Trifold Brochure Panel Calculator

Work out the width and pixel size of each panel in a trifold (C-fold) brochure. Choose US Letter or A4, or enter a custom page size and fold count.

Important folding note

Panel widths shown here are the page width divided evenly by the number of panels. Real print shops adjust trifold panels slightly (the wrapped panel is usually a little narrower) to account for paper thickness. Always ask for the print service's fold template before exporting.

When to use this calculator

• Setting up a trifold brochure in a layout program and needing panel dimensions.
• Checking the pixel size of each panel for a print-ready export at 300 DPI.
• Comparing US Letter and A4 trifold formats before choosing a print service.
• Planning panel content for a leaflet, menu or event programme.

Worked examples

• US Letter trifold (8.5 × 11 in): each panel is about 2.83 × 11 in, or roughly 850 × 3300 px at 300 DPI before folding adjustments.
• A4 trifold (210 × 297 mm): each panel is about 70 × 297 mm, or roughly 827 × 3508 px at 300 DPI.
• Gate fold (4 panels): each panel is one quarter of the page width - 2.125 in for US Letter.
• Accordion fold (4 panels): the same quarter-width panels, but alternating fold directions.

Panels are rarely exactly equal

Paper has thickness, so the panel that folds inside must be slightly narrower or it will buckle. Print shops adjust panels by fractions of a millimetre or a few thousandths of an inch, and the adjustment differs between C-folds, gate folds and roll folds. The even division shown here is the starting point; always request the printer's folding template before placing text near a fold line.

Planning panel content

• The outside front panel is the cover; the outside back usually holds contact details and the mailing area.
• The inside spread is read as one continuous surface - avoid placing faces or key graphics across the fold.
• Keep a safe margin of at least 5 mm from every trim and fold edge.
• Extend background colours into the bleed rather than stopping them at the panel line.

Common mistakes

• Designing with three equal panels and then discovering the printer's template is not equal.
• Placing text across a fold, where it distorts or disappears into the crease.
• Forgetting bleed on the outer edges of the sheet.
• Using screen-resolution images inside a 300 DPI export.

Related tools

Bleed calculator · Paper size to pixels · Print file setup checklist