PA2

With dimensions of 420mm x 560mm, the PA2 format has a total surface area of 0.2352 square meters. As part of the transitional PA paper size series conceived in 1975, PA2 falls between PA1 and the standard A2 size from ISO 216. Its landscape dimensions make PA2 a slightly squarer alternative to A2, while still maintaining the efficient 1:√2 aspect ratio of the PA system which enables easy scaling. PA2 has no commonly known alternative names, but its width and height correspond approximately to Arch C and Arch D formats respectively. Typical applications for PA2 that leverage its considerable area include large spreadsheets, oversized scanning, and specialty posters or artwork. Since the entire PA series was created specifically to complement the limited number of ISO 216 standard sizes, PA2 lacks a rich backstory and was ultimately rejected for official inclusion. Nonetheless, the PA2 dimensions fill a niche for users requiring a transitional jump between PA1 and ISO A2, especially for horizontal applications favoring its landscape orientation. With functionality right in line with the goals of the PA system, PA2 continues serving key special purposes where the standardized formats alone fall short.