A5 vs A6 Leather Journal: Size Chart in mm and Inches, Plus B5 and Traveler's Sizes
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A5 vs A6 Leather Journal: Size Chart in mm and Inches, Plus B5 and Traveler's Sizes

BygoneMark Editorial

Updated on Oct 17, 2026

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A5 paper measures 148 × 210 mm (5.83 × 8.27 in) and A6 measures 105 × 148 mm (4.13 × 5.83 in), so an A6 page is exactly half the area of an A5 page. Choose A5 for daily journaling, planning and longer entries; choose A6 for pocket notes, lists and travel. A leather cover makes either one larger.

Below is a full size chart in millimeters and inches that also covers A4, B5, B6, A7 and the traveler's notebook sizes (Regular, Personal, Passport and A5 width), followed by how each size feels in use and which BygoneMark journals come in each.

Key takeaways

5 key findings
  • A6 is half of A5: fold an A5 sheet in half across its long side and you get A6. That is the rule behind the whole ISO A series.
  • A5 is the everyday size: a full paragraph per page, room for diagrams, and it still fits most bags and totes.
  • A6 is the carry size: about postcard size, good for lists, reminders and quick notes.
  • Covers add 7 to 45 mm: leather, rings, straps and pen loops make the journal bigger than the paper inside. Check outside dimensions.
  • Traveler's notebook sizes are their own system: Regular, Personal and Passport inserts are narrower than A-series pages and do not swap with A5 or A6 refills.

A5 vs A6 at a glance

Question A5 A6
Sheet size 148 × 210 mm (5.83 × 8.27 in) 105 × 148 mm (4.13 × 5.83 in)
Page area Twice A6 Half of A5
Comparable to A paperback book or a sheet of letter paper folded in half A postcard
Best for Journaling, planning, study and meeting notes Lists, reminders, travel notes, pocket carry
Fits in Backpacks, totes, work bags Jacket pockets, small crossbody bags
Example leather cover A5 Writing Folio: 165 × 225 × 20 mm A6 Writing Folio: 120 × 165 × 20 mm

Journal size chart: A4, B5, A5, B6, A6, A7 and traveler's notebooks

ISO 216 defines the A and B series. Each A size is half the area of the one above it, and B sizes fall between them. Traveler's notebook sizes are not ISO sizes; they are insert formats, so the figures below use BygoneMark's stated insert sizes.

A5 Leather Writing Folio, BygoneMark product photo
A5 Leather Writing Folio.
Size Millimeters Inches Typical journal use
A4 210 × 297 8.27 × 11.69 Desk binders, project files, a large A4 leather journal
B5 (ISO) 176 × 250 6.93 × 9.84 Work notes, study, a roomy everyday journal
B5 (JIS, Japan) 182 × 257 7.17 × 10.12 Some Japanese notebooks; check which B5 a refill uses
A5 148 × 210 5.83 × 8.27 The most common journal and planner size
B6 125 × 176 4.92 × 6.93 A compact journal between A5 and A6
A6 105 × 148 4.13 × 5.83 Pocket notebooks and small planners
A7 74 × 105 2.91 × 4.13 Mini lists, shopping notes, keyring-size binders
Traveler's notebook, A5 width 210 × 140 insert 8.27 × 5.51 A wrap cover with near-A5 inserts
Traveler's notebook, Regular 210 × 110 insert 8.27 × 4.33 Tall, narrow everyday notebook
Traveler's notebook, Personal 165 × 95 insert 6.50 × 3.74 Close to A6 in area, but taller and narrower
Traveler's notebook, Passport 125 × 90 insert 4.92 × 3.54 Pocket travel journal

Two things often surprise buyers. First, there are two B5 sizes: ISO B5 (176 × 250 mm) and the slightly larger Japanese JIS B5 (182 × 257 mm). BygoneMark's B5 folio takes a 250 × 176 mm insert, which is the ISO size. Second, a size name on a journal is a model name, not always the exact sheet size. The Legacy Loop A5 ring binder's sheets measure about 210 × 142 mm and the Legacy Loop A6's about 171 × 95 mm, both narrower than ISO pages. Always match refills to an existing sheet.

Read next 15 Leather Anniversary Gifts by Lifestyle: For Readers, Travelers and Collectors

How much bigger is A5 than A6?

A5 has twice the writing area of A6: 31,080 mm² against 15,540 mm². In practice, A5 gives a line roughly 40 percent longer (148 mm wide versus 105 mm), and about 40 percent more lines per page (210 mm tall versus 148 mm). That is the difference between writing a paragraph per page and writing a short list per page.

The traveler's notebook sizes sit in between. A Regular insert (210 × 110 mm) has about three quarters of the area of A5, with the same height but a much shorter line. A Personal insert (165 × 95 mm) has almost exactly the area of A6, while a Passport insert (125 × 90 mm) is a little under three quarters of A6.

