58mm vs 80mm receipt printers: which size does your shop need?

When you shop for a bill printer, the first choice is paper width: 58 mm or 80 mm. It sounds small, but it decides how much fits on each line, what the bill looks like, and which rolls you buy for as long as you use the printer.

The quick answer

• Choose 58 mm for small counters, simple bills, mobile use and short item names.
• Choose 80 mm for most shops with itemised bills, tax details, a logo or a QR code.

If you are unsure, 80 mm is the safer choice for a fixed counter. 58 mm is the safer choice if space or portability matters most.

How they compare

	58 mm	80 mm
Paper width	58 mm	80 mm
Printable width	roughly 48 mm	roughly 72 mm
Characters per line (standard font)	about 32	about 42 to 48
Typical use	Kiosks, mobile sales, small counters	Cafés, groceries, pharmacies, retail
Printer size	Compact	Larger, more stable on a counter
Logos and QR codes	Possible but small	Easier to read

The numbers are typical. Exact values depend on the printer model and the font, so check the spec sheet.

What it means for your bill

On a 58 mm roll, about 32 characters fit on a line. A long item name has to be shortened or wrapped, and prices can crowd the edge. On an 80 mm roll there is room for the item name, quantity and price on one line, with space for tax details and a footer message.

A good test: write out your longest typical bill, with real item names, and see whether it reads well in 32 characters per line.

Paper cost and availability

Rolls differ by width, diameter and core size, and they are not interchangeable between printers. Before you decide:

1. Check which roll sizes your printer takes (width and maximum diameter).
2. Find where you will buy them and compare prices per metre, not per roll, because roll lengths vary.
3. Make sure you can buy them reliably. A printer is useless without paper.

Which size for which shop

• Kiosk, street stall, delivery: 58 mm is light and portable.
• Café or restaurant: 80 mm, since bills are itemised and you may want a kitchen copy.
• Grocery or supermarket: 80 mm, for long itemised bills.
• Pharmacy: 80 mm, for batch, dosage and tax lines.
• Salon or service business: either. A short bill can work on 58 mm.

Printing less, whatever size you choose

The width you pick sets how long each bill is. The easiest way to cut paper cost is to print fewer bills. If a share of your customers do not want paper, a digital receipt means that roll lasts longer. Our receipt template pack also shows how to design a short, clear bill that wastes less paper.

Once you have chosen a width, read how to choose a bill printer for the rest of the checklist.