I do a TON of printables for my website. I get quite a few reader questions, and one that keeps popping up is “how do I resize this printable to fit my planner?”. So I dug out my calculator, did some research, and have the answer for you.
For both methods, you use free Adobe Acrobat reader to read the pdf file. The screenshots below use Adobe Acrobat.
There are three methods (I’ll go into details with screenshots below):
1) Use non-standard paper
2) Use regular paper, enter custom size, and cut off excess paper.
3) Use regular paper, enter percentage, and cut off excess paper.
You’ll need to measure your planner page size to figure out which method works best for you. Here are common paper sizes:
a3- 11.75” x 16.5”
a4- 8.25” x 11.75”
a5- 5 & 7/8” x 8.25”
a6- 4 & 1/8″ x 5 & 7/8″
b5- 6.93” x 9.85”
5” x 7”
4” x 6”
If your planner is one of these, lucky you! Adobe is going to do all the work of re-adjusting. All you need is to buy the appropriate size paper and use Method #1 below.
If your planner is NOT one of those, don’t worry. You’re going to scroll down to Methods 2 & 3 below and I’ll show you how to resize printables to fit your planner. You can use whichever method works better for you.
Planner Accessories
What is a planner without some fabulous accessories? Most often used accesories:
• Pretty flags (I use this to tag important pages so I’m not shuffling through a hundred pages finding the one that I want).
• Stickers (instead of having to write “recycle” or “pay bills” every week/month on the planner, why not get stickers? Plus they’re cute. Yes, I get satisfaction out of making my planner pretty.
• If you want more options, you have to check out Etsy planner stickers. There are THOUSANDS of options.
1. Use Non-Standard paper
Your first option when you want to resize printables is to use non-standard paper, such as A4 or A5. To use this method, you need to use a pdf file.
You’re going to:
1. Go to ‘print’ like normal.
2. Click on ‘page setup’ (it should be in the lower left-hand corner).
3. In the ‘page setup’ box, where it says ‘paper size’, click. A list of options will appear. Select the appropriate size.
4. Click ‘okay’ in the ‘page setup’ box.
5. Make sure under ‘Page Sizing & Handling’ that the “Fit” option is selected.
6. Load your printer with the correct size paper.
7. Hit ‘Print.’
2. Use regular paper, select custom size, and cut off extra
Your second option- and the one I prefer, as it gives you more flexibility- is to use regular paper. In this method, you’re going to have Adobe Acrobat re-size your image, print on regular paper, and cut off the excess. This is the easiest way to resize printables to fit a wide variety of planners.
You’re going to:
1. Go to ‘print’ like normal.
2. Click on ‘page setup’ (it should be in the lower left-hand corner).
3. In the ‘page setup’ box, where it says ‘paper size’, click. A list of options will appear. Select “Manage Custom Sizes”.
4. A custom sizes box will appear. Enter your planner page size. Make sure ‘non-printable areas’ are all set to zero. Click okay to save. Click okay again to save “Page Setup” changes.
5. Make sure under ‘Page Sizing & Handling’ that the “Fit” option is selected.
6. Load your printer with regular paper.
7. Hit ‘Print.’
8. Trim off the excess from the printed page.
3. use regular paper, select percentage, and cut off excess
Your third option is to use regular paper. In this method, you tell the printer to print a certain “percentage” of the original size, print on regular paper, and cut off the excess. This is the easiest way to resize printables to fit a wide variety of planners and in a variety of programs. For example, you can use Word or other programs and print at certain percentages.
You’re going to:
1. Go to ‘print’ like normal.
2. Figure out what percentage you need to print at. (Don’t worry…I have a cheat sheet below this to help you!)
3. Under “Page Sizing & Handling,” click on “custom size”.
4. Enter your percentage into the box.
5. Hit ‘Print.’
6. Trim excess paper off the edges of your printed sheet.
what percentage do I Print At?
I went ahead and did the calculations for some popular planners below (graphic at bottom).
But if your planner size isn’t on here, here is how you figure it out.
Take the width of your planner page. Divide it by 8.5. Then multiply that by 100. The answer is your percentage.
For example, say your planner page is 5″ wide and 8″ tall. 5 divided by 8.5= .588. Times 100= 58.8. So we’ll print at 59% (slight rounding is fine).
