GNU LilyPond Notation Reference: 4.1.1 Paper size

### 4.1.1 Paper size

Two functions are available for changing the paper size: `set-default-paper-size` and `set-paper-size`. `set-default-paper-size` must be placed in the toplevel scope, and `set-paper-size` must be placed in a `\paper` block:

>     #(set-default-paper-size "a4")

>     \paper {
>       #(set-paper-size "a4")
>     }

`set-default-paper-size` sets the size of all pages, whereas `set-paper-size` only sets the size of the pages that the `\paper` block applies to. For example, if the `\paper` block is at the top of the file, then it will apply the paper size to all pages. If the `\paper` block is inside a `\book`, then the paper size will only apply to that book.

Common paper sizes are available, including `a4`, `letter`, `legal`, and `11x17` (also known as tabloid). Many more paper sizes are supported by default. For details, see ‘`scm/paper.scm`’, and search for the definition of `paper-alist`.

Note: The default paper size is `a4`.

Extra sizes may be added by editing the definition of `paper-alist` in the initialization file ‘`scm/paper.scm`’, however they will be overridden on a subsequent install.

If the symbol `'landscape` is supplied as an argument to `set-default-paper-size`, pages will be rotated by 90 degrees, and wider line widths will be set accordingly.

>     #(set-default-paper-size "a6" 'landscape)

Setting the paper size will adjust a number of `\paper` variables, such as margins. To use a particular paper size with altered `\paper` variables, set the paper size before setting the variables.

#### See also

Installed Files: ‘`scm/paper.scm`’.

Snippets: Spacing.

Other languages: español.

#### Notation Reference