Unraveling the Confusion
Publication Date: 5/16/2026
Last update: 5/16/2026
To begin, it is important to highlight that both sizes, Ledger and Tabloid, belong to the United States paper size standard (ANSI), being variations of the ANSI B format. While the rest of the world predominantly uses the international ISO standard (such as A4 and A3), these American formats are widely found in design software and imported printer settings.
If you have ever opened a printer's settings or purchased a special paper package, you have probably come across the terms Ledger and Tabloid. At first glance, they seem to be the same thing, but there is an important nuance that separates these two names.
Short Answer: Yes and No
In terms of physical dimensions, yes, they are identical. Both measure 11 x 17 inches (or 279.40 x 431.80 mm, which are usually rounded to 279 x 432 mm). In other words, they do share the same size.
The difference lies exclusively in the paper orientation:
- Tabloid: This is the name used when the paper is in Portrait orientation (Vertical). It is the classic format of compact newspapers and newsletters.
- Ledger: This is the name used when the paper is in Landscape orientation (Horizontal). It is the favorite for accounting spreadsheets and technical diagrams.
Comparison Table: Ledger vs. Tabloid
| Tabloid | Ledger | |
| Dimensions |
11" x 17" |
17" x 11" (432 x 279 mm) |
| Orientation |
Vertical (Portrait) |
Horizontal (Landscape) |
| Common Use |
Newspapers, Newsletters, Posters |
Spreadsheets, Maps, CAD Drawings |
| Standard |
ANSI B |
ANSI B |
Why are there two names for the same size?
The distinction is historical and functional. The term Ledger comes from accounting. In the past, accountants needed wide sheets to record entries and exits in extensive columns, hence the preference for the horizontal format.
Tabloid, on the other hand, became popular in the newspaper industry as a smaller and easier-to-read alternative to the giant "Broadsheet" newspapers. Since newspapers are read vertically, the name became associated with that orientation.
When to use each one?
If you are setting up a file in Adobe Illustrator or Microsoft Word:
- Choose Tabloid if you are creating a poster, a restaurant menu, or an independent magazine.
- Choose Ledger if you are exporting a complex financial chart or a project schedule (Gantt) that requires a lot of horizontal space.
In most countries, the most common standard is ISO (A4, A3, etc.). The Ledger/Tabloid pair is roughly equivalent to double a Letter sheet, just as A3 is double the size of A4.
What to do if your printer shows only one of the formats?
It is very common to open the print window and notice that the software lists only "Tabloid" or only "Ledger" in the size options. If that happens, don't worry! As we have seen, the physical sheet is strictly the same.
If you want to print in the format that does not appear in the list, simply select the available name (for example, Tabloid) and, just below in the settings of the system or program itself (such as Word or Acrobat), change the Page Orientation to Portrait or Landscape. The system will adjust the layout perfectly and your printer will recognize the paper without any compatibility error.
Conclusion
Although you can use the terms interchangeably in informal conversations, knowing the difference helps avoid configuration errors when printing. Next time someone asks, you already know: it's the same paper, just rotated 90 degrees!
Visit the specifications page to find printers compatible with these formats.