Common Map and Book Sizes for RPGs and Fantasy Worlds

When designing maps for tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) or fantasy novels, choosing the right size is essential for both usability and ease of design. Whether you’re printing maps or formatting them for digital use, the size can impact how they fit into your game books or posters. Here’s a guide to common map and book sizes used worldwide, with an emphasis on RPG projects.

Standard U.S. Map Sizes

1. 6" x 9" (1800 x 2700 pixels at 300dpi)
   This popular book size is also common for small maps in RPG manuals or novels, especially in the U.S. It offers just enough room for details while keeping the map compact for easy handling and printing.

2. 8.5" x 11" (2550 x 3300 pixels at 300dpi)
   This U.S. letter size is frequently used for single-page inserts or fold-out maps, providing ample space for town or regional maps without overwhelming your file size.

3. 11" x 17" (3300 x 5100 pixels at 300dpi)
   Known as tabloid size, this larger format works well for fold-out maps or posters in RPG settings. It’s ideal for intricate city layouts or regional overviews that need extra space for detail.

International A-Series Map Sizes

1. A4 (8.27" x 11.69" / 2481 x 3507 pixels at 300dpi)
   Similar to the U.S. letter size, A4 is widely used across Europe and works well for small- to mid-sized maps. It’s great for town or dungeon maps that fit neatly into game books or standalone handouts.

2. A3 (11.7" x 16.5" / 3510 x 4950 pixels at 300dpi)
   A3 offers more room for details and is frequently used for more complex layouts, such as dungeon crawls or city maps. It’s also a good option for regional maps where you need to show more features.

3. A2 (16.54" x 23.39" / 4962 x 7017 pixels at 300dpi)
   For larger projects like battle maps or wall posters, A2 offers significant space to create expansive world maps. However, this size might start pushing the limits of your software, especially in programs like Photoshop with many layers.

Standard Book Sizes in Europe

In addition to maps, book size plays a big role in the layout for any fantasy world-building project, especially for authors looking to self-publish.

1. A5 (5.83" x 8.27" / 148 mm x 210 mm)
   A5 is the most common book size in Europe, frequently used for novels and non-fiction. It’s a bit smaller than the U.S. 6" x 9" format but is widely accepted in European markets, making it ideal for self-publishing.

2. 135 mm x 216 mm (5.31" x 8.5")
   Another popular size for trade paperbacks in Europe, this format offers a premium feel, perfect for larger paperback releases or special editions of RPG books.

Balancing Size and Performance

While larger map sizes like A2 or 11" x 17" offer more room for intricate designs, they can strain performance in design software, especially with high-resolution settings like 300dpi. For designers working on TTRPG maps, it’s important to balance detail with manageable file sizes. Opting for smaller formats like A4 or 8.5" x 11" can help ensure smoother workflow while still delivering detailed, high-quality maps.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right map and book size depends on both your project needs and how you plan to print or distribute the final product. By understanding these standard dimensions, you can create maps and layouts that are both functional and visually stunning, whether you’re producing a small handout or a large campaign poster.

This guide should help both authors and map designers create high-quality materials that fit the expectations of their audience, both in print and in gameplay!