Open A5 and A6 notebooks beside each other

A5 vs A6: Half the Page, Which UK Notebook Fits Your Day?

If you write at a desk and want room for detailed entries, an A5 notebook is the better fit. If you need something that disappears into a pocket or small bag, an A6 is the right call. The two sizes follow the ISO 216 standard, where A6 is exactly half the page area of A5, so the choice really comes down to writing space versus portability. We stock notebooks at Feltfield for exactly this reason.

TL;DR:

  • A5 measures 148 × 210 mm, while A6 measures 105 × 148 mm; A6 has exactly half the page area, so detailed layouts have less room.
  • A6 handles quick lists and single column trackers, but full daily schedules, longer journal entries, or large handwriting often need A5’s extra width.
  • A6 fits most coat pockets and works one handed on the move, but a padded cover or extra inserts can reduce its portability.
  • Before switching sizes, check refill availability and test a printed page with your usual handwriting; existing covers and inserts may not fit.
  • Keep A5 at your desk for planning and reference, then use A6 for quick captures and transfer useful notes each evening.
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Table of Contents

A5 and A6 dimensions and how they relate to each other

A5 measures 148 × 210 mm (5.83 × 8.27 in), while A6 measures 105 × 148 mm (4.13 × 5.83 in), according to the ISO 216 standard that governs A-series paper sizes. These figures are confirmed by independent size guides, including one that lists the same measurements for A5 and A6 planners.

Proportional A5 and A6 page dimensions

The relationship between the two sizes is built into the standard itself. Each A size is created by halving the one before it along its longer edge, so A6 is precisely half the area of A5, and A5 is in turn half of A4. That is why an A6 page looks like an A5 page folded once down the middle, and why A5 looks like half a sheet of A4.

It helps to see the neighbouring sizes side by side, since many printable inserts and refills are sold against this scale.

B5 sits between A5 and A4 and gives noticeably more page area than A5, which makes it worth a look if you sketch or take dense study notes, as one size guide to A5 notebooks compared with B5 and Letter points out. For most note-taking and planning, though, the real decision is between A5 and A6, since both are widely available with matching refills, inserts and covers.

How much you can actually fit on the page

Raw dimensions only tell part of the story. What matters day to day is how a ruling, layout or habit tracker behaves once you start writing on it.

  • Lined pages: A5 can accommodate more lines of handwriting than A6, so dense note-taking may get cramped on A6.
  • Dot grid and grid rulings: A5 gives enough width for multi-column layouts (weekly spreads, trackers, mind maps), while A6 usually only comfortably fits a single column or a short list.
  • Daily spreads and time blocks: A5 supports a full day laid out by hour with space for notes beside it, something that is difficult to replicate on A6 without shrinking text to the point of strain.
  • Memory-keeping and journaling: A5 leaves room for longer reflective entries, while A6 favours short, quick captures rather than extended writing.

If you already use A5 layouts and want to try A6, scaling down works for some formats and not others. A simple weekly list or a single habit tracker column can shrink to A6 without much loss. A full daily spread with time blocks, a notes column and a mood tracker usually cannot, because the width simply is not there once you account for margins and binding.

Pro Tip: Test your usual handwriting size against a printed A6 template before committing. Many people write larger than they think, and it only becomes obvious once the margins run out.

This is a common sticking point for planner users specifically. One size comparison aimed at planner buyers notes that A6 is exactly half the area of A5, which is why detailed daily layouts and widely available inserts favour A5, while A6 pushes people towards simplified, pared-back planning (Crafting Her Plans). If your planning style depends on seeing a lot of information at once, that halving in area is the number that matters most.

Portability and everyday carry: what fits where

Size on paper is one thing, size in your actual bag or pocket is another. A5 notebooks fit into most tote bags, backpacks and larger handbags without trouble, but they rarely fit into a jacket pocket or a small crossbody bag. A6 notebooks fit into jacket pockets, small bags and glove compartments, which is why they tend to get carried more consistently simply because they are easier to have on hand.

  • A5: comfortable in backpacks, totes and desk drawers; awkward in jacket pockets or very small bags.
  • A6: fits most jacket and coat pockets, small bags and even some trouser pockets depending on thickness.
  • One-handed use: A6 is far easier to hold and write in while standing on a train, queuing, or balancing a coffee, since it rests comfortably in one palm.
  • Cramped spaces: A5 needs a flat surface or at least a stable lap to write on comfortably, while A6 tolerates awkward angles better.

Thickness changes the equation more than people expect. A slim A5 notebook with a soft cover slips into a bag easily, but a thick hardback A5 with stickers, inserts and tucked-in cards can add real bulk and weight. The same applies to A6: a slim pocket notebook barely registers, while a padded cover with elastic closures and extra pockets can turn it into something that no longer slides easily into a jeans pocket.

Pro Tip: If portability is your priority, choose a slim, flexible cover over a rigid one, and avoid overloading the notebook with loose inserts, since that is usually what makes a small notebook feel bulky.

Who actually uses A5 and who actually uses A6

The two sizes tend to attract different habits rather than different types of people, since most of us end up switching between modes depending on the day.

A5 suits anyone who writes while seated at a desk or table and wants room to spread out:

  • Daily and weekly planning with full time-blocked layouts.
  • Long-form journaling and reflective writing.
  • Study notes that mix text, diagrams and highlighted sections.
  • Creative spreads, including sketches, mood boards and collage-style pages.

