Are you on the hunt for the perfect planner to boost your productivity and keep your life organized?
Being a mom is a full-time job that requires juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities. Here are a few reasons why planners are a good idea for busy moms:
A planner helps keep track of all the appointments, school events, chores, and tasks that need to be done. It’s a one-stop-shop for all the things a mom needs to remember.
With a planner, moms can allocate time for each task effectively. It helps in managing time between household chores, kids’ activities, personal time, and work.
They help with time management, stress management, and so much more.
So, for all the busy moms out there, a planner could be a lifesaver. But planner sizes and styles might be hard to figure out and find what would work best for you.
Choosing the right planner size can make all the difference in your planning experience.
Let’s explore the various planner sizes and find the one that fits your needs like a glove.
Key Takeaways
- Find the perfect planner size for your needs, from personal size to paper size, and stuff even bigger if you need it.
- Consider what you need your planner for to help pick between the planner sizes
- Also, think about using binders & printables to form a more custom planner with ready-to-fill-in sheets.
- Get the right paper type & size to make planning easy and efficient.
- Want to know more about using a planner? Learn how to use a planner effectively and see what size you need.
Planner Sizes
Different sizes are available for planners because one size doesn’t suit everyone. Planners come in various sizes, such as:
- A4
- A5
- A6
- Letter
- Medium
- Half Letter
Let’s get into more detail on these paper sizes and what might work for you:
A4 (8.2 X 11.7 Inches)
A4 is a planner size that offers ample room to write, making it ideal for those who love detailed notes or have bigger handwriting.
If you’re from the U.S., this paper is taller than typical printer paper and shorter horizontally, which can be great for to-do lists (see Letter Size below).
However, the larger size leads to increased weight, making A4 planners bulky and tall, making these potentially inconvenient to transport, particularly if you have numerous planner pages.
Nevertheless, if a spacious writing area takes precedence over easy transportation for you, A4 could be your ideal choice.
A5 (5.8 X 8.2 Inches)
A5 planners strike a balance between portability and spaciousness, making them a popular choice for personal planners on the go.
Slightly wider and shorter than half-letter US size (see below), A5 planners can easily fit in your bag while still offering enough room for your daily planning needs.
This is a very popular size for discbound system planners, which can come with premade sheets and designs that you can swap up and replace every year.
It’s a popular system, however, be aware that the cost of an A5 planners can get high due to additional inserts and pages each year compared to buying new or making your own planner.
A6 (3.74 x 6.73 inches)
If you’re looking for a more compact option, A6 size might be the one for you. It’s known at the smaller size, and portable to fit in most bags.
Measuring 3.74 by 6.73 inches, A6 planners are small and easy to carry around.
However, they offer limited space writing, which makes them ideal for quick notes and lists rather than extensive note-taking.
I think it’s great for thoughts on the go and last minute lists, but I don’t use this size as my main planner that has our big plans and to-do lists.
Letter Size (8.5 X 11 Inches)
Letter size is a common US planner size that offers plenty of space for detailed notes and schedules.
It’s actually a common paper size for most printer and is the standard US letter size across the board.
Measuring 8.5 x 11 inches, this size is perfect for business planners or those who need extra room for extensive note-taking.
However, Letter size planners can be weighty and large, reducing their portability and potentially making them more expensive compared to smaller options.
Medium Size (7 X 9 Inches)
The medium size (7×9 inches) is a more versatile option that strikes a balance between portability and plenty of writing room.
This size is suitable for various planning purposes, from daily tasks to long-term goals.
Amazon offers great medium size planner options, including ring-bound planners with a customizable planner page and efficient planner systems, all within the same planner.
If you seek a planner that can readily adapt to your fluctuating requirements, a medium-sized planner might be your ideal choice.
Half Letter Size (8.5 X 5.5 In)
Half Letter size is about half the US Letter size and slightly larger than A5, making it popular for journals and diaries.
Measuring 8.5 x 5.5 inches, this size provides more portability but sacrifices some writing room.
I like that it’s more tall than it is wide, compared to A5, giving me the feel of a smaller notebook versus a calendar square if that makes sense.
Pocket Size (3.2 X 4.7 Inches)
For those who value portability above all and have small penmanship, Pocket size is the smallest planner size available, even smaller than A6.