When to choose an A5 leather journal

Choose A5 if you write more than a few lines at a time. It suits morning pages, gratitude journals, meeting notes, class notes and weekly planner spreads, and it leaves room for headings, tables and sketches on one page. Larger handwriting is far more comfortable on A5.

The trade-off is carry. An A5 leather journal usually measures between about 220 and 230 mm tall, which fits a backpack, laptop bag or tote, but not a coat pocket. If your journal lives on a desk or in a work bag, A5 is the safer default, and it has the widest choice of refills.

When to choose an A6 leather journal

Choose A6 if you want the journal with you all the time. It works well for to-do lists, addresses, quick ideas, field notes and travel logs, and its smaller page encourages short entries. Many people use an A6 as a companion to a larger A5 at home.

A6 Leather Writing Folio, BygoneMark product photo
A6 Leather Writing Folio.

A6 is not automatically pocket-sized once it has a leather cover. The A6 Leather Writing Folio is 120 × 165 × 20 mm, and the Legacy Loop A6 ring binder is about 190 × 125 mm, which fits a jacket pocket or small bag but is snug in jeans. If true pocket carry matters, compare a Passport-size traveler's notebook at 135 × 105 × 10 mm.

A5 vs A6 by use: a decision table

Your main use Better size Why
Daily journaling, morning pages A5 Full paragraphs without constant page turns
Bullet journal or weekly planner A5 Room for a week on one or two pages
Work meetings, study notes A5 or B5 Space for headings, tables and action items
To-do lists and reminders A6 Fast to open, easy to carry
Travel journal A6 or Passport Fits a day bag or travel pouch
Sketching A5 or larger Small pages limit composition
Gift for an unknown writer A5 The most common size, with the most refill choices

A simple test helps: fold a sheet of A4 or US Letter in half for an A5-ish page, and in half again for A6. Write a typical entry on each and see which one you would actually fill.

Size does not tell you how refills work

An A5 folio that holds a bound notebook, an A5 six-ring binder and an A5 traveler's notebook all use different refills. Matching the size label is only the first check. Compare the sheet or notebook dimensions, the hole positions for ring binders, and the thickness the cover can hold. Our guide to leather journal binding types explains the systems, and refillable vs bound journals covers when refills make sense.

Paper matters at both sizes. A small page shows ink problems less, but feathering and bleed-through still depend on the paper's sizing and your pen. See the best paper for leather journals for GSM and layout advice.

Storing finished notebooks

Whichever size you choose, finished notebooks and ring sheets last longest stored flat or upright in a cool, dry place. The Library of Congress notes that good-quality paper kept at cooler temperatures and 30 to 40 percent relative humidity can last a long time. A5 sheets fit standard A5 archive binders and boxes; odd-size inserts may need a box you size yourself.

Legacy Loop A6 Leather Ring-Binder Journal, BygoneMark product photo
Legacy Loop A6 Leather Ring-Binder Journal.

A5, A6 and B5 journals to compare

These BygoneMark journals let you compare the sizes directly. All specs come from the product pages.

1. A5 Leather Writing Folio

BygoneMark · Best A5 for daily writing

Leather Journal

A5 Leather Writing Folio

5.0 · 4 reviews

“Bought this for my daily planning, and it has quickly become part of my routine.”

Arthura · Verified buyer

From $59

Shop now

Holds one true A5 notebook (148 × 210 mm), so you can also use notebooks you already own. Comes folio only or with an 88-sheet lined, blank or grid notebook. From $59.

Detail What the product page states
Notebook size 148 × 210 mm (5.83 × 8.27 in)
Folio size 165 × 225 × 20 mm (6.50 × 8.86 × 0.79 in)
Paper 88 sheets; lined, blank or grid
Extras Sleeves, pockets, pen loop

Skip it if: you need to remove single sheets; the notebook is bound.

2. A6 Leather Writing Folio

BygoneMark · Best A6 for everyday carry

Leather Journal

A6 Leather Writing Folio

Compact A6 leather writing folio for one replaceable notebook. Choose the folio alone or add an 88-sheet lined, blank, or grid notebook.

From $49

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The A6 version of the same folio, for one 105 × 148 mm notebook. Same colors and paper options, in a cover 60 mm shorter and 45 mm narrower. From $49.

Detail What the product page states
Notebook size 105 × 148 mm (4.13 × 5.83 in)
Folio size 120 × 165 × 20 mm (4.72 × 6.50 × 0.79 in)
Paper 88 sheets; lined, blank or grid, or folio only
Colors Black, Cognac, Crimson, Espresso

Skip it if: you write long entries or sketch; the page fills fast.

3. Legacy Loop A6 Leather Ring-Binder Journal

BygoneMark · Best small refillable ring binder

A compact six-ring binder for lists and plans you reorder often. Ships with 96 sheets in your choice of five paper styles. From $59.

