Avery Label Template Numbers Explained From 5160 to 18160

You're staring at a box of labels that says "Avery 8160" and your software is asking for template "5160." Are these the same thing? Different? Will your labels print correctly or will everything be off by a millimeter and ruin an entire sheet?

You're not alone. Avery's numbering system is one of the most confusing things about printing labels at home or in a small office. Over the years, Avery has released dozens of product numbers that share identical dimensions but differ in printer compatibility, finish, or retail channel. The result is a web of cross-references that trips up even seasoned office managers.

This guide breaks down every common Avery label template number, explains exactly which ones are interchangeable, and gives you a quick-reference chart you can bookmark. Whether you're printing address labels, shipping labels, or file folder labels, you'll walk away knowing precisely which template to select. And if you want to skip the guesswork entirely, the FoxyLabels template catalog lets you search by size, labels per sheet, and brand compatibility so you find the right template in seconds.

Let's decode the numbers.

How Avery's Numbering System Actually Works

Before diving into specific template numbers, it helps to understand why Avery has so many product codes for what often turns out to be the same label sheet. There are three main reasons: printer type, product line, and retail distribution. Once you grasp these categories, the entire system clicks into place.

Printer Type Drives the First Digit

Avery originally used the 5000 series for laser printers and the 8000 series for inkjet printers. A label numbered 5160 was designed and tested for laser printing, while 8160 was optimized for inkjet. The physical dimensions of the label sheet, the number of labels per page, and the spacing between labels are identical. The only difference is the adhesive and coating, which are tuned to handle either toner heat or ink absorption.

Later, Avery introduced the 18000 series (sometimes called the "Easy Peel" line) which works with both laser and inkjet printers. So 18160 shares the exact same 1" x 2-5/8" layout as 5160 and 8160, but it uses a universal adhesive and includes the Easy Peel pop-up edge feature that makes peeling labels faster.

Here's the key takeaway: if two Avery products share the same last three digits, they almost always share the same template. The prefix tells you about the product line, not the layout.

Product Line and Retail Channels

Avery also creates distinct SKUs for different retailers. You might see a product numbered 15160 or 95160. These are sold through specific stores or bundled differently, but the template dimensions remain the same as 5160. Avery confirms this on their official templates directory, where searching for any of these numbers pulls up the same downloadable template.

The 48000 series (EcoFriendly line) adds another layer. Avery 48160, for example, is made from recycled materials but uses the identical 30-per-sheet, 1" x 2-5/8" layout. Same template, greener paper stock.

Why This Matters for Your Printing

When your software asks you to choose a template, it doesn't care about adhesive type or paper coating. It only cares about the physical layout: label width, label height, number of columns, number of rows, and margins. This means you can safely select "Avery 5160" in your software even if your physical labels are 8160, 18160, 48160, or any other variant with the same dimensions.

The risk comes when people assume that a different number means a different size. They hunt for a template labeled "18160" specifically, can't find it in their word processor's built-in list, and either give up or pick the wrong template. The fix is simple: look up the base number (the last three or four digits), confirm the dimensions match, and use that template.

This is also why tools like FoxyLabels are so useful. Rather than memorizing cross-references, you can search by the actual label dimensions or by any Avery product number and immediately get a compatible template that works in Google Docs, Google Sheets, or as a downloadable PDF.

The Complete Avery Cross-Reference Chart for Common Sizes

Below is a practical reference covering the most popular Avery label sizes. For each layout, you'll find every known compatible product number, the exact dimensions, and labels per sheet. Bookmark this section.

Address Labels (30 per sheet)

This is by far the most popular label format in the world. The layout is 3 columns by 10 rows on a standard letter-size sheet.

Yes, that's over 30 product numbers that all use the same template. If you have any of these labels, select the 5160 template in your software.

Shipping Labels (10 per sheet)

The second most common format, used for shipping, FBA product labels, and large address labels.

Shipping Labels (6 per sheet)

A larger format popular for warehouse and e-commerce fulfillment.

Full-Sheet Labels (1 per sheet)

Used for large signage, product wraps, or custom die-cut projects.

Return Address Labels (80 per sheet)

Tiny labels commonly used for return addresses or inventory marking.

Round Labels (12 per sheet, 2" diameter)

Popular for product jars, envelope seals, and craft projects.

File Folder Labels (30 per sheet)

Keep in mind that the tables above cover the most common variants. Avery periodically introduces new SKUs for promotional bundles or retailer exclusives. When in doubt, measure one label on your sheet with a ruler, then search by those exact dimensions in the FoxyLabels catalog to find a matching template.

What to Do When Your Labels Don't Match Any Template

Sometimes you buy a package of labels at a discount store, the box is slightly damaged, and you can't read the full product number. Or maybe you're using a third-party brand that claims Avery compatibility but doesn't specify which Avery number. Here's a reliable process to figure out the correct template.

