Other Paper Sizes
Newspaper Sizes
Newspapers come in a variety of sizes, with the most common being Broadsheet, Berliner, Tabloid, and Compact. The choice of size is often influenced by regional preferences, printing capabilities, and the desired reading experience for the audience.
Berliner
Dimensions: 315 x 470 mm (12.4″ x 18.5″)
Background
The Berliner format (also known as Midi) is commonly used by newspapers across Europe. It is similar in size to the Swiss (Neue Zürcher Zeitung) format, which measures 320 x 475 mm (12.6″ x 18.7″).
The name “Berliner” can be confusing, as the newspaper “Berliner Zeitung” is not actually printed in the Berliner size. The Berliner format is a distinct size, smaller than the Broadsheet but larger than the Tabloid.
The Berliner format is often chosen by newspapers that want to strike a balance between the spaciousness of the Broadsheet and the portability of the Tabloid. This size allows for more in-depth reporting and a more visually appealing layout compared to the Tabloid format, while still being more manageable and easier to handle than the traditional Broadsheet.
The choice of newspaper size is influenced by various factors, including regional preferences, printing capabilities, and the desired reading experience for the target audience. While the Broadsheet remains the traditional and largest format, the Berliner and Tabloid sizes have gained popularity in recent years, offering different options to meet the evolving needs and preferences of readers.
Broadsheet Size
Broadsheet is the traditional and largest newspaper format, with dimensions that vary across different regions:
- UK: 375 x 597 mm (14.8″ x 23.5″)
- US: 381 x 578 mm (15″ x 22.75″)
- South African: 410 x 578 mm (16.1″ x 22.75″)
- New York Times: 305 x 559 mm (12.0″ x 22.0″)
- Wall Street Journal: 305 x 578 mm (12.0″ x 22.75″)
Background
The term “broadsheet” derives from the single sheets of political satire and ballads sold on the streets, which became popular after the British placed a tax on newspapers by the number of pages in 1712. This larger format allowed for more content and more detailed reporting.
Over time, the broadsheet size for newspapers has become less popular, and many titles have switched from broadsheet to the smaller Tabloid format. However, some broadsheet newspapers, such as the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, have maintained their larger format. It’s worth noting that some older broadsheet papers were even larger than their modern counterparts.
In Australia and New Zealand, the term “broadsheet” is used to refer to papers that are printed on A1 size paper, resulting in an A2 size (420 x 594 mm – 16.5″ x 23.4″) for the newspapers.
