At a glance
- Rolling paper size refers to the length and width of the paper sheet.
- The four common sizes are: single wide, 1¼, 1½, and king size (including king size slim).
- King size papers are roughly 100–110 mm long; single wide papers are around 68–70 mm.
- “Slim” refers to width, not length — a king size slim is as long as a king size but narrower.
- Size affects how much tobacco a roll holds, not how the paper burns.
Rolling paper sizes describe the physical dimensions of the sheet — length and width. Longer papers hold more tobacco; wider papers produce a thicker roll. The most common sizes in the US are 1¼ and king size. Single wide is a smaller, older format still in use; 1½ falls between 1¼ and king size. None of these names are standardised by a regulatory body — they are industry conventions, and dimensions vary slightly between manufacturers.
What are the standard rolling paper sizes?
Single wide
Single wide (sometimes written 1.0) is the smallest standard format. It is approximately 68–70 mm long and 34–36 mm wide.
Single wide papers produce a slim roll roughly equivalent in diameter to a standard manufactured cigarette. They are well-suited for smaller amounts of tobacco. The format is older and less dominant in the US market than 1¼ or king size, but it remains available from most major brands.
1¼ size
1¼ is the most popular rolling paper size in the US market. The name refers loosely to the width being about one-and-a-quarter times the width of a single wide paper.
Dimensions are approximately 76–78 mm long and 45–48 mm wide. A 1¼ paper produces a roll that is slightly longer and wider than a single wide, holding a moderate amount of tobacco.
Most major brands — RAW, Rizla, Smoking, Elements, OCB — make their core range in 1¼.
1½ size
1½ is a less common intermediate format, approximately 76–79 mm long and 60–63 mm wide. It is wider than 1¼ but roughly the same length, which produces a thicker roll rather than a longer one.
1½ is available from some brands — Zig-Zag is among the more notable US examples — but it is not carried as broadly as 1¼ or king size.
King size
King size papers are approximately 100–110 mm long and 55–60 mm wide. They hold significantly more tobacco than 1¼ papers and are popular for rolling larger cigarettes.
King size is widely available and has become the dominant format in the US market alongside 1¼. Most brands that offer 1¼ also offer king size.
King size slim
King size slim papers are the same length as king size — approximately 100–110 mm — but narrower, at around 42–46 mm wide. They produce a longer, slimmer roll than standard king size.
King size slim is popular in European markets and has grown in the US. RAW King Size Slim and OCB King Size Slim are among the widely available examples.
Rolling paper size comparison table
| Size | Typical length | Typical width | Roll character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single wide | 68–70 mm (2.7 in) | 34–36 mm (1.35 in) | Slim, compact — similar to a standard cigarette |
| 1¼ | 76–78 mm (3.0 in) | 45–48 mm (1.8 in) | Slightly longer and fuller than single wide |
| 1½ | 76–79 mm (3.0 in) | 60–63 mm (2.4 in) | Same length as 1¼, noticeably wider and thicker |
| King size | 100–110 mm (3.9–4.3 in) | 55–60 mm (2.2–2.4 in) | Longer roll, holds more tobacco |
| King size slim | 100–110 mm (3.9–4.3 in) | 42–46 mm (1.65–1.8 in) | Longest common format but stays slim |
Note: dimensions are typical industry ranges. Individual brands vary slightly. Check manufacturer packaging for exact dimensions.
Does size affect burn rate?
Size affects how long the roll takes to smoke — a longer paper produces a longer roll with more tobacco to burn through. It does not inherently change how fast the paper burns per millimetre.
Burn rate is primarily determined by paper weight (gsm) and base material. For a full explanation of how materials affect burn, see What are rolling papers made of?.
What size rolling paper do I need for a rolling machine?
Most rolling machines specify which paper size they are designed for. Common machine sizes are 70 mm (designed for single wide or short papers) and 110 mm (designed for king size papers). Using the wrong paper size for your machine — particularly a shorter paper in a longer machine — will typically result in poor sealing.
If you use a rolling machine, check its specified paper size before buying papers. The rolling papers hub covers this topic alongside machine compatibility.
Are rolling paper sizes the same in the US and Europe?
The size names are the same, but European brands sometimes define dimensions slightly differently from US brands. For example, what a European brand labels “king size slim” may be 108 mm long, while a US brand’s king size slim runs 105 mm. These differences are minor and are noted on packaging.
The material difference to be aware of: some European brands that sell in the US market produce papers sized for European rolling machines. Where this matters for machine compatibility, check the brand’s own specifications.
Where to find each size
All four main sizes — single wide, 1¼, 1½, and king size — are available from tobacco retailers, convenience stores, and online marketplaces. King size and 1¼ have the widest availability; 1½ is more limited but available from brands like Zig-Zag in the US. For further context on what to look for, see the rolling papers hub.
FAQ
Q: What is the most popular rolling paper size in the US? 1¼ and king size are the two dominant sizes in the US market. 1¼ is particularly common among everyday rollers; king size is popular for those who want a longer roll.
Q: What is the difference between king size and king size slim? Both are the same length — approximately 100–110 mm. King size slim is narrower, at around 42–46 mm wide versus 55–60 mm for standard king size. The slim format produces a longer, thinner roll.
Q: Are 1¼ papers the same as 78mm papers? They refer to the same format. Some brands and retailers label 1¼ papers by their approximate length — 78mm is common. The names are interchangeable in practice.
Q: What rolling paper size is closest to a standard cigarette? A single wide paper produces a roll closest in diameter and length to a standard manufactured cigarette, at approximately 68–70 mm long.
Q: Does a longer rolling paper burn longer? A longer paper produces a larger roll with more tobacco, which takes longer to smoke through. The paper itself does not burn at a different rate per unit length based on size — that is determined by material and weight.
Sources
- RAW Rolling Papers — HBI Innovations: https://www.hbiinnovations.com (Publisher: verify current product size specifications at RAW brand pages)
- OCB Rolling Papers: https://www.ocb.com (Publisher: manually confirm product size pages accessible)
- Elements Rolling Papers: https://www.elementspapers.com
- Rizla: https://www.rizla.com (Publisher: navigate from country gateway to confirm product size range)
- Zig-Zag US: https://www.zigzag.com
- Smoking Papers / Republic Technologies: https://www.republic-technologies.com