A lever-arch file is one of the most common office solutions for organizing paperwork. But when selecting one, the question often arises: how many pages can it hold? If you pick one too small, it will burst; too large, and you waste space and cost. This guide helps you understand the capacity, what affects it, and how REXON’s lever-arch files fit into the picture.
Several factors influence how many sheets (pages) a lever-arch file can contain:
Spine width: The thicker the spine (also often specified in mm), the more paper it can hold.
Paper weight (gsm): Heavier paper takes more space. Standard office paper (around 70-80 gsm) is commonly used. If you're storing thicker paper, card stock, or heavy forms, capacity drops.
Mechanism type & inside design: If the internal lever and arch hardware is large or has extra components (compressor bars, etc.), usable space is reduced. Also dividers, pocket inserts or reinforced covers can eat into space.
How tightly the file is packed: You can force more sheets in than the nominal capacity, but that puts stress on the mechanism and may make it harder to close and open safely.
Here are general benchmarks based on standard A4 Lever Arch Files using ~80 gsm (standard office) paper:
| Spine Width | Approximate Capacity (80 gsm paper) |
|---|---|
| ~ 50-60 mm | ~ 300-400 pages |
| ~ 65-75 mm | ~ 450-550 pages |
| ~ 80-85 mm | ~ 550-600 pages |
| ~ 100 mm or more (“jumbo”) | ~ 700+ pages (may be tight) |
For example, a lever-arch file with an 80 mm spine often holds around 550-600 pages of 80 gsm paper. Some “jumbo” or large capacity lever-arch files push that to ~ 700 when overfilled.
Even if a file is rated for 600 sheets, real-world use might give you less. Here’s why:
Dividers, index tabs, plastic pockets, or transparent sleeves add bulk.
Heavier or glossy paper takes more room.
The lever mechanism or compressor bar reduces usable space.
If papers are not perfectly flat or aligned, they take slightly more room.
For durability and ease of use, users often fill only 80–90% to avoid stressing the file or making it hard to close.
When considering your purchase, you’ll want quality as well as capacity. REXON, a Chinese manufacturer, offers a strong portfolio of lever-arch files. Some of their key features:
Durable materials: tough board cores, wrapped with long-lasting polypropylene, which resists dust and moisture.
Strong metal lever-arch mechanism designed to securely hold documents and survive frequent opening/closing.
Multiple size and color options, including standard A4 and larger formats.
Customization is available: color, branding/printing, extra features like tabbed dividers or pockets inside.
This means when you buy a REXON lever-arch file, you’re likely to get both the capacity you need and enough quality and durability to ensure the file remains usable for a long time.
Here are some steps to pick the best lever-arch file:
Estimate how many pages you need to file: Gather up the documents you intend to store now, plus room for growth (extra documents in future).
Choose a spine width that accommodates that quantity, allowing a margin (often 20-30%) so it's not overstuffed.
Check paper type/weights: If you work with thicker paper, adjust downwards.
Think about accessories: If you use dividers, sleeves, pockets, factor those into capacity.
Consider durability: The mechanism, material of cover, and resistance to damage (moisture, rough handling) matters. This is where brands like REXON shine.
Most standard A4 lever-arch files (65-80 mm spine, ~80 gsm paper) hold 450-600 pages comfortably.
Larger or “jumbo” files may hold 700 or more, though that’s pushing the limits.
REXON offers files that match these capacities, with good build quality, materials, and customization so you can match capacity and durability.
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