Midori MD Notebook Sizes: A5 vs A6 vs B6 Slim
A6 is the smallest and lightest Midori MD Notebook size in this comparison. B6 Slim keeps the same 105 mm width as A6 but adds height, giving more vertical room without becoming much wider in a bag. A5 offers the largest page, the longest natural line length, and the most desk-friendly writing area, with the tradeoff of higher weight and a larger footprint.
| Size | Dimensions | Pages | Weight | Layouts | Best use and tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD Notebook [A6] | H148 x W105 x D10 mm | 176 pages | Approx. 130 g | Blank, lined 7 mm, grid 5 mm, dot grid 5 mm | Best for the smallest carry format; the tradeoff is shorter lines and less page space. |
| MD Notebook [B6 Slim] | H175 x W105 x D10 mm | 176 pages | Approx. 153 g | Blank, lined 7 mm, grid 5 mm, dot grid 5 mm | Best for narrow daily notes with more height than A6; the tradeoff is still-limited width. |
| MD Notebook [A5] | H210 x W148 x D10 mm | 176 pages | Approx. 258 g | Blank, lined 7 mm, grid 5 mm, dot grid 5 mm | Best for maximum writing area; the tradeoff is the largest and heaviest format here. |
What stays the same across all three sizes
Before comparing Midori notebook sizes, it helps to separate the shared MD Notebook construction from the size-specific differences. A6, B6 Slim, and A5 all use MD PAPER for the cover and pages. They all use thread-stitched binding, include 176 pages, and are listed with a 10 mm depth. They also share the same core layout options: blank, 7 mm lined, 5 mm grid, and 5 mm dot grid.
Those shared facts matter because the choice is not mainly about paper identity or binding style. The practical MD Notebook size comparison is about measurable page area, line length, book weight, and how the notebook fits into a Canadian buyer's daily setting: a coat pocket, a small crossbody, a work tote, a backpack, a cafe table, a lecture hall, or a desk.
The construction also means the notebooks are designed around writing rather than decoration. The manufacturer describes the series as simply designed for writing, with a minimalist finish, glassine paper cover, bookmark string, and index stickers. The thread binding is intended to open flat, which is useful across all three sizes because the two-page spread can become part of the writing surface rather than a fight against the spine.
The subjective part is different. A notebook that feels perfectly compact to one person may feel cramped to another. A5 may feel generous at a desk but unnecessary for someone who only writes short daily lists. B6 Slim may feel balanced if the buyer likes narrow pages, or awkward if they prefer longer horizontal lines. The measurable facts give the baseline; the right fit depends on how much writing space you actually use.
A6 for the smallest and lightest format
In the Midori A5 vs A6 comparison, A6 is the clear compact choice. Its listed size is H148 x W105 x D10 mm, with 176 pages and an approximate weight of 130 g. Among these three, it is both the shortest and the lightest. That makes it the easiest candidate for everyday carry when minimizing bulk is the main goal.
The A6 page is useful when notes are brief, modular, and frequent. It suits quick task lists, pocketable reflections, shopping notes, meeting takeaways, vocabulary lists, appointment notes, and small sketches. Because the width is 105 mm, the line length is naturally short. That can be an advantage if you like compact entries and do not want a page that visually invites long paragraphs.
The tradeoff is writing area. A6 gives much less room than A5, and less vertical room than B6 Slim. If you regularly write lecture notes, meeting minutes, project outlines, or multi-step planning, the page may fill quickly. A6 can still work for those uses, but it asks you to write smaller, use more pages, or accept a more fragmented structure.
A6 is also the most forgiving size for carrying in winter coats, compact bags, and daily transit setups. For Canadian notebook buyers moving between work, school, errands, and public transit, the lighter weight may matter more than the page area. The measurable point is simple: approximately 130 g is notably lighter than A5's approximate 258 g. The subjective question is whether the narrower writing field still gives you enough space to think clearly.
B6 Slim as the narrow middle option
Midori B6 Slim sits between A6 and A5, but not by becoming evenly larger in every direction. Its listed size is H175 x W105 x D10 mm, with 176 pages and an approximate weight of 153 g. The key fact is that it has the same 105 mm width as A6, while adding 27 mm of height. It is not a wider notebook than A6; it is a taller one.
That makes B6 Slim a specific kind of middle option. It gives more vertical room for lists, dated entries, language notes, reading notes, and daily logs, but it keeps the narrow page character. If you like the handheld feel of A6 but wish each page could hold more lines, B6 Slim answers that problem directly. It expands capacity without moving into the broader A5 page.
