When to Choose A4 Over A5 for Your Book Project
Choosing the right size for a book isn’t just about how it looks. It plays a big part in how the content is received, how easy the book is to handle, and how it fits into the hands of readers. Whether you’re gearing up to self-publish a guide, workbook, short story collection or even a set of illustrations, the size of your pages can shape the entire reading experience.
The most common choices are A4 and A5. Both have their strengths. A4 is the larger one, often used when more space is needed on the page. A5 feels more compact, making it popular for things like storybooks and journals. So how do you decide which format is best for your project? Let’s break it down so you can make a smart choice that suits your content and your reader.
Differences Between A4 and A5 Sizes
Before getting into which size is better, it helps to understand what they actually are. A4 measures 210mm x 297mm. It’s the standard size you see for office print-outs or workbooks. A5, on the other hand, is 148mm x 210mm, basically half the size of A4. That alone changes a lot. Smaller pages make the book feel neater and more portable. Bigger pages leave more room for writing or visual impact.
Here’s a quick way to look at the differences:
- A4
- Larger format
- More space for text and images
- Easier to use if people will be writing in the book
- Often used for educational resources or manuals
- A5
- Compact and lightweight
- Easier to carry around
- Creates a more intimate reading feel
- Common for fiction and personal journals
People tend to pick A5 when they're aiming for a more traditional book feel or something lighter to hold. A4, on the other hand, is often chosen when the layout matters more, such as when diagrams, worksheets or multi-column pages are involved.
Think of it this way. If you’re printing a workbook with lots of space for filling in answers, A4 makes sense. But for a short story collection you want readers to take on the go, A5 likely works better. The format guides how the book feels in use. Bigger isn't always better, but smaller doesn’t suit everything either.
When A4 Is The Better Choice
Not every book works in a tight, compact space. That’s where A4 printing steps in. The larger surface gives much more room to work with, which is ideal for certain types of content. If your project includes full-page illustrations, diagrams or any kind of detailed layout, going with A4 can make a real difference.
Consider these situations where A4 might be a smarter pick:
- Workbooks or academic resources where users need to write or solve problems
- Instructional books with step-by-step visuals
- Art-heavy content that fills the page or needs room to breathe
- Manuals meant to be laid flat and used hands-on
The extra size not only lets you show off visuals better, but it helps structure complex page layouts that would feel squeezed in a smaller format. For something like a training guide or architectural reference book, clarity matters more than compactness.
Since A4 pages are wider and taller, they are also easier to format into columns. This is helpful when your project needs to break up content in a more structured way. Line spacing and font sizing can be more generous too, which can help with readability.
That said, it's not just about how it looks. A4 can also give a feeling that's more formal or serious, and that could match the tone you’re aiming for. So if your focus is clarity, layout control or extra writing space, A4 deserves strong consideration.
When A5 Works Best
If you're working on a project that’s more about storytelling and less about structure-heavy layout, A5 is worth a good look. It's sleek, easy to hold and works well for books people want to carry around. Whether it’s fiction, a memoir or even a compact guide, A5 gives the kind of reading experience that feels personal and familiar.
Here are a few examples of where A5 shines:
- Novels and short story collections where the focus is on uninterrupted reading
- Journals, poetry books and anthologies with a softer, more intimate tone
- Travel guides or handbooks people might want to toss in a bag
- Booklets meant to be handed out at events or workshops
Smaller pages can also encourage more focused reading. There's less distraction on the page since the content fills it faster. That visual density helps keep the reader engaged, especially with stories or reflective material. A5 is often the go-to for fiction partly because it feels more like a traditional book size. It’s inviting but not overwhelming, especially for someone reading on the move or in short bursts.
Another factor is cost. A5 generally uses less paper and ink, which can influence your overall printing budget. It’s also more compact when it comes to packaging, shipping or storage, which makes a big difference for authors selling direct or managing limited stock at home.
One author we worked with printed a collection of short personal essays in A5. She wanted to deliver something that felt close and almost pocketable, something readers could finish in one sitting. The smaller pages added a sense of rhythm to the reading and gave each section a slight pause before the next. For the tone of her writing, that smaller format made a big impact.
Factors That Will Help You Decide
Choosing between A4 and A5 isn’t just about preferences. It’s also about how your book will actually be used. When you match your format with your intent, everything tends to fall into place.
Ask yourself a few key questions before settling on a size:
1. Who is the book for? Think about age, comfort and how they’ll be holding or using it.
2. Will your content benefit from extra space? Visual materials, exercises or charts might need A4.
3. Is portability important? If your readers are likely to be on the move, A5 is much easier to manage.
4. Is the tone meant to be formal or casual? A4 leans more official, whereas A5 gives off a more relaxed vibe.
5. What about budget and storage? Smaller books often cost less to print and store.
6. How do you want the pages to look? Denser layouts lean toward A5, while more open spacing may suit A4 better.
A4 gives you room to stretch and breathe if clarity and space are top priorities. A5 helps you focus and tighten everything, perfect for telling stories or delivering content with flow. One isn’t better than the other across the board. It just depends on your goal.
Let Your Content Guide the Size
At the end of the day, your content should guide your format. If your work is visual, detailed or instructional, A4 gives you the space you need to do it justice. If your words are the star of the show and you want something that feels more like a traditional book, A5 is likely the better fit.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. You don’t need to copy what someone else did or follow a trend if it doesn’t serve the type of book you’re creating. Just think through how the book will be read, where it will be used and how much space your content truly needs.
Choosing the right size now can save you challenges later, especially when it comes to layout, readability and first impressions. Whether you're teaching, documenting, storytelling or creating art, there’s a format that will bring your project to life in the best way possible. Let your ideas decide the size that fits.
To bring your project to life with a professional look and feel, consider choosing A4 booklet printing through Spine Book Printing. Whether you're putting together a detailed manual or showcasing bold illustrations, using the right format helps your content stand out and feel complete.