A6 suits anyone whose writing happens on the move or in short bursts:

  • Quick to-do lists and errands jotted on the go.
  • Travel journals kept in a coat pocket during a trip.
  • Appointment and contact notes taken during meetings away from a desk.
  • Everyday carry (EDC) notebooks for capturing fleeting ideas before they are forgotten.

A common professional workflow uses both sizes together rather than forcing one to do everything: an A5 notebook stays on the desk as a planning and reference hub, while an A6 travels in a bag or pocket for capture during the day. Notes get transferred from the A6 into the A5 later, which keeps the portable notebook light and the desk notebook organised.

The limitation that matters most depends on your handwriting. If you write large or press hard with a fountain pen, A6 can feel genuinely restrictive, since even short entries fill the page quickly. If your handwriting is small and tidy, A6 can hold more than people expect, and the portability trade-off becomes much easier to accept.

A quick checklist to decide between A5 and A6

Run through these questions and the answers usually point clearly to one size.

  1. Do you write mostly at a desk or table? Yes points to A5; no points to A6.
  2. Is your handwriting on the larger side? Yes points to A5; no makes A6 workable.
  3. Do you need to carry it in a pocket or small bag daily? Yes points to A6; no leaves A5 open.
  4. Do your layouts need multiple columns or sections per page? Yes points to A5; no suits A6.
  5. Is capturing a quick thought the moment it happens more important than detail? Yes points to A6; no favours A5.
  6. Do you already have A5 or A6 inserts, refills or accessories? Match the size you already own where possible.
  7. Will the notebook travel with you most days, or stay in one place? Travel favours A6; staying put favours A5.

If the answers split evenly, run a short field test before buying anything else. Carry an A6 notebook for a week and see whether you actually reach for it, or print a sample page in both A5 and A6 and write a normal day’s notes on each to see which one holds your handwriting without feeling cramped.

Pro Tip: Check that refills, inserts or dot grid paper are easily available in your chosen size before committing to a notebook system, since switching later means replacing covers as well as paper.

Running A5 and A6 together without doubling the work

A two-notebook system sounds like more effort, but it usually reduces friction rather than adding it, since each notebook does one job well instead of compromising on both.

The simplest version keeps A5 on the desk for planning, reference notes and anything that needs space, while A6 travels for capture. At the end of the day, anything worth keeping gets migrated from the A6 into the A5.

  • Daily migration: move short notes from the A6 into the relevant A5 page each evening, so nothing stays scattered across two books for long.
  • Index pages: keep a simple index at the front of each notebook so you can find a topic without flicking through every page.
  • Page numbers and tags: number pages and add a short tag or symbol next to related entries across both notebooks, so cross-referencing takes seconds.
  • Resized layouts: print a simplified version of your A5 weekly spread at A6 size for the days you only carry the smaller notebook.

A tidy desk setup helps this system run smoothly, since migration only works if the A5 notebook, pens and loose inserts have a fixed place to live. A solid wood pen and desk organiser keeps pens, the A5 notebook and small accessories in one spot, which makes the evening migration step quicker rather than another thing to hunt for.

What I’ve learned choosing between the two

I have carried an A6 notebook in a coat pocket for weeks at a time and found it brilliant for capturing ideas on the move, but useless for anything resembling a real plan. The page simply runs out too fast. Switching that same content to an A5 desk notebook made daily planning far less fiddly, since a full day’s time blocks, notes and a short list all fit on one spread without shrinking the handwriting.

For most readers choosing one notebook, A5 is the safer general-purpose size: it handles planning, journaling and notes without forcing you to simplify everything down to single lines. A6 earns its place as a dedicated pocket companion rather than a replacement. A calm, well-made desk setup makes the A5 side of that system far more pleasant to use every day.

— Joel

A notebook and organiser built for an A5 desk setup

If you have settled on A5 as your main notebook, the material and build quality matter more than they do for a pocket notebook, since it sits on your desk and gets used daily. Our Handmade Leather Notebook is made from leather, which suits a notebook meant to anchor your planning.

Handmade Leather Notebook

Pairing it with our Solid Wood Pen & Desk Organiser keeps your pens, notebook and small accessories in a fixed spot, which makes the daily migration step from a pocket A6 far less of a chore. Both pieces are part of our wider desk accessories range, built from natural materials in muted tones to keep a desk calm rather than cluttered. Check the current shipping and returns information before ordering, so you can see how the notebook and organiser sit on your actual desk before deciding whether to keep them.

FAQ

Is an A6 notebook bigger than an A5?

No, A6 is smaller than A5. A6 measures 105 × 148 mm, which is exactly half the page area of A5 at 148 × 210 mm, according to the ISO 216 standard.

Is A6 or A5 better for journaling?

A5 generally works better for journaling because it leaves room for longer, reflective entries without running out of space. A6 can still work for shorter daily journaling or quick gratitude lists if portability matters more to you than page space.

Should I get an A5 or A6 notebook?

Choose A5 if you write mostly at a desk and want room for detailed planning or notes, and choose A6 if you need something that fits easily into a pocket or small bag. Many people end up using both: A5 as a desk hub and A6 as a portable companion for capture.

Is an A5 notebook too small?

A5 is rarely too small for everyday planning, journaling or study notes, since it offers roughly double the page area of A6. It can feel limiting for very detailed sketching or dense reference material, where a larger B5 or A4 notebook offers more room.

Sources

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