Understanding Planner Sizes: A Guide On Choosing The Right One

The right planner can empower you to be organized like you’ve never been before! These handy tools make managing the chaos of your day-to-day life a breeze, giving you more space to create your dream life. But when it comes to choosing the ideal planner, there's more to consider than what you're going to use it for.

You should spend some time thinking about the size of your planner so it can fit seamlessly into your day-to-day experience (and your favorite bag!). Plus, the size you choose can impact your planner's overall functionality. So it's kind of a big deal! Luckily, we're here to help guide you through picking the perfect planner size.

Choosing the right planner size is less intimidating than it seems. You'll need to consider your personal preferences along with your daily habits, lifestyle, and layout preference. But worry not, you’ve got this!

There are three common planners sizes that should meet your needs - starting with the standard A5 planner.

A5 (5.8” x 8.3”)

If you want a smaller planner that still feels substantial, you should consider the A5 planner: The A5 is big enough to accommodate more extensive note-taking and is often used for bullet journaling, goal tracking, and general personal organization.

With plenty of room for writing, doodling, and more, the A5 is still compact enough to carry around with you. It's also a great choice for different layout options.

Regular/Medium Size (7” x 9”)

As you may have guessed, the medium planner is a mid-sized option that offers more space than an A5 without being too bulky. It's great for daily or weekly planning and is more versatile than the smaller options on the market. In fact, this size works well if you need a good amount of space without the heaviness of a full-sized planner.

Large (8.5” x 11”)

The Large planner has a paper size of 8.5" x 11". If you need more planning space or want the extra writing room to be as detailed as possible with notes or lists, then this is the ideal choice for you. However, the larger size may make it a little more cumbersome to carry around if you're using it as an on-the-go planner.

Factors To Consider When Choosing A Planner Size

When you're choosing a planner size, you'll want to think about how you're going to use it. To make this decision a bit easier, we've listed some of the factors you should consider before you buy your next planner.

Portability

If you're someone who is always on the move, you're not going to want to lug around a big, bulky planner. Instead, you may want to pick something on the smaller side, such as the A5 planner. You can simply toss these planners in your bag without them weighing you down.

It's tough to choose between functionality and size, though. Sometimes, you need something a little smaller but still need enough writing space to stay organized. Fortunately, our customizable planner options allow you to add all of the sections you need without compromising on portability.

Planning style

Next, you'll want to consider the way you plan. Do you prefer taking notes in shorthand or writing simple to-do lists? Then a smaller planner may be the better choice.

On the other hand, you may be more meticulous and enjoy jotting down notes and plans in more detail. If that sounds like you, then you're definitely going to want a regular or large planner.

Activities

The type of activities you're using your planner for also makes an impact in the size you'll need. For instance, using a planner for journaling will require more space than one for scheduling appointments.

Home or family planning

Do you want to use your planner for home or family planning? You may also be interested in using it for goal setting, financial tracking, recipes, or simply to keep track of your kids' extracurricular activities. No matter what you're using your planner for, a bigger planner could be better suited to these purposes.

Since you can keep your planner at home on a desk or counter, you don't have to worry about portability. So why not give yourself enough space to plan everything related to your home and family?

Children and teens

Larger planners are awesome for students - including younger kids and teens. This is because they may need a little more space to write, especially if their handwriting isn't super refined. Plus, they'll be easy to find among their school supplies.

Teens will also typically need more space to include their school work, class notes, information on their extracurriculars, and even creative writing projects.

College students and young professionals

Like teens, college students usually need a little more space in their planners. However, it should still be portable enough to take onto campus. For this reason, a regular planner is best since it can slip into their backpack and still provide them with enough room to take notes during class.

While the same may be true for young professionals, there are a few additional considerations to keep in mind. For example, professionals who work in an office may need a planner that is portable and won't take up much space.

FAQs

What are standard planner sizes?

Since there's no 'one-size-fits-all' option, standard planner sizes will typically vary. However, the most common sizes typically include:

• A5 planners (5.8” x 8.3”)
• Medium planners (7" x 9")
• Large planners (8.5” x 11”)

What is the best planner size?

The best planner size will entirely depend on what you're looking for in a planner. For instance, if you want something that's easy to carry around, an A5 planner is a great pick. But if you like to be a little more detailed in your planning, then you may find it easier to use a medium or large planner.

Ultimately, the right size is one that suits your lifestyle and needs. That way, you can stay organized without feeling overwhelmed!

Final Thoughts

Although there are tons of planner sizes on the market, finding the perfect planner is easier than you'd think. It all boils down to one simple question: How do you want to use your planner?

Whether you want something you can slip into your bag or you're focused on taking more extensive notes at work, there's a planner out there that's right for you.

Still, if you're feeling unsure about your options (or you want a little more freedom), then you can always customize your planner with Plum Paper.