What Is 11×17 Called on Printer? | The Two Names to Know

If you’ve ever hunted through a print dialog for this size and come up empty, the reason is simple: it hides under more than one name. Depending on your printer, its driver, or the software you’re using, the same sheet might appear as Tabloid, Ledger, 11×17, or ANSI B. Knowing these interchangeable names is the difference between a quick print job and a frustrating search. This size is a North American standard, not an ISO metric one, which is why it doesn’t match up neatly with A-series paper like A3.

Why Does 11×17 Have Two Common Names?

Both names describe the same physical sheet, but the orientation differs. A sheet in portrait orientation (taller than it is wide) is called Tabloid. Rotate that same sheet to landscape, and the identical paper is called Ledger.

Ricoh USA’s glossary confirms that this paper is classified as tabloid, ledger, and B-size, and it falls under the ANSI B standard in the ANSI/ASME Y14.1 specification. Cornell Library’s paper-size reference lists the same dimensions: Ledger (US) = 279.4 × 431.8 mm = 11 × 17 in. So whichever name your printer shows, the physical paper is identical.

Exact Specifications for 11×17 Paper

Here’s the precise breakdown of the sheet and its naming conventions:

Is 11×17 the Same as A3?

No, 11×17 and A3 are not the same size, even though they’re close. A3 measures 297 × 420 mm (about 11.69 × 16.54 inches), which makes it slightly narrower and taller than 11×17. Printers that support one size don’t automatically support the other, and print dialogs treat them as distinct paper types. If your document is set to A3, it won’t automatically fit 11×17 paper without scaling or cropping.

Which Name Do You Select in the Print Dialog?

Since naming varies by manufacturer and software, check the paper-size dropdown for Tabloid or Ledger first. Some drivers list both, and some list only one. HP and Canon drivers commonly use “Tabloid,” while Ricoh and some professional print drivers use “Ledger” or “11×17.” Many architectural and CAD programs default to “ANSI B” — the same sheet under its formal standard name.

If your printer’s specifications say it supports 11×17, the paper size will appear under at least one of these names. When you select it manually, the print dialog should display the sheet dimensions to confirm you’ve chosen correctly. If your device doesn’t support this size at all, you’ll need a printer rated for it, and for heavy architectural drafting work, the best 11×17 printer for architects roundup breaks down models built for exactly that workload.

Ricoh USA’s glossary entry on 11×17 paper confirms the ANSI B classification and the tabloid/ledger naming conventions.