Foolscap paper, also known as foolscap folio or FC, typically comes in two primary sizes: 8.5 × 13.5 inches (216 × 343 mm) for printing, and 8 × 13 inches (203 × 330 mm) for standard writing paper. The term "full scape" is a common misspelling of "foolscap."
Understanding Foolscap Paper Sizes
Foolscap is a traditional paper size that was once widely used, particularly in Commonwealth countries. Its unique dimensions make it distinct from more globally common sizes like A4 or Letter. The specific dimensions can vary slightly depending on its intended use:
- For Printing: When used for documents intended for printing, such as legal forms or official reports, foolscap is generally larger.
- For Writing: For everyday writing tasks, notebooks, or notepads, the "normal" foolscap size is slightly smaller.
Here’s a breakdown of the standard foolscap dimensions:
| Purpose | Imperial Dimensions | Metric Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| For Printing | 8.5 × 13.5 inches | 216 × 343 mm |
| For Writing | 8 × 13 inches | 203 × 330 mm |
Historical Context and Usage
The name "foolscap" originates from the traditional watermark of a fool's cap and bells, which was historically used on paper of this size. While less common in daily use today compared to ISO A-series (like A4) or North American letter sizes, foolscap still has relevance in certain contexts.
- Legal Documents: In some legal and governmental settings, particularly in countries with historical ties to the British Commonwealth, foolscap paper or folders are still utilized. This is often due to legacy systems and the need for consistency with historical archives.
- Archival Purposes: Older documents and records are often found in foolscap size, making it necessary to maintain an understanding of its dimensions for archival, copying, and scanning purposes.
- Stationery: While rarer, some specialized stationery or notebooks might still be produced in foolscap dimensions, especially for those who prefer the traditional size.
Why the Different Sizes?
The slight difference between printing and writing paper sizes reflects historical manufacturing practices and practical considerations:
- Manufacturing Tolerances: Early paper manufacturing had wider tolerances, leading to slight variations.
- Trimming for Use: Paper for writing often needed to be trimmed slightly smaller for ease of handling in notebooks or for binding, whereas printing paper might be cut to maximize yield from larger sheets.
Comparing Foolscap to Other Common Paper Sizes
To put foolscap into perspective, here's how its "for printing" size compares to some other widely used paper dimensions:
- Foolscap (Printing): 8.5 × 13.5 inches (216 × 343 mm)
- Letter (North America): 8.5 × 11 inches (216 × 279 mm)
- Legal (North America): 8.5 × 14 inches (216 × 356 mm)
- A4 (ISO Standard): 8.27 × 11.69 inches (210 × 297 mm)
As you can see, foolscap is longer than both Letter and A4, and slightly shorter than Legal paper in the US. This unique length means that printing documents intended for foolscap on A4 or Letter paper would require scaling, which can distort formatting.
For more information on standard paper sizes, you can refer to resources like Wikipedia's Paper Sizes page.
