The short answer
Use A4 for UK and European submissions and US Letter for American ones. US Letter is 8.5 by 11 inches; A4 is 210 by 297 millimetres, slightly narrower and longer, so the same script usually runs to a few fewer pages on A4. Keep 12 point Courier and standard margins either way, and check your page count after switching.
Why the page size matters
Screenplays use a fixed format so that one page runs roughly one minute of screen time. That rule of thumb only holds if everyone uses the same font, margins and page size, which is why readers notice when a script looks off.
A4 and US Letter compared
| US Letter | A4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 8.5 x 11 inches (216 x 279 mm) | 210 x 297 mm (8.27 x 11.69 inches) |
| Where it is used | United States, Canada | UK, Europe, most of the world |
| Effect on length | Baseline | Usually a few fewer pages |
Which to use
Send what the reader expects. UK broadcasters, agents and schemes such as BBC Writersroom accept A4. American managers, agents and competitions expect US Letter. If you send the same script to both, keep two versions and check where the pages break.
Switching without breaking it
- Switch the page size in your screenwriting software rather than reformatting by hand.
- Keep 12 point Courier or a Courier equivalent.
- Check the page count and the page breaks, especially if you are quoting a length.
- Look for dialogue split awkwardly across pages after the change.
BlackSlate for Writers formats to A4 or US Letter and switches between them without touching your text.
Questions
A4 is standard in the UK and accepted by UK broadcasters and agents. Use US Letter when submitting to the US.
Usually slightly. A4 is narrower and longer than US Letter, so the same script tends to run a few pages shorter.
12 point Courier or a Courier equivalent such as Courier Prime, on either page size.