Area: 1 B5 = 2 × B6 (B6 is half the area). Scaling factor: 1/√2 ≈ 0.7071 per side.
B5 is the classic notebook and planner size — this tool helps you scale down to B6 for pocketbooks, notepads, and compact publications.
B6 = B5 × 2 · Scale factor = 1/√2 ≈ 0.7071 per side1 B5 sheet splits into exactly 2 B6 sheets (or 1 B6 = 0.5 B5).
📏 What is B5 Paper Size?
B5 is a medium paper size in the ISO 216 B-series. Its dimensions are 176 × 250 mm (6.9 × 9.8 inches), with an area of 0.044 m². B5 is the classic size for notebooks, planners, and medium-format publications. It's widely used in Japan and other Asian countries for notebooks, journals, and stationery. B5 is exactly twice the area of B6, making it a popular choice for everyday writing and note-taking.
📄 What is B6 Paper Size?
B6 is a small paper size in the ISO 216 B-series. Its dimensions are 125 × 176 mm (4.9 × 6.9 inches), with an area of 0.022 m². B6 is the go-to size for pocketbooks, passports, small notepads, and compact publications. It's perfect for portable notebooks, planners, and personal stationery. B6 is exactly half the area of B5, making it a natural choice for documents that need to be carried easily.
🧮 The Math: How B5 Becomes B6
The ISO 216 B-series is based on the geometric mean between A-series sizes. Each step down (B5 → B6) halves the area. The side lengths decrease by a factor of 1/√2 ≈ 0.7071.
- Width: 176 mm × (1/√2) ≈ 125 mm
- Height: 250 mm × (1/√2) ≈ 176 mm
- Area: 0.044 m² ÷ 2 = 0.022 m²
Formula: 1 B5 = 2 × B6 (in area). So, if you have 1 B5 sheet, you can print 2 B6 pages from it (or 1 B6 = 0.5 B5).
📊 Quick Conversion Table: B5 to B6
| B5 Sheets | B6 Equivalent | Scale factor (side) | Real‑world use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 B5 | 1 B6 | 100% | Small pocketbook |
| 1 B5 | 2 B6 | 70.7% (reduce) | Standard notebook spread |
| 2 B5 | 4 B6 | 50% (half width/height) | Notebook + cover |
| 5 B5 | 10 B6 | 31.6% | Small book chapter |
| 10 B5 | 20 B6 | 22.4% | Pocketbook series |
| 25 B5 | 50 B6 | 14.1% | Book volume |
| 50 B5 | 100 B6 | 10% | Complete book |
| 100 B5 | 200 B6 | 7.1% | Large publication |
🖨️ Real‑World Examples: B5 to B6 in Action
- 📖 Notebooks & Journals: B5 is the classic notebook size for students and professionals. B6 is used for pocket notebooks and planners. This converter helps you plan page layouts and printing.
- 📚 Book Publishing: B5 is used for medium-format books and educational materials. B6 is used for pocket-sized editions and travel guides.
- 📋 Stationery: B5 is used for letterheads and professional stationery. B6 is used for notecards and personal correspondence.
- 🎨 Art & Photography: B5 is popular for art prints and portfolios. B6 offers a compact format for small prints and postcards.
- 📬 Marketing Materials: B5 flyers are common for professional handouts. B6 offers a more portable size for giveaways and business cards.
💡 Professional Tips for B5 to B6 Scaling
🎯 Resolution & Quality
When scaling from B5 to B6, if your original is 300 DPI, the resulting B6 will be ~424 DPI — actually higher quality! This is because you're concentrating the same pixels into a smaller area.
📐 B‑Series vs. A‑Series
B-series sizes are about 1.2× larger than A-series at the same number. For example, B5 (176 × 250 mm) is larger than A5 (148 × 210 mm). B5 is often preferred for notebooks because it offers more writing space.
💰 Printing Efficiency
Printing 2 B6 pages from 1 B5 sheet can save paper and costs. This is common in book production where B5 is used for signatures and B6 for covers.
📂 Notebook Production
B5 is the most popular notebook size in Japan. When producing pocket versions (B6), use this converter to maintain consistent proportions.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (B5 to B6)
Q: How many B6 sheets equal 1 B5?
A: Exactly 2 B6 sheets make 1 B5 in terms of area. You can fit two B6 pages on one B5 sheet.
Q: What is the scaling factor from B5 to B6?
A: Each side is scaled by 1/√2 ≈ 0.7071, meaning you reduce the width and height by 29.3%.
Q: Can I fit a B5 document onto a B6 sheet?
A: Yes, by scaling it down to 70.7% on each dimension. The document will fit, but text will be smaller.
Q: What is the difference in area between B5 and B6?
A: B5 has exactly double the area of B6 (0.044 m² vs. 0.022 m²).
Q: Is B5 bigger than B6?
A: Yes, B5 is larger. B5 is the next size up from B6. 1 B5 = 2 × B6.
Q: What is B5 used for?
A: B5 is used for notebooks, planners, books, and professional stationery.
Q: What is B6 used for?
A: B6 is used for pocketbooks, passports, small notepads, and compact publications.
Q: Why is B5 so popular in Japan?
A: B5 is the standard for school notebooks, planners, and office documents in Japan, offering a perfect balance between portability and writing space.
📈 Why Accurate B5‑to‑B6 Conversion Matters
Accurate scaling between B5 and B6 is essential for notebook production, book publishing, and document management. Whether you're designing a planner, producing a book, or creating stationery, this tool ensures your documents fit perfectly every time. Inaccurate scaling can lead to wasted paper, misaligned designs, and costly reprints.
🌐 Global Standards & Professional Usage
The B‑series (ISO 216) is used alongside the A‑series in many countries. B5 is particularly popular in Asia for notebooks and publications. B6 is used globally for passports, pocketbooks, and compact stationery. This tool supports professional paper size conversions for users worldwide.
📐 The Full B‑Series Hierarchy
- B8 = 62 × 88 mm – small notepads, tags
- B7 = 88 × 125 mm – pocket notebooks, passports
- B6 = 125 × 176 mm – small books, notepads
- B5 = 176 × 250 mm – medium books, notebooks
- B4 = 250 × 353 mm – magazines, large books
- B3 = 353 × 500 mm – posters, book signatures
- B2 = 500 × 707 mm – large posters, book covers
- B1 = 707 × 1000 mm – large posters, banners
- B0 = 1000 × 1414 mm – display boards, billboards
Each step up doubles the area, making the system intuitive and easy to scale.
🔗 Explore More Paper & Print Tools
Check out our other converters: B6 to B5, B3 to B2, A4 to A3, A3 to A4, Letter to A4, PX to MM, and DPI Calculator. All designed to make your print and design workflows smoother.