Ever catch yourself staring at your iPad, unsure which paper size will actually work for your digital notes? You’re not alone. Whether you’re a student capturing lecture material, a professional organizing meetings, or an artist sketching ideas, paper size in GoodNotes plays a bigger role than most people realize.
After extensive hands-on testing across different projects, one thing becomes clear fast: the wrong paper size can ruin momentum. A canvas that’s too small forces constant adjustments, while one that’s too large turns navigation into a chore. Choosing the right size from the start saves time, effort, and frustration.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about GoodNotes paper sizes, from standard formats to custom dimensions, so you can choose the perfect canvas for how you actually work.
Standard Paper Sizes in GoodNotes
GoodNotes includes a range of paper sizes based on real-world standards. All options support both portrait and landscape orientations:
- US Letter (8.5 × 11 inches) – Commonly used in the United States
- A4 (210 × 297 mm) – The international standard
- A5 (148 × 210 mm) – Compact and portable, half of A4
- B5 (176 × 250 mm) – Mid-sized, between A4 and A5
- Square (iPad screen-based) – Optimized for the device display
- Custom sizes – Fully adjustable for specific workflows
Understanding these options upfront helps you avoid resizing later and keeps your notes consistent.
Why Paper Size Matters in Digital Note-Taking
Paper size isn’t just a visual preference. It directly affects how you work.
1. Readability and Structure
The right size gives your content room to breathe. Pages that are too small feel cramped, while oversized pages encourage unnecessary scrolling. A well-matched size naturally improves organization and clarity.
2. Printing Accuracy
If you plan to print notes, standard sizes like A4 or US Letter ensure proper margins and scaling. What you see on your iPad is what ends up on paper.
3. Device Compatibility
Screen size matters. Larger iPads handle US Letter or A4 comfortably, while smaller devices often feel smoother with A5 or B5, reducing the need for constant zooming.
4. Sharing and Exporting
Standard formats export cleanly across platforms. A4, in particular, works reliably when sharing PDFs across different devices and operating systems.
Common Paper Sizes and When to Use Them
US Letter (8.5 × 11 inches)
Best for detailed academic or professional notes. The generous space allows diagrams, formulas, and long-form text to coexist without clutter. Ideal if you plan to print later.
A4 (210 × 297 mm)
Excellent for formal documents, reports, and research notes. Its balanced proportions make it a global favorite for professional work.
A5 (148 × 210 mm)
Perfect for planners, daily notes, and quick meetings. The smaller size encourages concise writing and minimizes scrolling, especially on compact iPads.
B5 (176 × 250 mm)
A flexible middle ground. Great for journaling, creative writing, and sketch notes where A5 feels tight but A4 feels excessive.
Square (iPad-based dimensions)
Ideal for mind maps, brainstorming, and visual planning. The equal proportions support non-linear thinking and diagram-heavy workflows.
Custom Sizes
Best for specialized tasks like presentation slides, flashcards, storyboards, or design layouts. Custom ratios such as 16:9 work especially well for screen-based presentations.
Choosing the Right Paper Size by Use Case
For Students
- Lecture notes: US Letter or A4
- Quick revision sheets: A5
- Language learning: B5
For Professionals
- Meeting notes: A5
- Project planning: Square
- Presentations: Custom 16:9
For Creatives
- Sketching: A4 landscape or Square
- Journaling: A5 or B5
- Storyboarding: Custom sizes matching final output
Creating Custom Templates for Efficiency
Pairing the right paper size with templates makes GoodNotes far more powerful:
- Identify your main use cases
- Design or import templates at the correct size
- Save them to your template library
Using size-specific templates for planners, lecture notes, or brainstorming keeps everything consistent and fast to access.
See Also: Running Track Sizes: Everything You Need to Know
Managing Multiple Paper Sizes Effectively
- Use visual cues: Different cover designs for different sizes
- Organize folders: Group notebooks by size or purpose
- Standardize when collaborating: Stick to A4 or US Letter for shared work
This prevents constant adjustment when switching between notebooks.
Paper Size and Workflow Integration
Your paper size should fit into your broader digital setup:
- PDF annotation: Match page size to avoid scaling issues
- Printing: Use standard sizes for predictable output
- Split-screen use: A5 and B5 remain readable in reduced windows
Smaller formats often perform better when multitasking.
Writing Comfort and Handwriting Scale
Paper size affects how natural writing feels:
- Larger pages support larger handwriting
- Smaller pages encourage compact writing
- Excessive zoom disrupts flow
GoodNotes’ Zoom Box feature helps maintain consistent handwriting size across all formats.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right paper size in GoodNotes isn’t a technical detail. It’s a workflow decision.
A practical setup often looks like this:
- A5 for daily notes and planners
- B5 for journaling and creative writing
- US Letter or A4 for structured documentation
- Custom sizes for special projects
Experiment. Adjust. Let the paper size fade into the background so your focus stays on ideas, not formatting.
The best paper size is the one you stop noticing because everything just works.