The tradeoff is line length. Because the width remains 105 mm, B6 Slim does not solve the problem of short horizontal writing space. If your notes depend on wide diagrams, long sentences, tables, or side-by-side comparisons, A5 will usually be easier. B6 Slim is better understood as an elongated compact notebook, not a smaller A5.
Its approximate 153 g weight also places it close to A6 and far below A5. That difference is useful if you carry a notebook every day but want more space than A6 allows. The weight increase from A6 to B6 Slim is about 23 g, while the increase from B6 Slim to A5 is about 105 g. For many carry-focused buyers, that middle position is the point: more page height, still modest weight.
A5 for maximum writing area
A5 is the largest notebook in this comparison. Its listed size is H210 x W148 x D10 mm, with 176 pages and an approximate weight of 258 g. It is 62 mm taller and 43 mm wider than A6, and 35 mm taller and 43 mm wider than B6 Slim. Those measurements produce the most obvious difference in daily writing: a larger page and a longer natural line.
For buyers comparing Midori A5 vs A6, the A5 advantage is not subtle. A5 gives more room for meeting notes, study notes, drafting, journaling, project planning, mind maps, diagrams, and longer paragraphs. The page size lets you keep related ideas together instead of spreading them over multiple smaller pages. If your notebook often becomes a thinking surface, A5 is the strongest fit.
The tradeoff is carrying weight and footprint. At approximately 258 g, A5 is almost double the listed weight of A6 and clearly heavier than B6 Slim. It also takes more space in a bag and on a small cafe table. For someone who writes mainly at a desk, that may not matter. For someone who carries a notebook everywhere, the size can become a daily friction point.
A5 is the best choice when the writing experience matters more than compactness. It is especially practical if you use the lined layout for longer notes, the grid layout for structured thinking, or the dot grid layout for mixed writing and diagrams. It can still travel, but it is less pocket-minded and more work-surface-minded than the other two sizes.
Choose by line length, carrying weight and setting
The cleanest way to choose is to start with measurable constraints. First, decide whether 105 mm of width is enough. If it is, A6 and B6 Slim remain in play. If it is not, choose A5. Width affects line length more directly than height does, so it is the first practical filter for people who write full sentences, lecture notes, or connected paragraphs.
Second, decide how much vertical space you want before turning a page. A6 is shortest at 148 mm high. B6 Slim adds height at the same width, so it gives more lines per page without making the notebook wider. A5 gives the most height and width together. This is where B6 Slim earns its place: it is not merely a compromise, but a useful shape for people who like narrow writing columns with more room down the page.
Third, consider weight in the setting where the notebook will actually be used. The listed weights are approximately 130 g for A6, 153 g for B6 Slim, and 258 g for A5. If the notebook stays on a desk, A5's extra weight is usually easy to justify. If it moves daily in a small bag, the lighter A6 or B6 Slim may be more realistic.
For commute notes, pocket lists, and quick capture, A6 is the most portable. For daily logs, narrow journal entries, and list-heavy planning, B6 Slim offers a strong balance. For school, work sessions, writing drafts, and visual planning, A5 provides the most comfortable page. These are subjective fits, not universal rules, but they follow from the measurable dimensions.
Related Midori and notebook guides
If you are still choosing between notebook formats beyond this MD Notebook size comparison, it may help to step back from brand and look at everyday fit. The guide to how to pick a notebook for note-taking, paper size, binding, and everyday fit explains how size and binding affect real use.
Layout choice can matter as much as size. A blank A6 and a lined A6 can feel like different tools because one invites open composition while the other supports structured writing. For more on blank, lined, grid, and dot grid decisions, see a page layout for every kind of thinking.
As of August 2026, the manufacturer's Japan site lists tax-included yen prices of ¥990 for A6, ¥1,100 for B6 Slim, and ¥1,210 for A5. Canadian retail pricing, stock, and availability can differ, so treat those as date-qualified source prices rather than a Canadian checkout quote.
Conclusion
For Midori MD Notebook Sizes: A5 vs A6 vs B6 Slim, the decision is mostly about how much page you want to carry. Choose A6 if smallest and lightest matters most. Choose B6 Slim if you like A6's narrow width but want extra height and more lines per page. Choose A5 if you want the largest writing area and can accept the extra size and weight.
For a restrained next step, browse the available MD Product collection and compare the size, layout, and carry fit against the way you actually write.