LaTeX - how do I force PDF page height/width?

Question

I am attempting to finish my LaTeX project, and I can't seem to get the PDF to compile to the right size no matter what I do. In my .cls file I have this set:

\paperheight 11in
\paperwidth 8.5in

But no matter what I change it to, it compiles to about 8.25x11.7".

I can post my .cls files or anything else for that matter if someone knows hat I am doing Here is my .cls file: usfmanus.cls - I am using BakomaTex Word for my editor. When I compile my PDF, I am still getting strange dimensions. I really appreciate this, thank you.

Answer 1

The correct parameters to set are \pdfpageheight and \pdfpagewidth:

\pdfpageheight=11in
\pdfpagewidth=8.5in

However, this won't work in the "latex+dvips+ps2pdf" cycle. A code for both cases is

\usepackage{ifpdf}
\ifpdf
  \pdfpageheight=11in
  \pdfpagewidth=8.5in
\else
  \special{papersize=11in,8.5in}
\fi

The geometry way is better:

\usepackage[pass,letterpaper]{geometry}

or, if one wants a different paper size, (I'll use Letter paper sizes as example)

\usepackage[pass,paperwidth=8.5in,paperheight=11in]{geometry}

With the pass option, geometry won't change the class parameters for pagination, as it would do without it.

Note for BakomaTeX

As far as I know, BakomaTeX doesn't use pdflatex, so the

\usepackage[pass,letterpaper]{geometry}

should be the one to follow.

Answer 2

The geometry package might be useful here

\usepackage[paperheight=11in,paperwidth=8.5in]{geometry}

MWE:

    \documentclass{article}
    \usepackage[paperheight=11in,paperwidth=8.5in]{geometry}

    \begin{document}

    hello world

    \end{document}

Answer 3

you should probably use the geometry package:

\usepackage[letterpaper]{geometry}

and compile with pdflatex. If you compile with dvips and ps2pdf, pay attention to the driver settings

Answer 4

Try the following:

\usepackage{geometry}
\geometry{letterpaper}

Here you'll find the documentation for the geometry package.

Answer 5

Here is method without using a package:

\pdfpagewidth 8.5in
\pdfpageheight 11in

Answer 6

This might require the vmargin package, but using:

\setpapersize{USletter}

works too.

Answer 7

If you are using the layout package, you should call \usepackage{layout} after setting all your page parameters or \layout won't display correctly.

I just found out that if I include, \usepackage{pdflscape} It automatically parses the pdf page size correctly; even if you don't have any landscape pages.