Choosing your Size
An imperfect science
The STILT Sizing System
At STILT, we’ve developed our own sizing chart, informed by several established references. These measurements are built into our product design to reflect a balanced ratio between typical book dimensions and support requirements, ensuring a practical, well-fitting solution for a wide range of volumes.
How to choose your STILT size
Measure height , head to tail in centimeters or inches.
Measure width of front cover, from spine to fore-edge.
Measure thickness of book.
Let us help you size your STILT
Want us to size your STILTS for you? Just send three measurements, always in this order:
Height x Width x Thickness
Standard (portrait) books: height is the bigger number, width the smaller.
Oblong (landscape) books: same order — Height x Width x Thickness — but here width is the bigger number, since the book is wider than tall.
Unusually thick books: consider sizing up, or just contact us and we'll help you choose.
Weight matters too: please include it along with your measurements — thickness and weight together determine what your different STILT product designs can safely support. Not sure if your book fits? Just ask us.
Centimeters
64mo: ≈ 8 x 6 x 1.5cm
48mo: ≈ 10 x 7 x 1.5cm
32mo: ≈ 12 x 8 x 2cm
16mo: ≈ 17 x 10 x 2cm
12mo: ≈ 19 x 12 x 3cm
Octavo: ≈ 24 x 15 x 4cm*
Royal Octavo: ≈ 26 × 16 x 4cm*
Quarto: ≈ 30 x 24 x 4cm*
Folio: ≈ 48 x 30 × 4cm
Elephant: ≈ 58 x 37 × 4cm
Atlas: ≈ 64 x 44 × 4cm
*Maximum recommended thickness for Facets = 3cm
Inches
64mo: 3” x 2 ½” x ½”
48mo: 4” x 2¾” x ½”
32mo: ≈ 4¾” x 3” x ¾”
16mo:≈ 6¾” x 4” x ¾”
12mo: ≈ 7½” x 4¾” x 1¼”
Octavo: ≈ 9½ x 6” x 1½” *
Royal Octavo: ≈ 10¼” × 6¼” × 1½” *
Quarto: ≈ 11¾” x 9½” x 1½” *
Folio: ≈ 19” x 11¾” x 1½”
Elephant: ≈ 22¾ x 14½” x 1½” ”
Atlas: ≈ 25½” x 17¼” x 1½” ”
**Maximum recommended thickness for Facets = 1¼”
These limits are intentionally conservative, so a book just outside them may still work fine. Don't hesitate to contact us and we'll help you check.
Book Weight
Our weight guidelines are designed to ensure optimal performance when using our products. However, the stand-alone Cradles, Cradles on Lecterns as well as our Codex, Omnibus and Absolute designs can safely support a significantly higher distributed weight. If you are working with a particularly heavy volume, please contact us for advice.
12mo = 700g
8vo = 1000g
4to = 2000g*
Folio = 2200g*
Elephant = 3000g
Atlas = 3500g
*1800g for Stands
Unusual Sizes
For oblong books, an off-the-shelf solution is to choose for a Cradle that is one size larger.
For precision sizing of book sizes that do not fall within our sizing we can produce a bespoke Cradle to fit your needs. Please contact us to discuss your options.
