Standard Book Sizes: Which Dimensions Are Right for Your Book?

When you decide to print your own book, one of the first decisions you need to make is the physical size (the dimensions).

If you are writing your manuscript in Microsoft Word using the default 8.5″ x 11″ (Letter) setting, you might be in for a surprise when you try to print it as a novel!

At BookPrintCanada, we can print almost any custom size you need. However, sticking to standard book sizes is usually the best choice. It feels familiar to readers, fits perfectly on bookstore shelves, and is the most cost-effective way to print.

Here is a quick guide to the most popular standard book sizes we print every day.

1. The “Trade Paperback” (6″ x 9″)

The Absolute Industry Standard.

If you walk into a Canadian bookstore and pick up a softcover fiction or non-fiction book, there is a 90% chance it is a 6×9 inch Trade Paperback.

• Best Used For: Novels, memoirs, self-help books, and business guides.
• Why Choose It: It provides a great balance. The pages are large enough for comfortable text formatting, but the book is still easy to hold in one hand.
• Binding: Usually [Perfect Binding] 

2. The “Digest” Size (5.5″ x 8.5″)

Compact and Classic.

This is exactly half the size of a standard 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of paper. It is slightly narrower and shorter than a trade paperback.

• Best Used For: Poetry collections, short story anthologies, novellas, and small journals.
• Why Choose It: It feels intimate and portable. It’s perfect for shorter manuscripts that might feel too “thin” if printed in a larger 6×9 format.

3. The “Manual / Workbook” (8.5″ x 11″)

The Heavy Lifter.

This is standard US Letter size. While you wouldn’t print a novel this size, it is essential for specific types of publications.

• Best Used For: Corporate training manuals, software guides, employee handbooks, and coloring books.
• Why Choose It: It gives you maximum page space for large charts, graphs, and areas where the reader needs to write notes.
• Binding: This size pairs perfectly with [Coil Binding]  so the manual can lay completely flat on a desk.

Custom Sizes? No Problem.

Do you have a unique vision? Maybe an 8″ x 8″ square children’s book or a custom-sized corporate catalog? Because we use advanced digital printing technology, we aren’t limited to just standard sizes.

Pro Tip: Set Your Size Early!

The biggest mistake new authors make is waiting until the book is finished to change the page size. Changing your Word document from 8.5×11 down to 6×9 will drastically change your page count and mess up your formatting!

Always set your document size BEFORE you start formatting. And once you are done, remember to export it correctly. Check out our guide on [How to Prepare a Print-Ready PDF] 

Have your file ready at the perfect size?
[> Get a Free Custom Quote Today]