New Zealand's Definitive Guide to School Exercise Book Sizes

Compare New Zealand school exercise book codes — see which are like-for-like (same size, ruling and pages) and exactly how they differ.

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Book code Fits cover Page size Ruling Pages Like-for-like codes
How does book sizing work?

NZ exercise book codes mostly follow the historical NZS 8132:1984 standard and read as [Binding digit]-[Ruling letter]-[Size digit].

This standard is no longer a requirement for books in New Zealand, but it still explains the logic of many book sizes.

Binding (first digit)

DigitMeaning
1Softcover Book
2Hardcover Book
3Softcover Notebook

Ruling (letter)

LetterMeaning
AUnruled
B7mm ruled
I9mm ruled
F12mm ruled
LAlternating unruled / 7mm ruled
J5mm quad (graph)
E7mm quad (graph)
H10mm quad (graph)
U12mm ruled with 1/3 unruled section

Size (last digit)

DigitMeaning
1165mm x 100mm TBC
2125mm x 165mm TBC
4230mm x 180mm
5255mm x 205mm
8297mm x 210mm (A4)

Worked example

Code: 1B8

  • 1 → Softcover
  • B → 7mm ruled
  • 8 → 297mm × 210mm (A4)

Meaning: a softcover, 7mm-ruled, A4-size exercise book.

Source: NZS 8132:1984 Specification for School Stationery