Script sizes: everything you need to know about available formats

Whether for school, office or personal use, the dimensions of a notebook play an important role in its ease of use and functionality. Discover the different formats and choose the ideal size according to your needs.

The most important notebook sizes explained

Standard sizes: A4, A5, A6 and their uses

A4 notebook (21 x 29.7 cm)

Ideal for courses or business use, this format is perfect for taking detailed notes or managing administrative documents. Its format allows it to efficiently organise bulky content such as reports, documents or school exercises. A paper weight of 90 g/m² is often recommended for optimal writing comfort and to prevent smudging, even with thick pens or felt-tip pens. In the workplace, A4 notebooks are often used for projects or as registers. They offer enough space to write down all necessary information and yet are practical to store in filing cabinets or cupboards. The sturdy binding guarantees the durability of the pages, even when used intensively.

A5 notebook (14.8 x 21 cm)

This more compact size is perfect for quick notes and diaries. This small notebook is easy to carry and perfect for travelling. Generally, a paper weight of 80 to 90 g/m² is sufficient to ensure that the pages stay together and writing is smooth. This weight is ideal for professionals on the go, for jotting down ideas, contacts or important points during meetings. In addition, the A5 notebook is often used for diaries or travel reports, as it combines convenience with enough space for detailed writing. Brands such as Clairefontaine and Conquérant offer high-quality A5 notebooks in different models to suit every need.

A6 notebook (10.5 x 14.8 cm)

Ultra-portable, this format is perfect for reminders and to-do lists. A paper weight of 70 to 80 gsm is generally sufficient for this type of notebook, as it is mainly used for quick notes or reminders. In fact, this small notebook is ideal for users looking for a quick and space-saving way to take notes, and it can be easily tucked into a pocket or handbag. This format is often used as a pocket notebook by professionals and students to jot down reminders, quotes or ideas on the spot.

Specific features of notebooks with large and small squares

Large squares notebook (Seyès)

This emblematic format of the French school system is specially designed for clear, structured writing. The large square grid, or Seyès rule, has horizontal lines spaced 8 mm apart, with three other lines drawn between them with vertical margins, making it an ideal medium for learning to write. The margins add extra structure, delimit the writing areas and make note-taking easier, which is especially useful for teachers. This type of notebook also makes it easier to present homework or school exercises neatly and methodically, encouraging orderly writing. Its use is not limited to schools: professionals can also use it for handwritten notes that require a well-organised presentation. Séyès Clairefontaine notebooks are often recommended for their excellent quality and superior paper weight, ideal for everyday use.

Notebooks with small squares (5x5 mm)

This format stands out for its precision and practicality for scientific, mathematical or technical work. The grid pattern, with lines spaced 5 mm apart, makes it easy to create detailed graphs, tables and diagrams. In maths classes, for example, it is essential for geometric plotting and complex calculations. This notebook is also used in companies, especially in research departments or design studios, where professional sketches and plans are regularly produced. But notebooks with small squares can also be used for simple notes, as you can write more freely in them.

How to choose the notebook format that best suits your needs

Choose by use: school, office or note-taking

The choice of notebook format largely depends on the main use, whether it is for school, work or personal use.

For school, formats such as A4 notebook or 24x32 cm notebook (sometimes called A4+ notebook)are particularly suitable. These generous formats allow you to store and organise lessons efficiently, and keep handouts and supporting documents together. Their spacious writing surface also makes it easier to take detailed notes, ideal for students who need to jot down complex or voluminous information. These formats are also preferred for homework assignments, as they provide clean, legible output. For more advice on choosing the right model, see our article "Which type of notebook to choose".

For professional use, A4 and A5 formats are very versatile. The A4 format, with its standard size, is perfect for note-taking meetings or preparing presentations. The more compact A5 format, on the other hand, is ideal for short notes or spontaneous ideas. Lightweight and easy to carry in a bag or briefcase, it is ideal for business trips or informal meetings. It combines functionality with professionalism and provides enough space for the essentials without taking up too much room. Prices vary by brand and paper weight.

Please note the number of pages and cover

The number of pages of a notebook plays a crucial role in choosing the model that best suits your needs.

• If you are looking for a solution for one-off tasks, a 48-page notebook is more than enough. This type of notebook is often used for specific projects or temporary notes.
• In contrast, for intensive use such as taking an entire course or taking regular notes at work, a notebook with 192 pages or more is preferable. With its larger capacity, it offers enough space to group together a large amount of information, while requiring you to change media less frequently.

The type of cover is another essential criterion.

• A polypro notebook's hard cover ensures greater durability, which is especially important for notebooks that are heavily used on a daily basis or travel frequently. These notebooks are robust, hard-wearing and provide excellent protection for the pages inside.
• A soft cover, on the other hand, makes the notebook lighter and easier to handle. This type of cover is ideal for people who like to keep things light, such as students or professionals who carry a lot of documents.

So the choice between a hard or soft cover depends on your lifestyle and your priorities in terms of ease of use and durability. Numerous brands, such as Conquérant and Clairefontaine, offer options that meet these criteria.

Tips for organising your notebooks according to their size

Make the best use of bags and storage boxes for different sizes

While storage bags are often used for larger sizes such as A4 and 24x32 cm, there are also models suitable for smaller sizes such as A5. These pouches allow you to carry your notebooks without damaging them, and they are especially useful for people who regularly take their notebooks on the go.

Storage boxes are ideal for compact notebooks like A5 and A6 to keep them easily organised, but they can also be used for larger notebooks (A4, 24x32 cm). Just choose the right size box to group different notebooks or documents, especially for storage at home or in the office.

Tips for optimal and durable storage

For optimal storage, start by grouping your notebooks according to their main use: school, work or private. Once you have sorted them, put them on clearly labelled shelves to make them easier to find. This way, you can quickly find the notebook you need and your work or study space will stay impeccably organised. Make sure each category has its own section to make daily management much easier.

To extend the life of your notebooks, consider protecting the covers. Using polypro notebook protectors or Koverbooks (Clairefontaine range) is an effective solution against scratches, stains and general wear and tear. These accessories keep your notebooks looking like new, even after intensive use. Not only do they add a touch of durability, but they also improve the overall presentation of your notebooks, ideal for professional or school use. Moreover, at Bruneau, you can benefit from our fast delivery service, so you can have your accessories straight away.