36 × 48) or custom sizes on coated or photo media, sometimes mounted on foam board. These pieces are about visual impact, so color accuracy and media choice matter more than standard sizes.

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Printing at scale: half-size sets

When you print a drawing at 50%, every dimension on the sheet shrinks by half, and so does the drawing scale. A floor plan drawn at 1/4" = 1'-0" on a 24 × 36 sheet becomes 1/8" = 1'-0" on a 12 × 18 sheet.

Scaling 24 × 36 to 12 × 18

Because ARCH B is exactly half of ARCH D, a 24 × 36 sheet prints at exactly 50% with no distortion or margin changes. This is the cleanest half-size workflow and one reason ARCH D is so popular.

Scaling 22 × 34 to 11 × 17

ANSI D to ANSI B also reduces exactly 50%. Problems start when you print an ARCH D sheet on 11 × 17 paper. The proportions do not match, so the drawing is reduced to fit, usually to about 46%, and the stated scale is no longer accurate.

Keeping scale bars accurate

• Include a graphic scale bar on every scaled view. It shrinks with the drawing and stays correct at any print size.
• Print with "actual size" or a fixed percentage, never "fit to page," when scale matters.
• Label reduced sets clearly, for example "HALF-SIZE SET: SCALES SHOWN ARE 50% OF NOTED."
• Verify the first sheet of every print job with a scale ruler before printing the rest.

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Choosing a plotter for your sheet sizes

24, 36 and 44-inch printers

A plotter's maximum media width decides which sheets it can print:

Most AEC offices choose a 36-inch model so they can print every standard construction sheet. Explore NAPCO's range of HP large format printers, or read our guide to the best HP plotter for construction companies to match a model to your volume.

Roll vs sheet feeding

Roll-fed plotters print a sheet and cut it automatically, which is efficient for multi-page sets. Many models hold two rolls, so you can load bond on one roll and a different width or media on the other. Sheet feeding is useful for pre-cut specialty media or occasional jobs. If you print large sets regularly, look for dual rolls, a stacker and fast first-page-out times.

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Setting up sheet sizes in CAD and BIM

AutoCAD page setups

Create a named page setup for each sheet size your office uses, with the correct paper size, plot area set to layout, scale 1:1 and the right plot style table. Most PDF and plotter drivers include ARCH and ANSI sizes. Save the page setups in your drawing template so every project starts consistently.

Revit title blocks

In Revit, the title block family defines the sheet size. Build one title block per size and keep borders, logo placement and revision blocks consistent. When you print or export, set the paper size to match the title block and use "zoom 100%" rather than "fit to page."

PDF export settings

• Export at the true sheet size, so a 24 × 36 sheet becomes a 24 × 36 PDF page.
• Use vector output and embed fonts for sharp lines and searchable text.
• Combine sheets into one bookmarked PDF in sheet order for printing and sharing.

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Paper and media for each sheet size

Bond

Plain bond paper is the standard for working drawings, check sets and field copies. It is inexpensive, prints fast and handles CAD linework well. Heavier bond holds up better on the jobsite.

Vellum and film

Translucent vellum and polyester film are used for originals that must last, be overlaid or be reproduced. Film is tear resistant and dimensionally stable, which makes it a good choice for archival sets and drawings that will be handled heavily.

Photo and presentation media

Coated, satin and photo papers produce saturated color for renderings, boards and marketing pieces. Use them with a printer designed for graphics, and choose matte finishes when boards will be viewed under bright lights.

For a deeper look at substrates, read our guide to materials and media for large format printers, or shop rolls by size on NAPCO Supplies.

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Folding, binding and storing large drawings

Folding standards

Large sheets are typically accordion-folded down to letter size (8.5 × 11) so they fit in standard files and envelopes, with the title block facing out in the lower-right corner. Folding keeps sheet numbers visible without unfolding the drawing. For permit or bid submissions, follow any folding instructions in the requirements.

Plan racks and flat files

For drawings you will use again, avoid folding. Store active sets on hanging plan racks with clamp binders, archive originals flat in flat-file drawers, and use tubes only for short-term transport, since rolled drawings curl and resist lying flat on a table. Digitizing older sets protects them from fading and damage; NAPCO's document scanning service handles architectural D and E sizes.

If you would rather not print large sets in-house, NAPCO also prints plan sets and construction drawings across New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

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Frequently asked questions

What size is ARCH D paper?

ARCH D is 24 × 36 inches (610 × 914 mm). It is the most common full-size sheet for US construction drawings.

What size is ARCH E?

ARCH E is 36 × 48 inches (914 × 1219 mm). ARCH E1, a related and more common size for large commercial sets, is 30 × 42 inches.

What is the standard blueprint size?

For most building projects, the standard full-size blueprint is 24 × 36 inches (ARCH D). Larger projects often use 30 × 42 inches, and engineering drawings commonly use 22 × 34 inches (ANSI D).

Is ARCH C or ARCH D bigger?

ARCH D is bigger. ARCH C is 18 × 24 inches, while ARCH D is 24 × 36 inches.

What is the half-size of a 24 × 36 drawing?

Half-size of 24 × 36 is 12 × 18 inches (ARCH B). Printing at 50% also halves the drawing scale, so 1/4" = 1'-0" becomes 1/8" = 1'-0".

What size plotter do I need to print 24 × 36 drawings?

A 24-inch plotter can print 24 × 36 sheets. If you also print ARCH E1 (30 × 42), ARCH E (36 × 48) or ANSI E (34 × 44), you need a 36-inch printer.