What Paper Size & Type Should You Use for Legal Documents

If you're unsure about what size paper you should use for a legal document or the best fonts and formatting to choose, this guide breaks it all down step-by-step.

Why Does Paper Size Matter?

Legal documents often need to communicate information clearly and concisely. The paper size for legal documents ensures there’s ample space for details like clauses, terms, and signature lines, all while maintaining standard formatting that courts and legal professionals recognize.

Using the wrong size or type of paper can lead to confusion and may make your documents look unprofessional.

Typically, legal professionals rely on two main paper sizes:

• Legal Size Paper (8.5” x 14”)

Known as legal paper size, this longer format provides more space for content, making it ideal for official agreements, contracts, and forms. The extra room accommodates multiple signatures or detailed clauses without cramming information onto the page.

• Letter Size Paper (8.5” x 11”)

While shorter, this size is often used for legal correspondence or supporting documents (e.g., emails or depositions). Its standard dimensions make it suitable for general office use.

What Is the Size for Legal Paper?

The measurements of legal size paper are 8.5 inches wide by 14 inches long. This longer format sets it apart from letter-size paper, offering more versatility for complex legal documents.

Court-Approved Fonts for Legal Documents

The font you choose for your documents significantly impacts their readability. Legal documents must be clear and professional, which means avoiding "fancy" or distracting font styles. Here are the most commonly recommended fonts:

• Arial

A clean and modern sans-serif font that’s easy to read both on screens and in print.

• Century & Century Schoolbook

A serif font widely used in the legal field for its classic and highly readable design.

• Verdana

Known for its spacing, Verdana ensures readability even at smaller font sizes.

You might be surprised that popular options like Times New Roman and Calibri, while acceptable, are not the preferred choices in legal settings. And as tempting as it might be, never use novelty fonts like Comic Sans. They make your document appear unprofessional.

Determining the Right Font Size

Font size matters just as much as font type. While there’s no one-size-fits-all requirement, most courts and legal professionals recommend using 12-point font. It strikes the perfect balance between readability and optimal space usage.

Avoid sizes below 12, as they can strain readability, and steer clear of excessively large fonts to avoid wasting space.

How to Format Legal Documents for Maximum Clarity

Once you’ve chosen the correct legal document paper size and font, you’ll want to ensure the document layout is clean, structured, and professional. Follow these tips:

1. Use Standard Margins

Stick to 1-inch margins on all sides unless specific formatting rules require otherwise.

2. Align Text Properly

Left-align your text for a professional appearance and consistent readability.

3. Include Ample White Space

White space helps break up dense paragraphs, making long documents easier to read.

Get Court-Ready Documents in Minutes with Smallpdf

Creating legal documents sounds overwhelming, but we’ve made editing them effortless. At Smallpdf, we provide tools to streamline the formatting, editing, and signing process from start to finish:

• Use pre-approved templates to format your legal documents with the correct paper size and fonts.
• Easily resize pages for your document with our PDF tools to ensure it fits the legal document size paper.
• Add annotations, redact sections, and export your finished documents directly.
• Once complete, use Sign.com to collect legally binding electronic signatures quickly without leaving your browser.

Choosing the right legal document paper size and type can make all the difference in ensuring your documents are professional and court-ready.

Smallpdf is here to simplify the process. From creating, editing, and resizing legal documents to adding secure electronic signatures, we’ve got every tool you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size paper should you use for a legal document?

Most legal documents are printed on 8.5” x 14” (legal size paper), as it provides enough space for detailed content and signatures.

Can legal documents be on colored paper?

Yes, but typically white or cream-colored paper is preferred, as it ensures maximum legibility and a professional appearance.

What is the difference between letter and legal size paper?

The primary difference is the length. Letter paper measures 8.5” x 11”, while legal paper size US is 8.5” x 14”. Legal paper accommodates more text.

How to scale a document to legal paper size?

You can resize your document with tools like Smallpdf, adjusting the dimensions to fit 8.5” x 14” with just a few clicks.

Do legal documents need fancy paper?

No, but using high-quality, bright white paper enhances legibility and gives an overall professional finish.