A complete visual comparison chart of standard notebook sizes, including A5, A6, B5, and Traveler's Notebooks, with a pen for scale.

Starting Your Journaling Journey (Vol. 4): A Comprehensive Guide to Notebook Sizes

Like other journalers and scrapbookers, I find genuine joy in writing in notebooks of many different sizes. Since finding the "perfect" size is a struggle every journaling beginner faces, I have put together a comprehensive visual guide to help you find your match.

Understanding Standard Sizes & Their Best Uses

A visual guide comparing mini notebook sizes including A7, B7, and pocket formats, with a pen for scale. Perfect everyday carry options for quick lists, minimalist journaling, and portable stationery setups.
A visual size comparison of A6, B6, and A5 notebooks placed next to a standard pen for scale. A helpful reference guide for choosing the perfect aesthetic journal, diary, or planner size for your daily writing needs.
A size comparison of large B5 and A4 notebooks next to a standard pen for scale. These spacious formats are ideal for extensive scrapbooking, creative visual diaries, and detailed desktop planning.
A scale comparison of Traveler's Notebook sizes, featuring the Passport and Regular formats next to a pen. A great visual reference for setting up a travel journal or a slim, customizable aesthetic planner system.

Notebook dimensions usually fall into a few distinct families.

The 'A' Series: The Global Standard

This is an elegant sizing system where each size is exactly half the size of the previous one. The larger the number, the smaller the notebook.

  • A7 (2.9 x 4.1 in): A true micro-notebook. Use this strictly for quick grocery lists or jotting down fleeting thoughts on the train.
  • A6 (4.1 x 5.8 in): A compact, portable size. It is pocket-friendly and ideal for quick daily logs, habit tracking, or a secondary carry-around diary. I use A6 notebooks for my junk journals and bullet journals.
  • A5 (5.7 x 8.3 in): The absolute sweet spot. It is exactly half of an A4. A5 is the most popular, versatile choice for daily journaling and bullet journaling. It offers plenty of room to write while still fitting comfortably in most bags.
  • A4 (8.3 x 11.7 in): The size of a standard piece of printer paper. It is large and not very portable, making it best suited for desktop use, extensive study notes, or massive scrapbooking projects.

The 'B' Series: The In-Betweens

If you ever find yourself thinking, "A4 is too big, but A5 is too small," the B-series is your answer. They fill the gaps beautifully.

  • B7 (3.5 x 4.9 in): Another micro-notebook that is slightly bigger than A7. It is easy to carry on the go and perfect for taking down some quick thoughts or creating simple, decorated journal spreads.
  • B6 (4.9 x 6.9 in): The "Goldilocks" size. Slightly roomier than an A6, but much lighter than an A5. It is perfect for personal diaries and creative journaling on the go.
  • B5 (6.9 x 9.8 in): Often called the "composition" size. It is incredibly popular for students or anyone who needs room to ideate without the overwhelming bulk of an A4.

Traveler's Notebooks (TN): The Unconventional Favorites

Unlike standard geometric sizes, TN regular formats are tall and slim. While originally designed by the Traveler's Company, these dimensions have become a beloved standard across the journaling community.

  • TN Regular (4.3 x 8.2 in): Essentially an A4 sheet folded in thirds. This tall, narrow profile is incredibly elegant. It is naturally brilliant for making lists, but it is also the perfect dimension for pasting in travel brochures, flight tickets, and vertical scrapbooking layouts.
  • TN Passport (3.5 x 4.9 in): Exactly the size of a standard passport. It is the ultimate everyday carry for capturing memories while traveling or navigating the city.

Kuura's Lineup

As I think about the notebook sizes to design and launch at Kuura, I focus heavily on those sizes that offer the best balance of aesthetic appeal and daily practicality.

For actual writing, there are the beautifully crafted A5 and A6 unlined notebooks. The A5 serves as a wonderful primary journal, while the A6 is perfect to slip into a bag for daily notes. We will have more styles and sizes coming up, so stay tuned!

To protect journals and notebooks, I designed Journal Covers in three highly adaptable sizes: A5, A6, and A7. Because everyone's system is different, I designed journal covers in two styles: traditional bound sleeves and loose-leaf ring binders.

If you are not sure if you should choose a binder or a traditional bound notebook, check out a detailed guide I wrote earlier: Binders vs. Bound Notebooks: Which is right for you?

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between B5 ISO and B5 JIS?
A: You might notice some B5 notebooks vary slightly in size. B5 (ISO) is the international standard (190 x 250 mm). B5 (JIS) is the Japanese standard (182 x 257 mm), which is just slightly taller and narrower. Both are excellent for desk use, but double-check your cover dimensions if you are buying Japanese stationery.

Q: Which size is best for an absolute beginner?
A: I always recommend starting with an A5 or A6 notebook. It is the standard for a reason. It is not so large that a blank page feels intimidating, but it is spacious enough that your handwriting won't feel cramped when experimenting with different layouts.

Q: Can I mix and match sizes?
A: Absolutely! Many journalers (myself included) use a multi-journal system. You might keep a large A5 or B5 on your desk for long-form memory keeping, while carrying a tiny A6 or TN Passport in your coat pocket to capture ideas throughout the day.

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