Envelopes come in a wide variety of types, sizes, and colors. Just step into a stationery store—or browse an online envelope shop—and you’ll see a plethora of options. Whether you need an envelope for a registered letter or a small postcard, there’s a suitable envelope for almost every size. But which envelope is ideal for A4 paper? And what is the size of an A4 envelope?
Which envelope do you need for A4?
You could, of course, fold your A4 papers in half to fit them into a standard C6 envelope. However, this isn’t the best—or most elegant—solution for your document. That’s why we recommend always choosing an envelope size that is at least 5-10 millimeters larger than the contents you intend to send. If you want to send unfolded A4 paper, the EA4 envelope is the best choice. We’ll explain why below.
The size of an A4 envelope
When selecting an envelope for your A4 paper, it’s important to first know the exact dimensions of A4. Then, add 5 mm to both the length and width to determine the appropriate envelope size.
A4 paper measures 210 mm in width and 297 mm in length. Add 5 mm to each side, ensuring your papers will fit comfortably within the envelope. Thus, an envelope for unfolded A4 paper must have minimum dimensions of 215 x 302 mm. However, you will notice that the sizes of the envelopes are slightly larger.
Envelope sizes suitable for unfolded A4 paper:
- EA4 envelope: 220 x 312 mm
- C4 envelope: 229 x 324 mm
If you’re okay with folding your A4 paper once (down to A5 size, 148 x 210mm), you could also choose these envelope sizes:
- EA5 envelope: 156 x 220 mm
- C5 envelope: 162 x 229 mm
A4 envelopes in all types and colors
Now that you know the ideal envelope sizes for sending unfolded A4 paper (EA4 or C4), you’re faced with another set of choices. Will your envelope have a window or not? Will it have an adhesive border? Will it be printed with company data or left unprinted? And what about the color of the envelope? Many online stores allow you to order envelopes in every color imaginable. There’s certainly no shortage of options when it comes to A4 envelopes!