What Is Legal Paper Size and Why Is It Used?

Learn about legal paper size, its dimensions, and why it is preferred for legal documents in the U.S.

Published

Video transcript

The legal paper size commonly used in the United States measures 8.5 x 14 inches or 215.9 x 355.6 mm. It is slightly longer than the standard letter size, making it ideal for legal documents requiring more space.

Questions and answers

  1. What are the exact dimensions of legal paper size?

    Legal paper size measures 8.5 x 14 inches or 215.9 x 355.6 millimeters, making it longer than standard letter size.

  2. How does legal paper size differ from letter size?

    Legal paper is longer than letter size, measuring 8.5 x 14 inches compared to the letter size of 8.5 x 11 inches, providing more space for detailed documents.

  3. Why is legal paper size commonly used for legal documents?

    Legal paper size provides extra length, which is ideal for legal documents that require more space for terms, clauses, and signatures.