Avery Label Template Sizes and Cross-Reference Number Guide

You've probably been there before. You're staring at a box of labels, squinting at the tiny template number on the packaging, and wondering if it matches the template you found online. Or maybe you bought Avery 8160 labels but every guide you find references Avery 5160. Are they the same thing? Can you use one template for the other?

The short answer is yes, many Avery label template numbers share identical dimensions. But knowing which numbers match up can save you hours of frustration, wasted labels, and misprinted projects. This guide breaks down the most common Avery template sizes, explains why multiple template numbers exist for the same label dimensions, and gives you a practical cross-reference chart so you never have to guess again. And when you're ready to print, the FoxyLabels Template Catalog lets you find and download compatible templates instantly by size, brand, or labels per sheet.

Let's clear up the confusion once and for all.

Why Avery Uses Multiple Template Numbers for the Same Label Size

If you've ever compared Avery 5160 and Avery 8160, you already know these two template numbers produce labels that are physically identical: 1" x 2.625", 30 labels per sheet, on standard US Letter paper. So why does Avery give them different numbers? The reason comes down to how Avery organizes its product lines, and understanding this system is the key to decoding their entire catalog.

The Avery Numbering System Logic

Avery assigns template numbers based on several factors beyond just label dimensions. The prefix digits often indicate the product line, the type of printer the labels are designed for, or the material and finish of the label stock. For example:

• 5000 series labels are typically designed for laser printers on white matte stock

• 8000 series labels are designed for inkjet printers, also on white matte stock

• 6000 series often indicates easy-peel features or repositionable adhesive

• 18000 series labels are value-pack versions sold in larger quantities

• 95900 series and similar high numbers may indicate bulk or warehouse-club packaging

The core dimensions and layout remain the same across these series. A 5160 label and an 8160 label are cut to the exact same size, arranged in the same grid on the same size sheet. The difference is in the coating or adhesive optimized for laser versus inkjet printing. From a template perspective, they're interchangeable.

This is why you'll sometimes see Avery list "compatible template numbers" on their packaging. They're acknowledging that the same template layout works across several product SKUs.

Why This Matters for Your Projects

Understanding this numbering system has real practical benefits:

• You can use one template for multiple label products. If you've set up a beautiful address label design using an Avery 5160 template, you can print it on 8160, 18160, or any other label with the same 1" x 2.625" layout without changing a thing.

• You can shop for deals without worrying about compatibility. If the 18160 value pack is cheaper than the 5160, grab it. The template is the same.

• You can find templates faster. Instead of searching for a specific obscure template number, search by the label dimensions or labels-per-sheet count. A layout with 30 labels per sheet at 1" x 2.625" will work regardless of which Avery number is on the box.

For a deeper dive into how these numbers relate to each other, check out this detailed breakdown of Avery label template numbers from 5160 to 18160.

The bottom line is simple: Avery's numbering system groups products by printer type, adhesive, and packaging rather than by size. Once you know the actual dimensions of your labels, you can confidently swap between template numbers in the same size family.

The Complete Avery Label Cross-Reference Chart

Here's where things get practical. Below you'll find the most commonly used Avery label sizes, organized by dimensions and labels per sheet. Each row lists all the Avery template numbers that share that exact same layout. If your label number appears anywhere in the same row, those templates are interchangeable.

Address and Mailing Labels

These are by far the most popular Avery labels. They cover everything from holiday card mailings to business correspondence.

Shipping and Large Labels

For packages, file folders, and large-format needs:

Round and Specialty Labels

Perfect for product branding, jar lids, and decorative projects:

Return Address Labels

Pro tip: When shopping for labels from brands like Sheetlabels, OnlineLabels, or store brands, look for the "compatible with Avery" template number. The dimensions are identical, and any template designed for that Avery number will work perfectly.

You can browse all of these sizes and more in the FoxyLabels Template Catalog, which organizes templates by dimensions, labels per sheet, and brand compatibility so you can skip the guesswork entirely.

How to Find the Right Template for Your Specific Labels

Having a cross-reference chart is great, but what do you do when you're holding a box of labels and can't find the template number? Or what if you bought generic labels without an Avery-compatible number listed? Here's a step-by-step approach that works every time.

