The size of a specific book is measured from the head to tail of the spine, and from edge to edge across the covers. Look up book on Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

However, in bookbinding, printing, and publishing, a series of terms are used to indicate the approximate size of a book. These terms are derived from the number of leaves created from a standard size sheet of paper (19" x 25") when each signature of the book is printed. Bookbinding is the process of physically assembling a book from a number of separate sheets of paper or other material. ... The folder of newspaper web offset printing press Printing is an industrial process for mass production of texts and images, typically with ink on paper using a printing press. ... Publishing is the activity of putting information into the public arena. ... John Hancocks signature on the United States Declaration of Independence A signature is a usually stylized version of someones name written on documents as a proof of identity and will, like a seal, but handwritten. ...

For example, a quarto book results when 4 leaves are created from each sheet of paper. The resulting book will be approximately 12.5" inches tall and 9.5" inches wide, before trimming. Each leaf usually has a printed page or an intentionally blank page on each side, so a quarto signature usually represents 8 pages of the book. Quarto has several meanings: Quarto is a board game for two players made by Family Games Inc. ...

Octavo and quarto are the most common book sizes, but many books are produced in larger (folio) and smaller sizes as well. These terms are often abbreviated, using 4to for quarto; 8vo for octavo; and so on. Octavo has more than one meaning: Octavo is a bookbinding term for a sheet printed to form eight pages of a book when folded, and also a particular size of book. ... Quarto has several meanings: Quarto is a board game for two players made by Family Games Inc. ... Quarto has several meanings: Quarto is a board game for two players made by Family Games Inc. ... Octavo has more than one meaning: Octavo is a bookbinding term for a sheet printed to form eight pages of a book when folded, and also a particular size of book. ...

The printed signatures are bound together to form a entire book. Before the covers are bound to the book, the block of text pages is usually trimmed along the three unbound edges to open the folds of the paper and to produce smooth edges for the book. As a result, the final size of a book will depend on whether and how much the paper is trimmed; and the way the book is bound, particularly the covers used.

Also see bookbinding. Bookbinding is the process of physically assembling a book from a number of separate sheets of paper or other material. ...

For the specific terms used, see

• Book sizes from Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books.
• ABEbooks Glossary discusses modern usage