“General” Sizes:
Classic (medium)- 7” x 9”- 82%
Desk-Size (aka half-sheet)- 5.5” x 8.5”- 65%
Personal Size- 3.7” x 6.7”- 44%
Pocket- 3.2” x 4.7”- 38%
Mini- 2.64” x 4.13”- 31%
Me & My Big Ideas Happy Planners (ring-bound):
Mini Happy Planner- 4.625” x 7”- 54%
Classic Happy Planner- 7” x 9.25”- 82%
Big Happy Planner- 8.5” x 11”- 100%
Erin Condren Planners (spiral-bound):
Large- 8.5” x 11”- 100%
Medium- 7” x 9” (or 7” x 8.75”)- 82%
Erin Condren Planners (ring agenda):
A5 planner- 5.82” x 8.26”- 68%
Filofax Planners (ring-bound):
A4- 8.26” x 11.69”- need a4 paper
A5- 5.82” x 8.26”- 68%
Personal- 3.74” x 6.73”- 44%
Compact- 3.74” x 6.73”- 44%
Pocket- 3.18” x 4.72”- 37%
FranklinCovey Planners (ring-bound):
Monarch (letter): 8.5” x 11”- 100%
Classic- 5.5” x 8.5”- 65%
Compact- 4.25” x 6.75”- 50%
Pocket- 3.5” x 6”- 41%
Arc System Planners (by Staples) (disc-bound):
Large- 8.5” x 11”- 100%
Small- 5.5” x 8.5”- 65%
Kate Spade Planners (wire-bound):
Personal- 3.75” x 6.75”- 44%
Pocket- 3” x 5”- 35%
Day Runner Planners (ring-bound):
Large/ Size 5- 8.5” x 11”- 100%
Medium/ Size 4- 5.5” x 8.5”- 65%
Small/ Size 3- 3.75” x 6.75”- 44%
Pocket/ Size 2- 3.25” x 6 & 3/8”- 38%
Day-Timer Planner (ring-bound):
Folio- 8.5” x 11”- 100%
Desk- 5.5” x 8.5”- 65%
Portable- 3.75” x 6.75”
Kikki K (ring-bound):
Large- 5.71” x 8.27” or 5.71” x 8.46” – 67%
Medium (personal)- 3.7” x 6.7”- 44%
Personal (small)- 3.14” x 4.72” or 3.1” x 4.9”- 37%
Plum Paper (spiral-bound):
Large- 8.5” x 11”- 100%
Classic/Medium- 7” x 8.75”- 82%
There you have it!
You now have three different ways to resize printables to fit your particular planner. If you have any questions, just comment below and I’ll get back to you ASAP!
Debbie says
Hi, is Debbie and I am just beginning to journal, I would like to get some free printable, so I can see what I am going to be comfortable with when writing scripture. The good Lord knows I need to carry this thru to make a difference in my life.
Thank you for your help.
Debbie
Jennie says
Journaling is amazingly important. I have both a Bible journal as well as my regular daily/weekly/monthly/yearly planner binder. I have a couple of posts you might be interested in: https://www.thehousewifemodern.com/blog/free-bible-journaling-printables/. And: https://www.thehousewifemodern.com/blog/how-to-soap-bible-study-free-bible-study-printables/.
If you have any other ideas for Bible journaling you would like, let me know. I would LOVE to create something for you.
God’s blessing be upon you,
Jennie
Dixie says
I want to print personal size (3.7×6.7 or 44%). Can I print on both sides of the page?
Jennie says
It depends on the file you’re trying to print. If it’s a two-sided document, then, yes, the resizing should apply to both sides.
If it’s a single page document, you’ll have to print one side…insert the paper back in the paper feed, and print the other side.
Kati says
What a wonderful and thorough post. I’ve always tried to figure this out (and I’m an accountant… so math is my “jam”!!). Thank for this. Sharing and Pinning for friends to learn this too.
Jennie says
Glad you liked it! And thanks for sharing.
Jennifer says
THANK YOU! You are the first person to provide the info I needed to shrink a 8.5×11 pic to 4×3 – thank you very much for this information!
Jennie says
Not a problem! I got tired of playing around with percentages when I switched planners…so I finally just calculated them all! haha. Glad you found the info helpful.
Deborah Campbell says
I am interested in getting the pages for The Happy Planner Mini Skinny planner. The size is 2.64″ x 7″ and I have just discovered them. However, I can’t find one for next year and any place I see them, the are this year’s and I am afraid they are discontinuing them. It is a perfect size to throw in my purse and I really need to know how to print some pages if they do retire the Mini Skinny planner.
Eneida Marie Clements says
Hi
What do you use to cut the paper straight and easy? I’m a “planner beginner”
Love the post, thanks!
Eneida :))
Jennie says
I have a paper cutter I use. Scissors work, but if you’re going to be cutting a lot, investing in a paper cutter is worth it.
Sandra says
This is so handy. I ordered a budget planner printable and want to print them I half letter (5.5”x8.5” for a disc bound planner). I was going to print them at 50% because I figured they were half but somehow the 65% makes more sense. Thanks so much.
Jennie says
You’re welcome! I’ve tried multiple planners over the years…and have gone through the struggle of finding the perfect size by experimenting. That’s why I decided to figure it out just once and for all! Glad you found it helpful.
T says
No B6 reprinting guide? Kikki K planners no longer go by small medium large, they are A5, B6. I can’t find an accurate b6 resizing guide anywhere.
Lesley says
Hi Jennie, I’m trying to figure out how to resize all of the lovely printable stickers available in Classic HP size for my Big HP….any advice?
Jennie says
I haven’t worked with stickers at all. The best I could suggest is figure out the percentage increase from classic to HP and try to print them that much larger?
Linda Sjogren says
Do you know where I can find a hole punch with the right configuration for my Agenda 52 planner?
Jennie says
No, sorry. My husband got me a Montblanc planner about a decade ago. And I ended up quitting using it because there wasn’t a hole punch. I tried getting a standard hole punch and buying extra punches, which I spaced for the planner. But they made absolutely giant holes and the rings of the planner were small, meaning the pages “bounced” around a lot.
June says
I’m not seeing where I can download the resizing printables? Any help world be appreciated! Thank you so much.
June I
Jennie says
There isn’t anything to download. This is an informational post on how to resize other printables for your planner. There isn’t a printable included.
Heather says
Amazing!! I’ve been doing printables for years and have been so frustrated. This is perfect!
Nikki says
I am super late to the game here but I wanted to say THANK YOU! This information is exactly what I was looking for AND it was all in one place! 🥳