Step 1: Check the Packaging First

Look for the template number on the label packaging. Avery prints it prominently on every box. Generic brands almost always include a line that reads something like "Compatible with Avery 5160" or "Use Avery template 8163." If you can find this number, your search is already over.

If the packaging is gone (we've all thrown it away too quickly), check for any remaining sheets. Some label brands print the template number or size on the backing sheet itself.

Step 2: Measure Your Labels

If you can't find a template number anywhere, grab a ruler and measure a single label on the sheet. You need two measurements:

1. Label width (the shorter dimension, measured horizontally)

2. Label height (the taller dimension, measured vertically)

Measure in inches and try to be precise to at least the nearest sixteenth of an inch. Common measurements you'll find:

• 1" x 2.625" (the classic address label)

• 2" x 4" (shipping labels)

• 1" x 4" (file folder labels)

• 0.5" x 1.75" (return address labels)

Step 3: Count Labels Per Sheet

Count the total number of labels on a single sheet. This is your second key identifier. Multiply the number of columns by the number of rows. For example, a sheet with 3 columns and 10 rows has 30 labels per sheet, which immediately points you toward the Avery 5160 family.

The combination of label dimensions plus labels per sheet will uniquely identify your template layout in almost every case.

Step 4: Match Dimensions to a Template

Using your measurements and label count, consult the cross-reference chart above. Or better yet, head to the FoxyLabels Template Catalog and filter by the number of labels per sheet or by dimensions. The catalog shows you exactly which templates match your specifications, with preview images so you can visually confirm the layout before downloading.

For anyone who works in Google Docs, the Avery label size chart and template picker guide walks through how to match these sizes with ready-made templates for Google's word processor.

Step 5: Print a Test Page

Before committing your entire label sheet, always print a test page on regular paper. Hold it up against your label sheet to verify alignment. Look for:

• Labels align with the printed rectangles

• Text doesn't bleed over label edges

• Margins match on all four sides of the sheet

• Content is centered within each label

This 30-second test can save you from wasting an entire sheet of labels, especially premium ones that cost more per sheet.

Common Cross-Reference Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with a chart in front of you, there are a few pitfalls that trip people up when working with Avery template numbers. Let's address the most common ones so you can sidestep them.

Confusing Laser and Inkjet Versions

While the 5160 (laser) and 8160 (inkjet) templates are dimensionally identical, the label stock itself has different coatings. Laser labels are designed to withstand the heat of a laser printer's fuser. Running inkjet labels through a laser printer can cause the adhesive to melt and potentially damage your printer. The labels may smear or curl. The template is the same, but always match the label stock to your printer type.

What to remember: Template interchangeability is about layout and dimensions. Your label stock still needs to match your printer.

Mixing Up US Letter and A4 Sizes

Avery manufactures labels for both US Letter (8.5" x 11") and A4 (210mm x 297mm) paper sizes. The Avery template numbers discussed in this guide are for US Letter sheets. If you're outside the United States and working with A4 labels, the template numbers are completely different (Avery uses L-series numbers like L7160 for A4). A US Letter template will not align correctly on A4 label sheets, even if the individual label dimensions look similar.

Assuming All "30-Up" Labels Are the Same

Just because two products both claim "30 labels per sheet" doesn't mean they share the same template. The label dimensions, spacing between labels, and margin sizes all factor in. Two different manufacturers might both produce 30-up labels, but one uses 1" x 2.625" labels while another uses a slightly different size. Always verify the actual label dimensions, not just the count.

Forgetting About Margins and Gutters

The space between labels (called gutters) and the margins around the edge of the sheet are part of the template specification. If you try to manually create a label layout in a word processor, getting the margins wrong by even a fraction of an inch will cause your labels to drift out of alignment as you go down the sheet. This is why using a pre-built template is always the safer choice. The margins and gutters are already set correctly.

The simplest rule: Don't reinvent the template. Find the right one, download it, and let the formatting work for you.

If you print labels regularly, whether for business mailings, product packaging, organization projects, or event planning, having reliable templates on hand makes everything faster. The FoxyLabels Template Catalog gives you instant access to templates in multiple formats (PDF, DOCX, ODT, and Pages) that work with every major Avery label size. And if you need advanced features like mail merge from a spreadsheet, FoxyLabels pricing plans offer premium tools that turn label printing into a quick, painless process.

Stop squinting at template numbers and start printing with confidence. Find your label size, grab the right template, and get your project done.