A broadsheet is the largest newspaper format and is characterized by long vertical pages, typically of 22.5 inches (57 cm) in height. Other common newspaper formats include the smaller Berliner and tabloid–compact formats.
Historically, the broadsheet format emerged in the 17th century as a means for printing musical and popular prints, and later became a medium for political activism through the reprinting of speeches. In Britain, the broadsheet newspaper developed in response to a 1712 tax on newspapers based on their page counts. Outside Britain, the broadsheet evolved for various reasons, including style and authority.