Poster sizes chart: every standard size, and the frames that fit
US poster sizes from 11 x 17 to 27 x 40 inches, ISO A-series in mm and inches, aspect ratios, and how to pick a size that fits a ready-made frame.
Poster sizes look like a random list of numbers until you notice the pattern: a few aspect ratios, repeated at different scales, plus the international A-series used almost everywhere outside North America. Choose your size with the frame in mind and you will never again buy a beautiful print that fits nothing on the shelf.
US standard poster sizes
| Size (in) | Size (cm) | Ratio | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 x 10 | 20.3 x 25.4 | 4:5 | Small prints, desk frames, photo prints |
| 11 x 14 | 27.9 x 35.6 | about 4:5 | Small art prints, matted to 8 x 10 |
| 11 x 17 | 27.9 x 43.2 | 11:17 | Event flyers, menus, small posters (tabloid) |
| 12 x 18 | 30.5 x 45.7 | 2:3 | Small posters from photos |
| 16 x 20 | 40.6 x 50.8 | 4:5 | Art prints, photo enlargements |
| 18 x 24 | 45.7 x 61 | 3:4 | Medium posters, event and school posters |
| 20 x 30 | 50.8 x 76.2 | 2:3 | Photo posters |
| 24 x 36 | 61 x 91.4 | 2:3 | Large posters, art and music prints |
| 27 x 40 | 68.6 x 101.6 | about 2:3 | Movie one-sheets (theatrical posters) |
| 40 x 60 | 101.6 x 152.4 | 2:3 | Display and bus-shelter style posters |
International A-series sizes (ISO 216)
The A-series is based on a clever idea: every size has the ratio 1:√2 (about 1:1.414), so cutting a sheet in half gives two sheets of the next size down with exactly the same proportions. A0 has an area of one square meter.
| Size | mm | inches (approx.) | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 x 1189 | 33.1 x 46.8 | Large posters, academic posters, plans |
| A1 | 594 x 841 | 23.4 x 33.1 | Large wall posters |
| A2 | 420 x 594 | 16.5 x 23.4 | Medium posters, art prints |
| A3 | 297 x 420 | 11.7 x 16.5 | Small posters, prints |
| A4 | 210 x 297 | 8.3 x 11.7 | Documents, small prints |
| A5 | 148 x 210 | 5.8 x 8.3 | Flyers, postcards-plus |
If you buy prints from European or international sellers, you will often see A-series sizes. Frames for A-series sizes are widely available in those markets and increasingly in the US, but a US 18 x 24 frame won't fit an A2 print properly.
Aspect ratio: the number that really matters
A print and a frame must share a ratio, or something gets cropped or bordered. The main families:
- 2:3 — 4 x 6, 8 x 12, 12 x 18, 20 x 30, 24 x 36. The native shape of most camera photos.
- 3:4 — 6 x 8, 12 x 16, 18 x 24. The shape of most phone photos.
- 4:5 — 8 x 10, 16 x 20. Classic photo and art print shape.
- 1:√2 — the A-series.
- 11:17 — tabloid; close to, but not the same as, A3.
Choosing a size: quick guidance
By location
| Location | Typical poster size |
|---|---|
| Desk, shelf, small wall between windows | 8 x 10 to 11 x 14 |
| Hallway, bathroom, above a small table | 12 x 18 to 16 x 20 |
| Bedroom wall, office, above a desk | 18 x 24 |
| Above a sofa or bed (single piece) | 24 x 36 or larger |
| Feature wall, large living room | 27 x 40, 40 x 60, or a grouping |
| Gallery wall | Mix of 8 x 10, 11 x 14, 16 x 20, 18 x 24 |
For the proportion rules decorators use, see choosing the right size of wall art and our wall art calculator.
By viewing distance and detail
Detailed images such as maps, infographics and fine illustrations reward a bigger size so the detail can be read. Bold graphic posters with a single image work at any size. Check that the source file has enough resolution for the size you choose: see the print resolution guide.
Frames that fit: the shortcut
Standard poster frames are made for the standard sizes in the table above. A few combinations deserve a mention:
- Matted frames: a frame's outer size and its mat opening differ. A 16 x 20 frame with a mat often shows an 11 x 14 print; an 11 x 14 frame with a mat shows an 8 x 10. Read the listing carefully.
- 24 x 36 is the most common "big poster" frame and widely stocked.
- 27 x 40 movie posters need specific one-sheet frames, which are less common in general stores.
- 18 x 24 frames are easy to find and affordable, which makes it a great size for prints you plan to swap.
- A-series frames are sold as A4, A3, A2, A1; check they are not US sizes labeled loosely.
Our framing guide covers mats, glazing and mounting.
Printing your own poster
If you are printing your own design or photo, set up the file at the final size with bleed if your printer requires it (often 0.125 inch on each side) and keep text and important detail at least 0.25 inch from the edge. For posters seen up close, aim for about 200–300 ppi at final size; 150 ppi is fine for most wall posters seen from a few feet. See file setup.
Shipping and handling
Unframed posters ship rolled in a tube. Unroll them on a clean, flat surface and reverse-roll gently, or place them under light weights for a day, before framing. Large framed pieces ship in boxes and cost more because carriers price large boxes by dimensions. If you are buying large art online, check the shipping cost early.
Where to shop for posters and wall art
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Questions people ask
What is the most common poster size?
In the US, 24 x 36 inches and 18 x 24 inches are the most common poster sizes, followed by 11 x 17 inches. All three have widely available frames.
What size is a movie poster?
A standard US theatrical one-sheet is 27 x 40 inches. Older posters were often 27 x 41 inches. Many reprints and fan posters are sold at 24 x 36 inches.
Is A3 the same as 11 x 17?
No. A3 is 297 x 420 mm, about 11.7 x 16.5 inches, with a 1:1.414 ratio. Tabloid 11 x 17 is slightly narrower and longer. They are close but not interchangeable in frames.
What size is A2 in inches?
A2 is 420 x 594 mm, about 16.5 x 23.4 inches. It is close to 18 x 24 inches but a different shape, so an 18 x 24 frame won't fit it properly.
What poster size is best for a bedroom?
18 x 24 inches suits most bedroom walls; above a bed, choose 24 x 36 inches or a pair of 18 x 24 prints, aiming for roughly two-thirds of the bed's width.
Where to shop for posters and wall art
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Sources and further reading
Written and checked by K.R. for UnlimitedBanners.com. Product specs and prices change; confirm details with the printer or seller before you order. Spot an error? Tell us.
Keep reading
Posters & Wall ArtHow to frame a poster (and make it look custom)Picking a frame size, deciding on a mat, choosing acrylic or glass, mounting without damage and assembling it flat, with the mat-size math done for you.
Posters & Wall ArtWhat size wall art do you need? Proportion rules that workThe two-thirds rule, the 8–10 inch gap, how to size art for empty walls, beds, consoles and stairways, and a paper test that beats any calculator.
Design & File PrepPrint resolution: how big can your photo or file print?PPI, DPI and viewing distance explained, with a pixels-to-print-size table for posters and banners and what to do when your file is too small.