Whether you run a restaurant, café, hotel, retail shop, takeaway business, or small store, thermal receipt paper is one of those supplies you only notice when you run out — or, even worse, when you order the wrong size.

Thermal paper rolls may look very similar at first glance, but not every roll fits every receipt printer. The most important factors are the paper width, roll diameter, and core size. Choosing the correct combination ensures that the roll feeds properly, prints clearly, and does not jam your printer.

The good news? Once you understand the sizing system, finding the right roll becomes much easier.

Understanding Thermal Paper Sizes

Thermal paper is usually described using measurements such as

57 × 40 mm or 80 × 80 mm.

The first number refers to the width of the roll. The second usually refers to the outside diameter of the roll.

For example:

57 × 40 mm = approximately 57 mm wide and 40 mm in diameter.

There can be small variations in the actual dimensions. For instance, Epson specifies its "58 mm" paper as approximately 57.5 mm wide, while its 80 mm paper is approximately 79.5 mm wide.

The roll diameter is particularly important because a printer may support the correct width but not have enough space for a larger roll.

The Most Common Thermal Receipt Paper Sizes

1. Compact Receipt & Payment Terminal Rolls

57 × 40 mm is one of the most common small thermal paper sizes. It is particularly popular for portable POS systems, card payment terminals and compact receipt printers.

A good example is the Epson TM-P20II, a mobile receipt printer designed for 58 mm paper. Epson specifies a roll size of approximately 57.5 mm × 40 mm.

The size is also widely used in payment terminals. For example, 57 × 40 mm rolls are listed as compatible with devices such as the Epson TM-P20, Bixolon SPP-R200 and various Ingenico and Verifone terminals.

Typical uses

• Card payment terminals

• Small cafés and mobile POS systems

• Food trucks

• Delivery and takeaway businesses

• Portable receipt printers

• Small retail counters

Best for: Businesses where space and portability matter more than having a long receipt roll.

2. Longer Rolls for Compact Printers

57 × 50 mm keeps the same compact 57 mm width but increases the roll diameter to 50 mm. This means more paper per roll and fewer roll changes when the printer has enough internal space.

This size is commonly used for POS equipment and payment-related devices. Examples found in the market include Ingenico i5100, i7770, i7810, Verifone VX510/VX610, Spire T4210/T4220 and Citizen CMP-10BT.

Portuguese retailers also sell 57 × 50 × 11 mm thermal rolls specifically for Multibanco terminals, cash registers, printers and scales.

Typical uses

• Payment terminals

• Cash registers

• Compact POS printers

• Scales with integrated printers

• Retail and hospitality equipment

Best for: Businesses that use a 57/58 mm printer but want more paper per roll without moving to a larger roll width.

3. Standard Full-Size POS Receipt Rolls

When you think of a traditional restaurant or retail receipt printer, 80 mm x 80 mm thermal paper is probably the size that comes to mind.

The 80 mm format gives you considerably more printable width, which is useful for detailed receipts containing product descriptions, quantities, prices, VAT information, logos and QR codes.

The Epson TM-T20III, for example, is an 80 mm POS receipt printer and accepts rolls measuring approximately 79.5 mm wide, with a maximum roll diameter of 83 mm.

Other examples include the Epson TM-m30III, which supports both 57 mm and 80 mm roll widths, and the Star Micronics mC-Print3, which supports 80 mm paper as standard and 58 mm paper when the appropriate paper guide is installed.

Typical uses

• Restaurants

• Cafés

• Hotels

• Supermarkets

• Retail stores

• Hospitality POS systems

• High-volume checkout counters

Best for: Businesses that need more printing space and want professional-looking, easy-to-read receipts.

What About 80 × 60 mm?

You may also come across 80 × 60 mm rolls. These have the same 80 mm width as standard POS paper but a smaller roll diameter.

They can be useful in compact 80 mm printers, but compatibility depends heavily on the printer's roll compartment. A printer designed for 80 mm paper does not automatically accept every 80 mm diameter.

That's why it is important to check both dimensions.

Don't Forget the Core Size

Width and diameter are not the only measurements that matter.

The core is the hole in the centre of the roll. Different printers can accommodate different core sizes, and some rolls are supplied without a core or with specific core dimensions.

When replacing your paper, check:

Paper width + roll diameter + core diameter + printer model

For example, Epson's mobile TM-P20II uses approximately 57.5 × 40 mm rolls, while the TM-P80II uses approximately 79.5 × 51 mm rolls.

Which Thermal Paper Do You Need?

Here's a quick reference:

Important: These examples are reference points. Printer specifications can differ even between models from the same manufacturer. Always check your exact printer model before ordering.

The Easiest Way to Find the Right Roll

Don't have the printer manual handy?

Start with the old roll currently inside your printer.

Look for the dimensions printed on the packaging, or measure:

1. Roll width

2. Outside diameter

3. Core diameter

Then compare those measurements with your printer's specifications.

You can also search for your exact printer model when buying paper. This is often safer than searching for "58 mm paper" or "80 mm paper" alone.

Get the Right Receipt Paper with PaperFlow

Choosing thermal paper shouldn't be complicated.

At PaperFlow, we make it easier to find the receipt paper your business actually needs, whether you're replacing rolls in a restaurant POS, café till, hotel reception system, retail checkout or payment terminal.

From compact 57 mm rolls to full-size 80 mm POS rolls, you can choose the format that matches your equipment and order the quantity that works for your business.

No unnecessary searching. No complicated paper terminology. Just the right paper for your printer.

👉 Browse PaperFlow's thermal receipt paper collection and find your compatible roll today.