What Printer Paper Size Is 11x17?

On this page (7 sections)

1. What printer paper size is 11x17?
2. When is tabloid or ledger paper useful?
3. How do you select 11x17 in printer settings?
4. How do you load 11x17 paper without cropping?
5. Which paper should you use for an 11x17 printer?
6. How can you keep an 11x17 layout from shrinking?
7. How do you choose the right 11x17 printer setting?

11 x 17 in paper is tabloid size, also called ledger size when used in landscape orientation. Set both your document and printer to 11 x 17 in, and check the tray instructions so the sheet feeds the right way.

This size is twice the area of US letter paper, which measures 8.5 x 11 in. It's useful for larger charts, posters, worksheets, and layouts that need more room than a standard page.

What printer paper size is 11x17?

11 x 17 in is tabloid paper in portrait orientation and ledger paper in landscape orientation. The sheet measures 279.4 x 431.8 mm.

The names can vary across printer menus. Look for “Tabloid,” “Ledger,” or a custom size showing 11 x 17 in, and confirm the orientation separately.

A3 is a nearby international size, but it is not interchangeable with 11 x 17 in. A3 measures 297 x 420 mm, so choosing A3 can shift margins or scale the page.

What does the 11x17 paper size mean for a printer?

The 11 x 17 paper size means the printer needs to accept a sheet that is 11 in wide and 17 in long. A printer that only lists letter, legal, or A4 sizes may not support it.

Check your printer's supported media sizes and the tray or feed path before buying paper. A manual feed slot may accept some larger sheets, but don't assume it does unless the manual confirms it.

When is tabloid or ledger paper useful?

Use tabloid or ledger paper when a page needs more space than letter paper provides. Common examples include large spreadsheets, diagrams, event posters, school handouts, and two-page layouts printed on one sheet.

A landscape ledger page gives a wide canvas for tables and schedules. A portrait tabloid page offers more vertical space for diagrams or larger text.

If you're printing classroom materials, see How to Print School Worksheets at Home? for tips on choosing a page layout and checking print settings.

How do you select 11x17 in printer settings?

Set the document size and printer paper size to 11 x 17 in before printing. Matching both settings helps prevent scaling, cropping, and unexpected white space.

1. Open the document's page setup or layout settings.
2. Choose Tabloid, Ledger, or a custom size of 11 x 17 in.
3. Set portrait or landscape orientation to match the page.
4. Open the printer dialog and select the same size.
5. Load the sheet according to the printer's tray markings or manual.
6. Print a test page and check the margins and direction.

If the print preview shows a letter-size page, go back to the document settings before printing. Changing only the printer dialog may scale the content without changing the document layout.

For detailed steps across common software and printer dialogs, follow how to print 11x17 on printer.

Why does the printer show Tabloid or Ledger instead of 11 x 17?

Tabloid and Ledger are common menu names for the 11 x 17 in sheet. The label may depend on the driver or the orientation you select.

Choose the option that shows the correct dimensions if the menu includes both a name and measurements. If neither appears, check for a custom-size option and verify that your printer supports it before entering 11 in by 17 in.

What if 11x17 isn't in the paper-size menu?

If 11 x 17 in isn't available, check the manual and printer driver before trying a custom size. The printer may not support the sheet, or its software may need a different tray or feed option selected.

Don't force an oversized sheet into a tray that isn't designed for it. The paper may feed at an angle or get stuck, and the printer's manual has the final word on supported sizes.

How do you load 11x17 paper without cropping?

Load 11 x 17 paper in the orientation shown by your printer's tray markings. The correct edge to feed first depends on the printer, so check the manual rather than guessing.

Make sure the paper guides touch the edges without bending the sheet. Set the document and printer orientation to the same direction, then inspect the preview before printing.

Printers usually leave a margin around the edge that they cannot print on. If the design reaches the edge, use a borderless mode only if your printer offers it for 11 x 17 paper; otherwise, leave room for the printable area.

Which paper should you use for an 11x17 printer?

Choose paper that matches both your printer's supported size and the job. The products below are legal-size paper or a keepsake book, not 11 x 17 paper, so they won't substitute for tabloid sheets.

Boise X-9 is 8.5 x 14 in legal-size multipurpose paper. It may suit legal documents, but it is shorter than 11 x 17 in.

Hammermill Printer Paper is also legal size at 8.5 x 14 in, in a 500-sheet ream. Choose it for legal-size printing, not for a layout that requires 11 x 17 in.

You're The Biggest is an 8.5 x 8.5 in hardcover book, not printer paper. It can serve as a keepsake gift, but it won't work as a blank sheet for a printer.

For color projects, first confirm the printer supports the paper type and size you need. These guides cover which side of sublimation paper to print on, the best sublimation paper for an inkjet printer, and the best photo paper for an inkjet printer.

For check printing, paper size is only one part of the setup. Read Can You Print Checks with an Inkjet Printer? and follow your bank's requirements for check stock and layout.

How can you keep an 11x17 layout from shrinking?

Use the same 11 x 17 in size in your document and printer settings, then review the preview for scaling. “Fit to page” can reduce content to fit the printable area, while “actual size” preserves the document's dimensions.

If the design is larger than the printer's printable area, leave margins or adjust the layout. Borderless printing varies by printer and paper type, so check the manual before relying on it.

How do you choose the right 11x17 printer setting?

For 11 x 17 printing, choose Tabloid or Ledger only when the dimensions match 11 x 17 in. Select portrait for a taller page and landscape for a wider one, then verify the tray orientation and print preview.

If your printer doesn't support that size, use a printer with a compatible tray or feed path. For other paper jobs, match the paper dimensions and type to the printer before loading it.

Frequently asked questions

Is 11 x 17 paper called tabloid or ledger?

Both names refer to 11 x 17 in paper. Tabloid usually describes portrait orientation, while ledger is often used for the same sheet turned landscape.

Printer menus may show either name, so check the dimensions before choosing.

Is 11 x 17 paper the same as A3?

No. 11 x 17 in measures 279.4 x 431.8 mm, while A3 measures 297 x 420 mm.

They are close in size, but their proportions differ, so an A3 setting may scale or crop an 11 x 17 document.

Can every printer print on 11 x 17 paper?

No. The printer must support the sheet width and length, and it needs a compatible tray or manual feed path.

Check the printer manual or paper-size menu for tabloid, ledger, or 11 x 17 in before buying paper.

Why is my 11 x 17 print cropped?

Cropping can happen when the document size, printer paper setting, feed orientation, or printable area doesn't match. Set both the document and printer to 11 x 17 in, then use fit-to-page or adjust margins if the printer cannot print to the edges.