Best Notebook Sizes Compared: A5 vs B5 vs A4 for Business Buyers
- Leo Xia
- May 15
- 5 min read
Quick Content Reach:
Why size still decides the sale
Since I was in this Notebook Manufacturing Industry, I’ve been watching bulk pallets of notebooks move from press room to boardroom. Time after time, one detail keeps turning tidy POs into tangled logistics headaches: choosing the wrong size.
In this guide I’ll break down the best notebook sizes compared—A5 vs B5 vs A4—for business buyers and show exactly where each format saves (or costs) you money, shelf space, and customer goodwill.
Fast facts at a glance
Size | Metric (mm) | Imperial (in) | Pages per 20 ft GP container (est.)* | Typical carton qty |
A5 | 148 × 210 | 5.8 × 8.3 | ~1.3 million | 80–96 |
B5 | 176 × 250 | 6.9 × 9.8 | ~980 k | 60–72 |
A4 | 210 × 297 | 8.3 × 11.7 | ~720 k | 40–48 |
*Assumes 80‑gsm stock, 80 pages, hard cover, spiral‑bound.
Dimensions referenced from ISO 216 tables and leading stationery guides. Goldspot PensGalen LeatherPapersizes
A5 — The portable performer
At 148 × 210 mm, A5 is the size that slips into a tote yet still photocopies neatly onto A4 when staff need hand‑outs. Vintage Leather Sydney
Where it shines – field merch teams, conference giveaways, retail planograms that prize “hand‑feel” over max page count.
Logistics edge – Because freight is billed by dimensional weight, every centimetre matters. Upsizing from A5 to A4 increases cubic volume 2.0 ×, doubling billed kilos on air freight invoices. FedExRed Stag Fulfillment
My story – In 2023 a U.S. craft chain shaved 18 % landed cost by switching its holiday journals from A4 to A5; the smaller cartons filled dead space on mixed pallets and let them air‑freight best‑sellers during Black Friday crunch without breaking margin.
Ideal specs for bulk A5 runs
80 gsm FSC cream stock (avoids show‑through but keeps spine thin)
80 pages, lay‑flat spiral
Matte PP cover to withstand road‑warrior bags
B5 — The Goldilocks sweet spot
If A4 feels like a briefcase and A5 like a pocket‑pad, B5 splits the difference. At roughly 176 × 250 mm, it offers 33 % more writing surface than A5 yet still fits most messenger bags. Sylounnotely.com.au
Meeting‑room favorite – A Cornell‑ruled B5 keeps agendas on one side and action bullets on the other—my go‑to when I audit supplier facilities.
Retail insight – B5 “composition” books outsold A4 by 1.8 × on Amazon’s EU marketplace last back‑to‑school season (internal Lion Paper sell‑through data).
Carton math – Switching a 10,000‑unit corporate training order from A4 to B5 freed two pallets, cutting LCL fees by US $1,260 and carbon footprint by an estimated 310 kg CO₂e (TLI dim‑weight calculator). Translogistics
A4 — The board‑room workhorse
Nothing beats 210 × 297 mm when executives need to review print‑outs one‑to‑one or archive minutes without shrinking photocopies. Interwell
Professional optics – Legal teams and engineers still demand full‑size diagrams; downsizing can trigger reprint costs later.
Hidden drawback – Air parcels priced on volume can push a 1 kg box of A4 notebooks to a billed weight of 2.4 kg—a silent margin killer if you sell D2C. ExhibitEdgeFedEx
When I recommend it – High‑value proposals, training manuals ≥120 pages, or any SKU destined for file cabinets.
Cost & compliance: why size = dollars
Dim‑weight pricing – Carriers bill on either actual or volumetric weight—whichever is greater. Shrinking a book’s footprint can drop its billed kilos by up to 40 %. FedExRed Stag Fulfillment
Carton utilisation – A5 cartons cube out before they weigh out, letting you load more on mixed palettes—essential under FMC “floor‑load” rules.
Eco‑fees – Markets such as Germany’s VerpackG charge by paper tonnage; choosing B5 over A4 can trim compliance fees.
End‑of‑life waste – Smaller formats reduce pulp usage; leaders cite this in ESG reports to satisfy Scope 3 audits. UIC
Decision framework: find your best notebook size fast
Buyer question | If you answer… | Go‑to size |
Will staff carry it daily? | Yes, field or hybrid roles | A5 |
Need to paste A4 print‑outs? | Yes, attach specs or drawings | A4 |
Mixed notes & diagrams? | Both, but travel often | B5 |
Strict air‑freight budget? | Under $5/kg land‑ed | A5 |
Training binders >100 pages? | Yes | A4 |
My closing advice on notebook size
When buyers ask me which notebook size is best I answer with another question: how will the book travel? Match the page to the journey and you’ll protect both profit and brand perception. If you’re still unsure, send me your spec sheet—I’ll mock up an A5, B5, and A4 prototype in 3 days and run a real‑world carton test.
Ready to get sizing right?
Contact Lion Paper for a free quote or email directly at Lily@lion‑paper.com. Let’s make your next order the smoothest yet.
—Leo Xia, CEO, Lion Paper Products
FAQs:
Q1: What is the best notebook size for bulk business orders?
If you need something portable for meetings or giveaways, A5 is the most cost-effective and popular choice. For larger writing space without going oversized, B5 is a great middle ground.
Q2: Which size is most efficient for air freight shipping?
A5 is the most logistics-friendly size. Its compact dimensions optimize carton utilization and help reduce dimensional weight charges in air shipping.
Q3: Is B5 a popular notebook size in Western markets?
Yes. B5 is gaining traction in Europe and Japan, especially among Amazon sellers and premium stationery brands due to its balance between writing space and portability.
Q4: My customers need to insert or copy A4 documents. Which size is best?
A4 notebooks are the most suitable, ensuring full compatibility with standard A4 printouts, photocopies, and filing systems—ideal for legal, engineering, or finance sectors.
Q5: Does notebook size affect production cost?
Absolutely. Larger sizes require more materials, packaging, and space. A5 notebooks can save 20–30% in total cost compared to A4, especially for international shipments.
Q6: Can I order multiple notebook sizes in one order?
Yes. We fully support mixed-size orders and sample sets, making it easier for you to test market response or target different user needs.
Q7: Do different sizes affect how many notebooks fit per carton?
Yes. A5 fits around 80–96 per carton, B5 about 60–72, and A4 generally holds 40–48. This directly impacts how much you can ship per container or pallet.
Q8: Which size is best for branded corporate gifts or promotional giveaways?
A5 is the go-to format for marketing and brand promotions. It’s easy to carry, affordable to produce, and offers ample space for logos or creative artwork.
Q9: Can I request samples for each size?
Absolutely. We offer rapid sample creation (3–5 working days) for A5, B5, and A4 notebooks to help you compare carton volume, print surface, and user feel.
Q10: When should I choose B5 over A5 or A4?
B5 is perfect for training notebooks, meeting journals, and note-taking that requires more space. If you want extra room without sacrificing portability, B5 is the ideal balance.
Are you looking for a reliable manufacturer? Reach out to Lion Paper for a free quote and consultation. Let’s collaborate on creating custom writing paper products that will set your brand apart from the competition.
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