Poster sizes: standard dimensions and pixels
Standard US poster sizes are 11 × 17, 12 × 18, 18 × 24 and 24 × 36 inches, and 27 × 40 in for movie one-sheets. In A-size countries they are A3 (297 × 420 mm), A2 (420 × 594 mm), A1 (594 × 841 mm) and A0 (841 × 1189 mm). A 24 × 36 in poster is 7200 × 10800 pixels at 300 ppi, but 150 ppi (3600 × 5400 px) is enough for anything viewed from more than an arm’s length.
Poster sizes: dimensions, bleed and pixels
Bleed is 0.125 in on every side for inch sizes and 3 mm for metric ones. Pixels are rounded to the nearest whole pixel.
| Size | Inches | Millimeters | With bleed | Pixels at 300 ppi (with bleed) | Pixels at 150 ppi (with bleed) | Notes and template |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tabloid | 11 × 17 in | 279.4 × 431.8 mm | 11.25 × 17.25 in | 3,300 × 5,100 px 3,375 × 5,175 px | 1,650 × 2,550 px 1,688 × 2,588 px | Template |
| Small | 12 × 18 in | 304.8 × 457.2 mm | 12.25 × 18.25 in | 3,600 × 5,400 px 3,675 × 5,475 px | 1,800 × 2,700 px 1,838 × 2,738 px | |
| Medium | 18 × 24 in | 457.2 × 609.6 mm | 18.25 × 24.25 in | 5,400 × 7,200 px 5,475 × 7,275 px | 2,700 × 3,600 px 2,738 × 3,638 px | Template |
| Large | 24 × 36 in | 609.6 × 914.4 mm | 24.25 × 36.25 in | 7,200 × 10,800 px 7,275 × 10,875 px | 3,600 × 5,400 px 3,638 × 5,438 px | Template |
| Movie one-sheet | 27 × 40 in | 685.8 × 1016 mm | 27.25 × 40.25 in | 8,100 × 12,000 px 8,175 × 12,075 px | 4,050 × 6,000 px 4,088 × 6,038 px | |
| A3 | 11.69 × 16.54 in | 297 × 420 mm | 303 × 426 mm | 3,508 × 4,961 px 3,579 × 5,031 px | 1,754 × 2,480 px 1,789 × 2,516 px | Template |
| A2 | 16.54 × 23.39 in | 420 × 594 mm | 426 × 600 mm | 4,961 × 7,016 px 5,031 × 7,087 px | 2,480 × 3,508 px 2,516 × 3,543 px | |
| A1 | 23.39 × 33.11 in | 594 × 841 mm | 600 × 847 mm | 7,016 × 9,933 px 7,087 × 10,004 px | 3,508 × 4,967 px 3,543 × 5,002 px | |
| A0 | 33.11 × 46.81 in | 841 × 1189 mm | 847 × 1195 mm | 9,933 × 14,043 px 10,004 × 14,114 px | 4,967 × 7,022 px 5,002 × 7,057 px |
Resolution: 300 or 150 ppi?
People read a poster from a distance, so it doesn’t need the 300 ppi of a business card. 150 ppi at full size looks sharp from about three feet away, and most large posters are printed from files at 150 to 200 ppi. Use 300 ppi for small posters (11 × 17 in and A3) and anything people will look at up close, such as a detailed map or a fine-art print.
Type, logos and shapes should stay vector, so they print sharp at any size; only photos need the pixel counts below. AI-generated images are usually around 1000 to 2000 pixels wide, far short of a large poster: see AI images that aren’t print-ready.
Not every size has the same shape
Every A size has the same proportions (1 : 1.414), so an A3 design scales up to A2, A1 or A0 without cropping. US sizes don’t: 18 × 24 in is 3 : 4 and 24 × 36 in is 2 : 3, so a design made for one has to be cropped or relaid for the other. Decide the final size before designing, or build the layout with room at the edges.
Questions
- What size is a 24 × 36 poster in pixels?
- 7200 × 10800 pixels at 300 ppi, or 3600 × 5400 at 150 ppi. With 0.125 in of bleed on every side, 7275 × 10875 px at 300 ppi, or 3638 × 5438 at 150.
- What size is A2 in inches?
- A2 is 420 × 594 mm, which is 16.54 × 23.39 in. A1 is 23.39 × 33.11 in and A3 is 11.69 × 16.54 in.
- What resolution should a poster be?
- About 150 ppi at full size for posters seen from a few feet away, and 300 ppi for small posters and pieces seen up close. Check an image with the DPI calculator, which also shows the largest size it can print.
- Can I print an 18 × 24 design at 24 × 36?
- Not without changing it: 18 × 24 is a 3 : 4 shape and 24 × 36 is 2 : 3, so the larger poster is relatively taller. Scaling it up leaves gaps or crops the edges; the layout needs adjusting.
If the printer sends the file back
Terms on this page: DPI / PPI (resolution), Raster (bitmap), Vector.
More print sizes, or all of them on one page:
Cards, paper and stationery: Business card · Postcard · Paper · Envelope · Letterhead · Greeting card · Presentation folder
Flyers, brochures and handouts: Flyer · Brochure · Rack card · Door hanger · Menu · Table tent · Bookmark
Stickers, labels and tags: Sticker · Label · Hang tag
Bottle, can and jar labels: Wine label · Beer label · Water bottle label · Candle label · Jar label
Boxes and packaging: Mailer box · Shipping box · Tuck box · Stand-up pouch · Pizza box
Posters, books and calendars: Book · Calendar
Signs, billboards and vehicles: Banner · Yard sign · Car magnet · Billboard
T-shirts and apparel: T-shirt
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