Detail What the product page states
Cover size About 190 × 125 mm (7.48 × 4.92 in)
Sheet size About 171 × 95 mm (6.73 × 3.74 in)
Paper 96 sheets; lined white, blank white, blank kraft, dot grid or grid
Leather and closure Top-grain cowhide; wrap cord with leather tab

Skip it if: you want to use standard ISO A6 refills; the sheet is taller and narrower than A6.

4. Legacy Loop A5 Leather Ring-Binder Journal

BygoneMark · Best A5 ring binder for planners

The A5 version of Legacy Loop, with a plain hand-stitched cowhide cover, six rings and 96 sheets. From $79.

Detail What the product page states
Cover size About 230 × 175 mm (9.06 × 6.89 in)
Sheet size About 210 × 142 mm (8.27 × 5.59 in)
Paper 96 sheets in two packs; five paper styles
Included Card-pocket insert and zipped storage pouch

Skip it if: you want something for a jacket pocket.

5. Personalized B5 Leather Writing Folio

BygoneMark · Best if A5 feels too small

A B5 folio for people who outgrow A5 at work or school. The 88-sheet bound notebook slides out and is replaced with a 250 × 176 mm insert. From $98.90.

Detail What the product page states
Insert size 250 × 176 mm (9.84 × 6.93 in)
Cover size 263 × 185 × 20 mm (10.35 × 7.28 × 0.79 in)
Paper 88 sheets, blank or lined; ribbon marker
Storage Two card slots, pen loop

Skip it if: portability matters more than page space.

6. Journey Wrap Passport-Size Leather Traveler's Notebook

BygoneMark · Best true pocket size

Smaller than any A6 cover here, with three 100 gsm inserts (blank, lined and grid). The same cover also comes in Personal, Regular and A5 sizes. From $29.

Detail What the product page states
Insert size 125 × 90 mm (4.92 × 3.54 in)
Loaded cover 135 × 105 × 10 mm (5.31 × 4.13 × 0.39 in)
Paper 100 gsm; 32 sheets per notebook, 96 total
Leather Full-grain crazy horse, hand-stitched

Skip it if: you need a full-width page for writing; the insert is narrow.

Still deciding between binding types and features? Our leather journal buying guide has a decision table by use.

Once you know your size, compare covers and page systems in our A5 and A6 leather journals collection.

FAQ

Is A5 or A6 better for journaling?

A5 is better for most journaling because it fits a full paragraph per page and leaves room for headings and sketches. A6 is better if you mostly write short notes and want the journal with you all day.

What size is an A5 journal in inches?

An A5 page is 5.83 × 8.27 inches (148 × 210 mm). A leather A5 journal is larger outside; BygoneMark's A5 covers range from about 6.1 × 8.7 in to 6.9 × 9.1 in.

What size is an A6 journal in inches?

An A6 page is 4.13 × 5.83 inches (105 × 148 mm), about the size of a postcard. With a leather cover, expect roughly 4.7 × 6.5 inches or more.

Is B5 bigger than A5?

Yes. ISO B5 is 176 × 250 mm (6.93 × 9.84 in), about 42 percent more area than A5. Japanese JIS B5 is slightly larger again at 182 × 257 mm.

Is a Personal-size traveler's notebook the same as A6?

No. A Personal insert (165 × 95 mm here) has about the same area as A6, but it is taller and narrower, so A6 refills will not fit a Personal cover.

Is A6 the same as passport size?

No. Passport-size traveler's notebook inserts are smaller than A6; BygoneMark's measure 125 × 90 mm against A6 at 105 × 148 mm.

Will A5 refills fit any A5 leather journal?

Not always. Ring binders need matching hole positions and sheet size, and traveler's notebook "A5" inserts can be narrower than an A5 sheet. Measure a page from your journal first.

Sources

Sources and references

  1. [1]University of Cambridge (Markus Kuhn): A4 paper format and international standard paper sizes (ISO 216, JIS B)
  2. [2]University of Cambridge: A and B series paper sizes in mm and inches
  3. [3]Architectural Association School of Architecture Print Centre: Paper sizes
  4. [4]Library of Congress: The Deterioration and Preservation of Paper, Some Essential Facts

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Further reading

buying-guide · Oct 2026 10 Best Refillable Journals for Travel: Covers, Inserts and Closures ComparedCompare the best refillable journal for travel: 10 leather covers by refill system, insert size, closure and price, from passport size to B5 and rings. how-to · Oct 2026 Leather Accessories Care Guide: 7 Steps to Clean Wallets, Journals and Watch RollsA leather accessories care guide: 7 steps to clean wallets, journals and watch rolls, when to condition, which oils to skip and how to store leather. anniversary-gifts · Oct 2026 10 Leather Anniversary Gifts for Her: Personalized Ideas for Your Third YearLeather anniversary gifts for her for year three: 10 personalized ideas, from journals and bags to travel pieces and trays, with engraving and timing tips.