4x6 labels in mm: why 100 x 150 mm is the shipping label standard
Four names for almost the same label. Here's what actually differs between 4x6, 100 x 150 mm, 6x4 and A6.
Look for parcel labels and you'll see “4x6”, “6x4”, “100x150” and sometimes “A6”. In practice they all do the same job: the shipping label on a thermal printer.
4x6 and 6x4: the same label
4 x 6 inches and 6 x 4 inches are the same label, just written width-first or height-first. The UK tends to say 6x4; US software says 4x6.
4x6 in millimetres
4 x 6 inches converts to 101.6 x 152.4 mm. The common metric size, 100 x 150 mm, is only 1.6 mm narrower and 2.4 mm shorter.
What that means in practice:
- a 4x6 label from Royal Mail Click & Drop, eBay or Shopify prints fine on a 100 x 150 mm label;
- the printer finds the gap between labels, so the small height difference doesn't push the print out of place;
- in the driver you can choose either 100 x 150 mm or 4 x 6 in.
And A6?
A6 is 105 x 148 mm. Some carriers send their labels as A6 PDFs; with “fit to page” they print neatly on a 100 x 150 mm label.
Quick reference
| Name | Size | Where you'll see it |
|---|---|---|
| 4x6 / 6x4 | 101.6 x 152.4 mm | Royal Mail, Evri, eBay, Shopify |
| 100x150 | 100 x 150 mm | European suppliers, printer drivers |
| 10x15 | 100 x 150 mm | Continental Europe |
| A6 | 105 x 148 mm | Some carriers' PDF labels |
Which printer do you need?
A 4-inch printer with roughly 104 mm print width. The small 2-inch printers often used for barcodes can't print a full shipping label.
How many labels per roll?
Our 100 x 150 mm thermal labels come 300 to a roll, in packs of 1, 3, 5 or 8 rolls, on a 40 mm core. For large letters and small parcels, also look at 100 x 100 mm.
For step-by-step printer settings, read our guide to printing Royal Mail, Evri and Vinted labels.
No courier label, just an address to write? Use our free shipping label template for A4.
FAQ
Will 100 x 150 mm labels work in a printer set to 4x6?
Yes. The difference is a few millimetres and the printer lines up on the gap between labels.
Can a 2-inch label printer print 4x6 labels?
No. You need a 4-inch printer with about 104 mm print width.
Is A6 the same as 4x6?
Not quite: A6 is 105 x 148 mm. It still prints well on a 100 x 150 mm label with “fit to page”.
