Foolscap facts for kids

Foolscap is a special type of paper that was once very popular. It's a bit taller and narrower than the A4 paper you might use today. Imagine a sheet of paper that's about 13+1⁄2 inches (34 cm) long and 8+1⁄2 inches (22 cm) wide. This size was a common choice for writing and official documents for a long time, especially in Europe and countries connected to the British Commonwealth.

What is Foolscap Paper?

Foolscap paper is a traditional size of paper. It measures about 13+1⁄2 inches (34 cm) by 8+1⁄2 inches (22 cm). Sometimes, it was also found as 13 inches (33 cm) by 8 inches (20 cm). This makes it taller than the A4 paper size, which is now the most common paper size around the world.

Why Was it Called Foolscap?

The name "foolscap" comes from a fun fact about paper history! Back in the 1700s, some paper had a special design pressed into it called a watermark. This watermark was often a picture of a "fool's cap." A fool's cap is a pointy hat with bells, like the one a jester or clown might wear. So, paper with this watermark became known as "foolscap" paper.

Where Was Foolscap Used?

Foolscap paper was widely used in Europe and many countries that were part of the British Commonwealth. Before A4 paper became the standard, foolscap was a very common choice for many uses.

In North America, foolscap often meant lined paper used for legal documents. In some South American countries, it was called "oficio." This word means "office" or "official document," because it was used for important papers.

Is Foolscap Paper Still Used Today?

Today, foolscap paper is not used very often. The international standard A4 paper, which measures 29.7 cm by 21 cm, has mostly taken its place.

However, you might still find some office supplies designed for foolscap paper. For example, some ring binders, lever arch files, and suspended files are still made to fit this older size. This helps people who still have documents or need to store items that are the foolscap size.