ISO 838:1974

Overview

ISO 838:1974 - "Paper - Holes for general filing purposes - Specifications" defines the basic hole layout and dimensions for sheets and documents intended for ordinary office filing. The standard applies to paper that can be perforated in an office with a simple punch (correspondence, thin documents, standards, etc.) and excludes sheets designed for special filing systems (e.g., proprietary loose‑leaf binders).

Key topics and requirements

The standard specifies the arrangement and dimensional characteristics of filing holes (dimensions in millimetres):

• Arrangement: Holes shall be arranged symmetrically in relation to the sheet axis and perpendicular to the axis of the holes. The axis may be parallel to either the short or long edge of the sheet, as required.
• Distance between centres of holes: 80 + 0.5 mm (as stated in ISO 838:1974)
• Diameter of holes: 6 * 0.5 mm (as stated in ISO 838:1974)
• Distance from centre of holes to nearest edge: 12 + 1.0 mm (as stated in ISO 838:1974)

These values establish consistent hole spacing, hole size, and edge clearance so punched documents are compatible with ordinary filing hardware and manual punches.

Applications

ISO 838:1974 is practical for:

• Office managers and administrators specifying document preparation processes.
• Stationery and paper manufacturers designing pre‑punched sheets and punch guides.
• Manufacturers of manual hole punches and simple filing accessories who need to ensure product compatibility with common office paper.
• Records managers and archivists who require consistent hole placement for long‑term storage and retrieval.

Using ISO 838 helps ensure documents from different sources can be filed together reliably, reducing misalignment and wear on filing hardware.

Related standards

• ISO 838:1974 replaces ISO Recommendation R 838 (1968).
• For special filing systems (loose‑leaf binders, proprietary formats), consult the specific binder or system standards rather than ISO 838.

Keywords: ISO 838:1974, paper holes, general filing, hole dimensions, hole spacing, hole diameter, filing systems, office punch, document perforation.