Planner size is one of those decisions that seems almost trivial until you are several months into actually using one, and either delighted or quietly frustrated by how it fits — or does not fit — into your bag, your desk, and your daily routine. Two of the most common sizes, A5 and A6, each have genuinely distinct strengths, and the right choice depends considerably more on your actual daily habits than on which one simply looks nicer in a product photo.
A5, roughly 148 by 210 millimetres, sits at a size comparable to a standard half-sheet of paper — large enough for generous writing space, but still reasonably compact. A6, roughly 105 by 148 millimetres, is closer to a large postcard or a small notebook — genuinely pocket-sized, prioritising portability above all else.
This guide breaks down exactly how each size performs across the factors that matter most in daily use, so you can choose based on how you actually plan, rather than guessing from a size comparison chart alone.
A5 Planners: The Case For
Generous writing space supports detailed daily and weekly planning. A5’s larger dimensions provide genuinely comfortable room for writing multiple tasks, notes, and details without feeling cramped, particularly valuable for anyone who writes more than a few brief words per entry.
Better suited to elaborate planning systems with multiple sections. If your planning system includes several distinct components — daily tasks, habit tracking, goal setting, notes — A5’s larger page size accommodates this complexity considerably more comfortably than a smaller format would allow.
More comfortable for extended writing sessions. For anyone who journals, brainstorms, or writes at length within their planner, A5’s larger writing surface reduces the cramped, constrained feeling that a smaller page can produce during longer writing sessions.
Easier to read at a glance, particularly for anyone who prefers larger handwriting or needs to reference their plan from a slight distance, such as when propped open on a desk rather than held directly.
A5 Planners: The Case Against
Considerably less portable, particularly for anyone who wants to carry their planner in a bag alongside other items throughout the day. A5’s larger footprint takes up meaningfully more space and adds more weight than A6, a real consideration for anyone prioritising a minimal daily carry.
Less discreet for use in public or professional settings where a smaller, less conspicuous planner might feel more appropriate. The larger size is simply more noticeable when used during a meeting or in a public space.
Can feel excessive for someone with genuinely minimal planning needs. If your actual planning requirements are relatively simple — a short daily task list, nothing more — A5’s generous space may go largely unused, feeling like more planner than genuinely necessary.
A6 Planners: The Case For
Genuinely pocket-sized and easy to carry everywhere, without requiring a bag at all in many cases. A6’s compact dimensions mean it can travel in a coat pocket, a small bag, or even a large trouser pocket, making it available in situations where a larger planner would be impractical to bring along.
Lightweight, adding minimal bulk to whatever you are already carrying. For anyone who travels light or already carries several other items daily, A6 adds negligible additional weight or bulk.
Encourages brevity and focus, which some people find genuinely clarifying. The limited space naturally discourages excessive detail, pushing toward concise, essential entries rather than lengthy elaboration — a constraint some people find helpful rather than limiting.
More discreet for use in professional or public settings, where a smaller planner feels less conspicuous to open and reference during a meeting or while out.
A6 Planners: The Case Against
Limited writing space can feel genuinely constraining for anyone with more detailed planning needs. If your planning style involves writing more than a few brief words per task, A6’s smaller page can quickly feel cramped and insufficient.
Less suitable for elaborate, multi-section planning systems. Habit tracking, detailed notes, and multiple distinct sections are considerably harder to accommodate comfortably within A6’s smaller page dimensions.
Can require smaller, more careful handwriting, which some people find genuinely difficult to sustain comfortably, particularly for anyone who does not naturally write in a compact hand.
Less comfortable for extended writing or journaling within the planner itself. For anyone who wants to write at any length beyond brief task entries, A6’s limited space becomes a genuine constraint.
Matching Planner Size to Your Actual Life
If you carry a bag daily regardless of your planner — a work bag, a school bag, a regular handbag — A5’s portability drawback becomes considerably less significant, since the planner is simply one more item within a bag you are carrying anyway. In this case, prioritise A5’s writing space advantage without much concern about its larger footprint.
If you frequently move around without a bag, or want your planner accessible without needing one, A6’s genuine pocket portability matters considerably more. For anyone who wants their planner available even during brief errands or commutes without a bag, A6’s compact size is a genuine, practical advantage worth prioritising.
