Leuchtturm1917 A5 vs B5 Notebooks: Which Size Fits Your Work?
By PhotoLounge | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Comparisons
Compare Leuchtturm1917 A5 and B5 notebooks on size, paper weight, page count, and cover to pick the right one for journaling, notes, or planning.
Quick answer
Choose the A5 Medium if you want a portable notebook that fits in most bags and you prefer denser 120 gsm paper or a hardcover. Choose the B5 Composition if you need a larger page area for sketching, spreadsheets, or dense notes and don't mind lighter 80 gsm paper in a softcover. Both are Leuchtturm1917 notebooks with numbered pages and color/ruling options, so the decision comes down to size, paper weight, and cover feel.
How the two sizes actually differ in daily use
The A5 Medium measures 5.75 x 8.25 inches, a standard size that slides into most totes, backpacks, and large jacket pockets. The B5 Composition is 7 x 10 inches, giving you roughly 40% more page area per sheet. That extra space matters if you write large, draw diagrams, or track multiple columns. The trade-off is portability: the B5 is noticeably wider and taller, so it may not fit smaller bags or crowded desk setups. If you carry your notebook everywhere, the A5 is easier to live with; if it stays on a desk or in a larger bag, the B5 gives you more room to think on paper.
Paper weight and page count: what changes in practice
The A5 Medium (Superior Paper) uses 120 gsm paper and has 203 pages. Heavier paper resists bleed-through better with fountain pens, markers, and heavy ink, and it feels smoother under the nib. The A5 Medium (Hardcover) and the B5 Composition both use 80 gsm paper, which is fine for ballpoint, pencil, and most gel pens but may show ghosting with wetter inks. Page count also varies: the A5 Hardcover has 251 pages, the A5 Superior has 203, and the B5 Composition has 123. More pages means a longer useful life per notebook, but also more weight and bulk. If you fill notebooks quickly, the 251-page A5 Hardcover gives you the most writing surface for the lowest catalog price among these three.
Cover construction and long-term durability
The A5 Medium (Superior Paper) and A5 Medium (Hardcover) both have hardcovers, which protect pages in a bag and let you write without a desk. The B5 Composition is softcover, so it flexes and weighs less but offers less rigidity. If you toss your notebook into a backpack with keys and water bottles, a hardcover will hold its shape better. If you want something that lies flatter or you mostly write at a table, the softcover B5 is comfortable. None of these are billed as waterproof, so plan to keep them dry regardless of cover type.
Ruling and color options across the lineup
All three notebooks come in a range of colors and ruling options, so you can match a notebook to a subject, project, or mood. Ruling choice affects how you use the page more than size does: lined for prose and lists, dotted for bullet journaling and diagrams, blank for sketching. Because the A5 and B5 share the same brand ecosystem, you can standardize on one ruling across sizes. If you already use a Leuchtturm1917, check the ruling on your current notebook before ordering a different size so your notes stay consistent.
Trade-offs to weigh before you buy
- Portability vs page area: The A5 fits more bags and takes up less desk space; the B5 gives you a larger canvas for diagrams, sketches, or wide tables. If you carry your notebook daily, start with A5. If it lives on a desk, B5 may serve you better.
- Paper weight vs page count: The 120 gsm A5 Superior resists bleed-through best but has 203 pages; the 80 gsm A5 Hardcover has 251 pages but may ghost with wet inks. Fountain pen users should prioritize 120 gsm; ballpoint and pencil users can enjoy the extra pages of the 80 gsm version.
- Hardcover vs softcover feel: Hardcovers protect pages and support writing anywhere; the softcover B5 is lighter and more flexible but less protective. Choose hardcover for rough commutes, softcover for lighter carry and flat writing surfaces.
Product facts at a glance
- A5 Medium (Superior Paper, 203 pages) Leuchtturm1917: A5 Medium (Superior Paper, 203 pages) Leuchtturm1917: A5 size (5.75 x 8.25 inches), 120 gsm superior paper, 203 numbered pages, hardcover, available in multiple colors and rulings. The heavier 120 gsm paper handles wetter inks with less bleed-through, and the A5 size is easy to carry, making it a strong pick for fountain pen users who journal on the go.
- B5 Composition (Softcover, 123 pages) Leuchtturm1917: B5 Composition (Softcover, 123 pages) Leuchtturm1917: B5 size (7 x 10 inches), 80 gsm paper, 123 pages, softcover, available in multiple colors and rulings. The larger page area suits sketching, mapping, or multi-column notes, while the softcover keeps it lighter than a hardcover B5 would be.
- A5 Medium (Hardcover, 251 pages) Leuchtturm1917: A5 Medium (Hardcover, 251 pages) Leuchtturm1917: A5 size (5.75 x 8.25 inches), 80 gsm paper, 251 numbered pages, hardcover, weighs 423 grams, available in multiple colors and rulings. The 251 pages give you the most writing surface per notebook, and the hardcover protects pages in a bag, though 80 gsm paper may ghost with very wet pens.
Which Leuchtturm1917 should you choose?
Best for
- Commuters and students who need a portable notebook that fits in a small bag (A5 Medium).
- Fountain pen and marker users who want 120 gsm paper with less bleed-through (A5 Medium Superior Paper).
- Journalers who fill pages quickly and want the most pages per notebook (A5 Medium Hardcover, 251 pages).
- Sketchers, planners, and note-takers who need a larger page area and prefer a lighter softcover (B5 Composition).
Not for
- Writers who need a large page area but want a hardcover—consider a hardcover B5 if available, or accept the softcover trade-off.
- Fountain pen users who need maximum bleed resistance and also want 251 pages—no single option here offers both 120 gsm and 251 pages.
- Anyone who needs a pocket-sized notebook—both A5 and B5 are larger than pocket formats.
