While both sizes of file will easily take A4 documents, foolscap files are slightly larger than A4 files and are designed to provide extra spacing around the documents within the file.
Before the introduction of the A4 size paper, the 'foolscap' or 'foolscape' was the standard paper size used in most countries across the globe. In terms of size, it was slightly narrower but a bit longer than the current A4. The 'foolscap' paper got its name from the watermark that was put on it — a fool's cap.
a type of inexpensive writing paper, especially legal-size, lined, yellow sheets, bound in tablet form. Chiefly British. a size of drawing or printing paper, 13.5 × 17 inches (34 × 43 centimeters).
Foolscap Paper Size
The size is still very common in filing and storage products, as it serves as an oversized A4. Foolscap size paper is 13 x 8″ (330 x 203mm).
Foolscap was still in everyday office use well into the mid 1980's and the name was often, incorrectly, used to refer to A4 size paper. Foolscap can now only be obtained from specialist paper manufacturers such as James Cropper plc and is not available from commercial office supplies stockists.
Foolscap suspension or lever arch files are often used to hold A4 paper; the slightly larger size of the file offers greater protection to the edges of the pages it contains.
Foolscap folio (commonly contracted to foolscap or cap or folio and in short FC) is paper cut to the size of 81⁄2 × 131⁄2 in (216 × 343 mm) for printing or to 8 × 13 in (203 × 330 mm) for "normal" writing paper (foolscap).
While both sizes of file will easily take A4 documents, foolscap files are slightly larger than A4 files and are designed to provide extra spacing around the documents within the file.
Foolscap is paper cut to the size of 81⁄2 × 131⁄2 inches (216 × 343 mm), sometimes 13 × 8 in (330 × 200 mm). This was a traditional paper size used in Europe and the British Commonwealth, before the adoption of the international standard A4 paper, the most common standard size in the world.
(fuːlzkæp ) uncountable noun. Foolscap is paper which is about 34 centimetres by 43 centimetres in size. [mainly British]
A sheet of Foolscap[2] paper complete (plano) actually measures 13+1⁄2 × 17 inches (343 × 432 mm), and a folio sheet of any type is half the size of the base sheet. The lateral dimensions of legal paper are 8.5 x 14.0 inches (216 x 356 mm).
We pronounced it that way because that's the way many of our teachers said it. There were a few who used to refer to it as 'foolscape' paper. But neither 'foolscape' nor 'fullscape' is correct; the standard writing paper size that was used in most of Europe and the British Commonwealth was actually 'foolscap'.
The international letterhead A4 paper size is 21 x 29.7 cm, as defined by the ISO 216 standard.
International Paper Sizes and Dimensions
There are three ranges of paper sizes, prefixed A, B and C. The most widely used for general printing and letterhead stationery is the A series. The most common of these sheet sizes is the international letterhead size A4, which measures 8-1/4 x 11-3/4 in, or 210 x 297 mm.
What is Half Sheet Size Paper? Half sheet paper, also known as half letter size, is a paper size that measures 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches. It is half the size of a standard letter-size paper (8.5 inches by 11 inches) and is commonly used for printing flyers, postcards, invitations, and other materials.
Standard Paper Sizes
Size A4 has its shortest edge (210mm) doubled to be the longest edge of A3 (420mm). A3 has its shortest edge (297mm) doubled to be the longest edge of A2 (594mm). And similarly up to A0.
80 gsm A4 Paper- 80 gsm A4 paper is ideal for printing and photocopying.
The legal paper dimensions are A4 or 216x279mm. In the United States of America and Canada, the dimensions are the same, but the paper is called differently. The legal paper dimensions in America are 216x356mm or 8.5 x 11 inches. Those dimensions are called legal.
Foolscap is slightly larger and measures 8.5 inches by 13.5, which makes a practical folder or clip board, allowing extra room for an A4 piece of paper to fit in, and this prevents the corners from folding or important essays or documents from becoming squashed.
Foolscap legal paper is available in many weights from 60gsm up to 120gsm, however the most common weight by far is the 80gsm. This is suitable for use in almost any photocopier or printer that has a paper cassette that is adjustable to accept paper that is 330mm (13″) in length.
Traditional IPA: ˈpeɪpə 2 syllables: "PAY" + "puh"
Difference between Legal and Foolscap Paper Sizes
Length: Foolscap is shorter in length than Legal Size by 26 mm (1.0 in). Aspect Ratio: Aspect ratio of Legal Size is 1.6471:1 while that of Foolscap is 1.625:1.