Measuring 3.19 x 4.72 inches, Pocket size is perfect for quick notes and lists.
However, due to its limited writing room, it’s not recommended for extensive note-taking or detailed planning.
Not unless you can write smaller than small, which I can’t!!
Tips For Creating Your Planner
Now, having known different planner sizes and their benefits, here are some my top tips to help you create an ideal planner:
Decide What You Need To Plan
Before choosing a planner size, it’s important to identify its intended use. Are you planning to use it for extensive note-taking, journaling, or just brief lists?
The purpose of your planner will affect the size that best suits your needs.
For example, if you need a planner for managing tasks and appointments, then a smaller, more portable size might be best.
On the other hand, if you’re using it for project planning or goal setting, then you might need a larger size with more writing room.
I have multiple planners specifically because I may need to write things down on the go, and a full size planner is best for at home but doesn’t fit in my purse.
Consider Binders & Printables
Do you prefer ring binders, book binders, or discbound systems?
You can actually use printables to create your own planenr with a custom system and layout to use however you please.
DIY printables allow you to tailor your planner to your specific needs while pre-made options offer convenience and a professional look.
You can use my own inserts to get started- my site has freebies galore, but my Chaos To Control Bundle shows off all the great binder planners you can use to get your life planned and organized.
Get Papers For Your Planner
Finally, selecting the appropriate paper size and type for your planner is important. Consider factors like portability, writing space, and compatibility with your chosen binder system.
Thicker paper, such as 90 gsm to 120 gsm, is recommended to provide a better planning experience with more durable pages, but it does make your planner heavier.
FAQs
Why should I use a planner?
A planner can significantly enhance your organization skills, time management, and productivity levels. It promotes a more balanced and satisfying lifestyle.
By providing a structured way to track tasks, appointments, and goals, planners can help you:
- Stay on top of your schedule
- Allocate time efficiently
- Set achievable goals
- Prioritize tasks
- Monitor habits
What’s a classic planner for?
A classic planner typically refers to a medium-sized planner (7×9 inches) that offers a balance between portability and writing space.
This size is suitable for various planning purposes, including:
- Daily tasks
- Weekly schedules
- Monthly goals
- Long-term plans
A classic planner allows you to manage both professional and personal aspects of your life, offering structure and adaptability for all your planning requirements.
What are the typical planner sizes?
Typical planner paper sizes include:
- A4
- A5
- A6 (Personal Size)
- Letter (Paper Size)
- Medium
- Half Letter
Each size comes with its own advantages and limitations, catering to different planning needs and preferences.
For example, A4 and Letter sizes offer ample writing space but are less portable, while Pocket size is highly portable but has limited writing space.
It’s essential to choose the right planner based on your requirements, whether you need the same size as your previous one or a different one.
I particularly use a paper planner because writing things out by hand helps me better organize my thoughts and plans, and bigger paper sizes are a must.
What pens do you use for a planner?
I have many pens for planners that I will use my planners, to do lists, calendars, and more.
The Pilot G2 is my absolute favorite because of its smooth writing, great color options, and how easy the ink is to read.
What are A5 planners?
A5 planners are slightly wider and shorter than their half-letter U.S. counterparts, offering a balance between portability and writing space.
Measuring 5.83 x 8.27 inches, A5 planners provide enough room for daily planning activities while remaining easy to carry.
Furthermore, A5 planners work with several binder systems, offering versatility and adaptability to a range of planning needs.
What size is a calendar planner?
A calendar planner can come in a variety of sizes, such as 11” x 8.5” for wall calendars, 8.5” x 11” for poster calendars, 4” x 6” or 4” x 8” for magnetic calendars and more for small calendars.
What size is a B5 planner?
A B5 planner is 6.9″x9.9″ in size, also referred to as an Extra-Large notebook or Composition notebook. This size provides plenty of blank space for plotting and planning your daily tasks.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right planner page sizes is essential for boosting productivity, staying organized, and achieving a balanced lifestyle.
Whether you want to create a meal planner or budget planner, the right size changes how well it works.
By understanding the various planner sizes, you can create a personalized planning system that fits your unique needs and preferences.
I highly suggest you use a binder (letter size) and printables to get started, with plenty of writing space as well as designed sheets for many to-do lists and planning situations.
So go ahead and find your perfect planner size, and embrace a more organized and fulfilling life.