Step 1: Measure Your Labels

Grab a ruler (a metal one is best for precision) and measure three things on a single label sheet:

1. Individual label width and height. Measure from edge to edge of one label. Write it down in inches.

2. Top margin. Measure from the top edge of the paper to the top edge of the first label row.

3. Side margin. Measure from the left edge of the paper to the left edge of the first label column.

Also count how many labels are on the sheet: count the columns and multiply by the rows.

Step 2: Match the Dimensions

Compare your measurements against the chart above. Most label sheets fall into a handful of standard sizes. If your label measures approximately 1" x 2-5/8" and you count 30 per sheet, you've got a 5160-compatible layout. If it's 2" x 4" with 10 per sheet, you're looking at a 5163 layout.

Small differences of 1/16" or less are usually due to measurement imprecision rather than an actually different template. Label manufacturers keep very tight tolerances on these standard sizes.

Step 3: Do a Test Print

Before printing on your actual label stock, print the template on plain paper first. Then hold the plain paper printout against a sheet of your labels and hold both up to a light source. The printed outlines should align with the label edges. If everything lines up, you're good to go.

If the alignment is slightly off, check that your printer isn't scaling the document. A very common mistake is having your printer set to "Fit to Page" or "Shrink to Fit" instead of printing at 100% actual size. For a detailed walkthrough on fixing scaling issues, check out this guide on fixing PDF labels printing at the wrong size.

Step 3b: Troubleshooting Persistent Misalignment

If your test print is off by more than 1/16" even with correct scaling, the issue might be your printer's built-in margins or a feed alignment problem. Every printer has a non-printable zone near the edges, and some models pull paper slightly to one side. You can often fix this by adjusting margins in your template by a tiny amount (try 0.05" increments). If alignment problems persist across multiple sheets, the guide on Avery labels not aligning correctly walks through a systematic decision tree to isolate the cause.

Understanding Third-Party "Avery Compatible" Labels

Brands like Maco, Staples, Office Depot, and Amazon Basics all sell label sheets that are designed to match Avery's most popular layouts. They'll usually say something like "compatible with Avery 5160" on the packaging. In practice, these third-party labels work perfectly with the same template. The label dimensions and sheet layout are identical because the whole point of compatibility is interchangeability.

Where you might notice a difference is in paper quality, adhesive strength, or how well the labels feed through your printer. But from a template perspective, if it says "compatible with 5160," use the 5160 template.

Choosing the Right Template and Printing With Confidence

Now that you understand the numbering system and have a cross-reference chart, let's put it all together with a practical workflow you can follow every time you need to print labels.

Pick Your Tool

You have several options for designing and printing labels:

• Google Docs or Google Sheets with the FoxyLabels add-on. This is a great option if you're doing a mail merge from a spreadsheet (wedding invitations, holiday cards, business mailings). You can browse the FoxyLabels template catalog, pick the template matching your label number, and generate a print-ready document directly from your data.

• Microsoft Word with its built-in label wizard. Word has a database of Avery templates, though it sometimes lags behind newer product numbers.

• Avery's own Design & Print software on their website, which is free but requires an internet connection and an Avery account.

• LibreOffice Writer, which also has a label template feature with many Avery layouts included.

Regardless of which tool you pick, the template selection step is where most mistakes happen. Use the cross-reference chart above to translate your product number into the base template number, then search for that base number.

Optimize Your Print Settings

Once your design looks good on screen, these print settings will save you from wasted label sheets:

• Set page scaling to 100% (Actual Size). Never use "Fit to Page."

• Select the correct paper size (Letter 8.5" x 11" for US labels, A4 for international).

• Use the rear feed tray if available. Label sheets are thicker than regular paper, and the rear tray has a straighter paper path that reduces jams.

• Print one test page on plain paper and compare against your label sheet before committing.

• If doing a large batch, print 5 sheets first, check alignment on the fifth sheet, then continue. Printers can drift slightly over long runs.

When to Consider Upgrading Your Workflow

If you're printing labels regularly, whether for a small business, a nonprofit's donor mailings, or a home organization project, a dedicated label tool pays for itself quickly in saved time and reduced waste. The FoxyLabels Google Sheets add-on, for example, lets you pull names and addresses directly from a spreadsheet and generate perfectly formatted label sheets with a single click. You can explore the available plans on the FoxyLabels pricing page to see which tier fits your needs.

The real cost of label printing isn't the labels themselves. It's the 20 minutes you spend hunting for the right template, the three sheets you waste on test prints, and the frustration of peeling misaligned labels off a jam in your printer. Get the template right once, save your settings, and every future print run becomes effortless.

Quick Reference Tip: Save this article as a bookmark. Next time you're standing in the office supply aisle wondering whether 5160 and 18160 are the same thing, you'll have the answer in your pocket.

Label printing doesn't have to be complicated. The numbering system looks intimidating at first glance, but the underlying logic is straightforward: same last digits, same template. Measure when in doubt, test print before committing, and use a tool that matches templates by actual dimensions rather than forcing you to memorize product codes. Your labels will come out perfectly aligned every single time.