Digest size is a magazine size, smaller than a conventional size magazine but larger than a standard paperback book, approximately 5½ x 8¼ inches, but can also be 5⅜ x 8⅜ inches and 5½ x 7½ inches.[1] These sizes have evolved from the printing press operation end. Some printing presses refer to digest-size as a catalog size such as Avon products used when selling house to house.
The most famous digest-sized magazine is Reader's Digest, from which the size appears to have been named. TV Guide also used the format from its inception until 2005. This format was considered to be a more convenient size for readers to tote around or to leave on the coffee table within easy reach.
Since the 1950s it has also been used by several science fiction magazines including:
From the late 1960s on, several comic book publishers put out "comics digests," usually about 6¾ x 4 inches. Gold Key Comics did three that lasted until the mid-1970s. DC Comics did several in the early 1980s, and Harvey Comics also did a few during the same time. Archie Comics has published comics digests since the 1970s, and Marvel Comics produces occasional digests.
The mangagraphic novel format is similar to digest size, although slightly narrower and generally thicker.
The A5 paper size used by many UKfanzines is slightly wider and taller than digest size.
This size is less popular now than it once was; in 2005, TV Guide dropped it in favor of a larger format, and the Analog and Asimov's science fiction magazines switched to a format slightly larger than digest size several years earlier. The main publications remaining in digest size now are Reader's Digest and some Archie comics digests. Children's Digest was originally in digest size but switched long ago to a larger format as well, though keeping the word "Digest" in its name. Writer's Digest is another publication with the word in its name that is not actually in that size. CoffeeHouse Digest is a national magazine distributed free-of-charge at coffeehouses throughout the United States.