If your planning system involves multiple distinct sections — habit tracking, goal setting, detailed notes — A5 accommodates this complexity considerably more comfortably. A6 can work for multi-section systems, but often requires either smaller handwriting or accepting a more limited version of each section than A5 would allow.
If you specifically want your planning to stay brief and focused, avoiding excessive elaboration, A6’s natural space constraint can be a genuine feature rather than a limitation. Some people find that a smaller format actively supports the kind of concise, essential planning they are aiming for, rather than experiencing the limited space as purely restrictive.
If you primarily use your planner at a desk rather than carrying it throughout the day, portability matters less, and A5’s larger writing space becomes the more relevant consideration. For a planner that mostly stays in one location, prioritise the writing and viewing comfort A5 provides over A6’s portability advantage.
Considering a Combination Approach
Some people find genuine value in using two different planner sizes for different purposes, rather than committing to a single size for everything.
A5 for a primary weekly or daily planning system kept mainly at a desk, paired with A6 for a portable notes or quick-capture notebook carried throughout the day. This combination provides A5’s generous space for detailed planning alongside A6’s genuine portability for capturing quick notes or tasks on the go, later transferred into the primary A5 system during a regular planning session.
A6 for a portable daily task list, paired with A5 for a less frequently accessed weekly or monthly overview kept at home or in an office. This arrangement prioritises portability for daily use while retaining A5’s space advantage for less frequently referenced, more detailed planning views.
Why Printable Formats Make This Decision Lower-Stakes
One of the genuine advantages of choosing a printable planner system, regardless of which size you ultimately choose, is that the decision carries considerably lower stakes than committing to a single bound planner in a fixed size.
If you choose one size and later find it does not suit you as well as expected, switching to a different size costs only the price of printing new pages, rather than an entirely new bound planner purchase. This makes experimenting with size considerably more accessible than it would be with a traditional, pre-bound format.
Many printable planner bundles offer the same layouts available in multiple sizes, allowing you to print your preferred pages in whichever size genuinely suits you, without needing to compromise on your preferred layout or system structure to accommodate a specific size limitation.
Elabrille’s printable planner bundles are available in both A5 and A6 formats, using the same underlying layouts across both sizes, so switching between them — or using both simultaneously for different purposes — does not require abandoning a system you have already invested time in learning and using.
Pulling It All Together
The choice between A5 and A6 comes down almost entirely to a single, genuine trade-off: writing space and system complexity versus portability and discretion. Neither size is objectively superior — each serves a genuinely different set of priorities, and the right choice depends on how you actually carry and use a planner throughout your real, daily life, not on an abstract comparison of dimensions alone.
Consider how you already carry other items daily, how detailed your planning system genuinely needs to be, and whether portability or writing space matters more for your specific circumstances. And if you are genuinely uncertain, a printable format makes experimenting with both sizes a low-cost, low-risk way to find out through actual use, rather than guessing in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between A5 and A6 planner sizes?
A5 measures roughly 148 by 210 millimetres, comparable to a half-sheet of standard paper, offering generous writing space. A6 measures roughly 105 by 148 millimetres, closer to a large postcard, prioritising genuine pocket portability over writing space.
Which planner size is better for beginners?
This depends on your specific habits rather than experience level. A5 tends to suit beginners with more elaborate planning needs or multiple sections, while A6 suits beginners prioritising simplicity, brevity, and genuine portability. Consider your actual daily carrying habits and planning complexity rather than defaulting to one size based on inexperience alone.
Can I fit a full weekly spread in an A6 planner?
Yes, though the available space per day will be considerably more limited than in A5, often requiring smaller handwriting or more concise entries. A6 works well for brief, essential weekly planning but can feel constraining for anyone who prefers writing more detailed entries per day.
Is A5 too big to carry around daily?
Not necessarily, particularly if you already carry a bag daily for other reasons. A5 becomes a more significant portability concern specifically for anyone who prefers to move around without a bag or wants a genuinely pocket-sized option available at all times.
Should I choose based on what looks nicer or what will actually work for my routine?
Choose based on your actual daily habits and planning needs rather than appearance alone. A planner that looks appealing but does not fit comfortably into how you actually carry and use it day to day is considerably more likely to be abandoned than one chosen specifically for genuine practical fit, regardless of how each size compares aesthetically.