The first iteration of the “Press 'n Peel” product was nothing short of a flop. But over the next two years list makers and office workers around the U.S. began to see the appeal, and soon the small paper sheets bearing a thin strip of reusable adhesive were in demand across North America.
Today, Post-it Notes remain a staple in offices throughout the world—to the tune of approximately $1 billion worth of Post-it notes sold every year. And every office loves to have a variety of sticky note sizes, colors, shapes, as well as paper types, dispenser types and notes with or without ruling on hand.
As just one example of their versatility, here are the most common Post-it sizes.
Comparison of Post-it Note Sizes
- 1.5"x2"
- 2"x2"
- 3"x3"
- 4"x4"
- 3"x5"
- 4"x6"
In addition to these standard Post-it Note sizes, there are also Post-it products in specialty sizes, such as Post-it easel pads, flip charts, and large pads.
The fact that there are many different sizes of Post-it Notes helps explain the sticky notes' broad appeal, because they're suitable for many different purposes.
The Many Uses of Different Post-it Sizes
If you're still not convinced that adhesive paper is the greatest thing since sliced bread, let us convince you with a guide to some of the many uses for different Post-it sizes.
- Post-it flags or tabs: 1.5" x 2", 2" x 2", and smaller
These small Post-it sizes are ideal for marking your place or flagging important pages in a book, file, or study materials. As an added bonus, using Post-it notes for this purpose spares reading materials from permanent mark ups by pens or highlighters. If you want to get really fancy, consider using different colored Post-it notes to color code your reading materials according to themes or categories. Smaller notes can also work well as temporary labels for stacks of files or papers. Flags are also helpful for marking where to sign contracts, legal documents, and more. - The square notes: 3" x 3"
This square shape is well known as the standard Post-it size. Whether you choose classic 3x3 canary yellow Post-it notes or something more colorful, this size is ideal for a number of uses, including:- Brainstorming exercises, such as creating an individual mind map or posting ideas on a board during a collaborative session
- Annotating or suggesting edits on a piece of work without physically altering it with a pen or pencil
- Developing an editable seating chart for group events.
- Posting reminders or memos to yourself or others on desks, computers, refrigerators, whiteboards, telephones, and so on. Color coding these reminders is a convenient way to signify order of importance.
- The rectangular notes: 3" x 5", 4" x 6", and 5" x 8"
Rectangular Post-its notes are ideal for list making. Depending on the length of your to-do list, you can choose from small, medium, or large rectangular Post-its notes. You may even find that constraining yourself to a smaller note is a great way to prioritize your tasks and condense to the essentials. - Creative ideas for every Post-it size
No matter which Post-it sizes are your favorite, there are plenty of ways you can get creative with the sticky sheets. For example:- Consider using them to create a mural or fun shapes to liven up a drab wall.
- Use unique colors and shapes to add personal flare to your notes and brighten up people's days.
- Reserve different styles of notes for sharing memos with different individuals so you can customize your messages.
- Use fun Post-it dispensers to add some levity to your workspace. (Cute cat dispenser, anyone?)
- Summarize the important points of a paper or presentation by writing all of your ideas on a large Post-it, then condensing them to a medium one, then a smaller one, and so on until you consolidate your thoughts to the most critical points
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The sheer variety of Post-it Note sizes available means there's a task for every Post-it Note and a Post-it Note for every task. Next time you head to the office supply cabinet to re-up your sticky note supply, take a moment to appreciate the broad functionality of these cute little notes.
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Laura Newcomer
Laura Newcomer is a writer, editor, and educator with multiple years of experience working in the environmental and personal wellness space. Formerly Senior Editor at the health site Greatist, Laura now lives and works in Pennsylvania. Her writing has been published on Washington Post, TIME Healthland, Greatist, DailyBurn, Lifehacker, and Business Insider, among others. She has taught environmental education to students of all ages in both Pennsylvania and Maine, and prioritizes living an environmentally sustainable lifestyle. She's a big proponent of creating self-sustaining communities and accessible healthy food systems that care for both people and the earth. An avid outdoorswoman, she can often be found hiking, kayaking, backpacking, and tending to her garden.