What size should my certificate be?

When creating a certificate, one of the most common questions is: "Will this fit in a frame?"

The answer depends entirely on where you live and how you plan to print it. In this guide, we break down the two global standards for document sizing so you can print your awards with confidence.

1. US Letter (8.5" x 11")

If you are located in the United States, Canada, or Mexico, this is your standard paper size.

• Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 inches (216 x 279 mm)
• Common Uses: School awards, employee recognition, corporate documents.
• Framing: You can find "Document Frames" at any major retailer (Walmart, Target, Amazon) specifically designed for this size.

Tip: If you are printing from our Certificate Generator, select the "US Letter" option in your printer settings to ensure the border doesn't get cut off.

2. A4 (International Standard)

For the rest of the world (Europe, Asia, Australia, South America), A4 is the standard.

• Dimensions: 8.27 x 11.69 inches (210 x 297 mm)
• Common Uses: International diplomas, professional certifications, government documents.
• Framing: Look for A4 specific frames. Using a US Letter frame for an A4 document will result in crinkled edges or gaps.

Which one should I choose?

If you are sending a digital certificate via email, it doesn't matter much! However, if you know the recipient will print it, choose the standard used in their country.

• Printing at home? Check your printer paper package.
• Printing professionally? A local print shop can usually handle both, but they may need to trim the paper to size.

Summary Table

| Standard | Width | Height | Where it's used | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | US Letter | 8.5 in | 11 in | North America | | A4 | 210 mm | 297 mm | Rest of World |

Ready to create your document? Click here to start designing.