Anyone can fall for a beautiful notebook.The ones that last are the ones that fit your life – literally. Size plays a bigger role than you might expect. It shapes how you write, where you use it, and how it fits into your day – from desk to bag to bedside table.
Here's what you need to know to find the perfect size for you.
How do A4, A5, A6 and B5 notebooks compare in size?
Think of it as a spectrum – from spacious to compact, each one designed to suit a different kind of day.
In simple terms:
A4 – generous and desk-bound, made for big ideas and detailed work
B5 – a little more room to think, a quiet favourite for those in the know
A5 – perfectly balanced, your everyday companion
A6 – small and portable, for notes on the move
A4 (21 × 29.7 cm)
Generous, spacious, and happiest on a desk where it can really unfold. Made for big ideas, meeting notes, or anything that benefits from room to breathe. Our spiral notebooks are designed this way for a reason.
Think: Your everyday workspace essential.
B5 (17.6 × 25 cm)
A little unexpected, but quietly confident. Slightly larger than A5, it gives your thoughts more space without ever feeling too much – the kind of size you discover, then never look back from.
Think: Extra room, still slips neatly into your tote.
A5 (14.8 × 21 cm)
The sweet spot. Easy to carry, with just enough space to think clearly on the page. It lies flat, feels considered, and moves effortlessly with you – from workdays to weekends.
Think: Fits in most handbags, always within reach.
A6 (10.5 × 14.8 cm)
Small, simple, and ready when you are. For quick notes, passing thoughts, and ideas that arrive when you’re out in the world.
Think: Coat pocket, café-table friendly, never in the way.
At a glance
A4 → B5 → A5 → A6 (largest to smallest)
What is a pocket-sized notebook – and when should I use it?
A pocket-sized notebook is made to move with you. Usually around A6 or smaller, it’s designed with portability in mind – the one you reach for when a thought appears and you don’t want to let it go.
It’s less about long, lingering writing sessions, and more about catching things as they come:
– a passing thought on the train
– a list between errands
– a line you’d like to remember
There’s something quietly freeing about a smaller page – it doesn’t ask for much.
Just a few words is often enough.
Which notebook size is best for school, work or journaling?
It really comes down to how – and where – you like to write.
For school or study
Larger formats like A4 or letter size give you the space to organise your thoughts clearly – from detailed notes to diagrams and revision plans.
For work
It often mirrors the shape of your day. At your desk, go for A4 or letter size for structure and clarity. On the move? A5 strikes a natural balance.
For journaling
A5 feels like home. Spacious enough to explore your thoughts, without ever feeling too much. It invites you back, day after day – which is really what journaling is about.
What are the most popular notebook sizes for gifts?
A5 is the size most people reach for when gifting – and for good reason. It’s versatile, intuitive, and slips easily into almost any routine, whether someone is planning, journaling, or simply noting things down. There’s something generous about giving someone a beautiful place to write.
It a quick, easy gift that's thoughtful and inspiring at the same time.
Larger sizes can lean more practical; smaller ones, more personal. A5 sits comfortably in between – useful, but still a pleasure to use.
A note on choosing your size
The right notebook doesn't just fit your bag – it fits your life. A larger page invites bigger thinking. A smaller one makes starting feel easier. Somewhere in between, there's a format that becomes part of your everyday – the one you reach for without hesitation.
That's usually the one worth choosing.
