When it comes to creating eye-catching displays, understanding standard poster sizes is essential. Whether you’re designing for advertisements, movie billboards, educational charts, or promotional placards, knowing the various dimensions available can greatly impact the effectiveness of your visual communication. Posters, placards, banners, and billboards come in an array of sizes, each suited for different purposes and venues. From the compact letter-sized formats to the expansive bus stop displays, selecting the right dimensions can ensure your message stands out and resonates with your audience. In this guide, we’ll delve into the common dimensions, measurements, and formats that define the world of poster printing, helping you choose the ideal size for your next project.
Visual content, (hello posters!), plays a crucial role in marketing strategies, with approximately 21.9% of marketers reporting that over 75% of their content is visual. Visual content is not only more engaging but also more persuasive, making it a key component in capturing audience attention and driving engagement. Posters are one of the most visual marketing mediums that exist, from wheatpasting to movie posters, everywhere you walk you’ll be walking by a poster. Let’s dive in to the common and standard sizes of the posters you see everyday.
Standard Poster Dimensions
| Format | in | cm | mm | pt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter | 8.5 x 11 | 21.59 x 27.94 | 215.9 x 279.4 | 612 x 792 |
| Tabloid | 11 x 17 | 27.94 x 43.18 | 279.4 x 431.8 | 792 x 1224 |
| 12 x 18 | 12 x 18 | 30.48 x 45.72 | 304.8 x 457.2 | 864 x 1296 |
| 16 x 20 | 16 x 20 | 40.64 x 50.8 | 406.4 x 508 | 1152 x 1440 |
| 18 x 24 | 18 x 24 | 45.72 x 60.96 | 457.2 x 609.6 | 1296 x 1728 |
| 20 x 30 | 20 x 30 | 50.8 x 76.2 | 508 x 762 | 1440 x 2160 |
| 24 x 36 | 24 x 36 | 60.96 x 91.44 | 609.6 x 914.4 | 1728 x 2592 |
| Movie Poster | 27 x 40 | 68.58 x 101.6 | 685.8 x 1016 | 1944 x 2880 |
| One Sheet | 27 x 41 | 68.58 x 104.14 | 685.8 x 1041.4 | 1944 x 2952 |
| 32 x 40 | 32 x 40 | 81.28 x 101.6 | 812.8 x 1016 | 2304 x 2880 |
| 36 x 48 | 36 x 48 | 91.44 x 121.92 | 914.4 x 1219.2 | 2592 x 3456 |
| Bus Stop Poster | 40 x 60 | 101.6 x 152.4 | 1016 x 1524 | 2880 x 4320 |
Data by PaperSizer.com.
What are the most common poster types?
Movie Posters: 27×40
Size in mm: 685.8mm x 1016mm
Size in pixels: 8100px x 12150px at 300ppi
Closest International Size: B1 (707 x 1000 mm / 27.8 x 39.4 in)
Movie posters are essential for promoting films, featuring captivating visuals and key information to attract audiences. Film studios, theaters, and distributors commonly use these posters to generate excitement and increase ticket sales. Common sizes include 24 x 36 inches and 27 x 40 inches.
Event Posters: 18×24
Size in mm: 457.2mm x 609.6mm
Size in pixels: 5400px x 7200px at 300ppi
Closest International Size: A2 (420 x 594 mm / 16.5 x 23.4 in)
Event posters are designed to promote various events such as festivals, conferences, and local gatherings. Event organizers, venues, and sponsors rely on these posters to attract attendees and provide essential event details. Common sizes include 11 x 17 inches and 18 x 24 inches.
Travel Posters: 24×36
Size in mm: 609.6mm x 914.4mm
Size in pixels: 7200px x 10800px at 300ppi
Closest International Size: A1 (594 x 841 mm / 23.4 x 33.1 in)
Travel posters showcase destinations and travel experiences, often used by tourism boards, travel agencies, and hotels to entice potential tourists and promote travel destinations. Common sizes include 16 x 20 inches and 24 x 36 inches. The travel industry heavily relies on visual marketing, with 67% of travelers influenced by visual content in choosing their destinations.
Educational Posters: 18×24
Size in mm: 457.2mm x 609.6mm
Size in pixels: 5400px x 7200px at 300ppi
Closest International Size: A2 (420 x 594 mm / 16.5 x 23.4 in)
Educational posters are used in classrooms and academic settings to provide information, reinforce learning, and enhance the educational environment. Schools, universities, and educational publishers commonly produce these posters. Common sizes include 18 x 24 inches and 24 x 36 inches.
Motivational Posters: 18×24
Size in mm: 457.2mm x 609.6mm
Size in pixels: 5400px x 7200px at 300ppi
Closest International Size: A2 (420 x 594 mm / 16.5 x 23.4 in)
Motivational posters feature inspirational quotes and images designed to boost morale and motivation. Businesses, gyms, and personal development coaches often use these posters to inspire and engage their audiences. Common sizes include 12 x 18 inches and 18 x 24 inches.
Concert Posters: 18×24
Size in mm: 457.2mm x 609.6mm
Size in pixels: 5400px x 7200px at 300ppi
Closest International Size: A2 (420 x 594 mm / 16.5 x 23.4 in)
Concert posters promote music events, highlighting the performers, venue, and date. Music promoters, concert venues, and bands use these posters to draw crowds and generate buzz for live performances. Common sizes include 11 x 17 inches and 18 x 24 inches. According to Statista, live music events generated over $25 billion in revenue in 2023.
Advertising Posters: 24×36
Size in mm: 609.6mm x 914.4mm
Size in pixels: 7200px x 10800px at 300ppi
Closest International Size: A1 (594 x 841 mm / 23.4 x 33.1 in)
Advertising posters are used by businesses to promote products, services, or brands. Retailers, marketers, and advertising agencies utilize these posters to capture consumer attention and drive sales as research suggests visual content, such as posters, is 43% more persuasive than text alone. Common sizes include 24 x 36 inches and 27 x 40 inches.
Political Posters: 18×24
Size in mm: 457.2mm x 609.6mm
Size in pixels: 5400px x 7200px at 300ppi
Closest International Size: A2 (420 x 594 mm / 16.5 x 23.4 in)
Political posters are used during campaigns to promote candidates, policies, or causes. Political parties, advocacy groups, and campaign teams rely on these posters to communicate messages and garner support and according to Pew Research, a well-designed political poster can increase voter engagement by up to 20%. Common sizes include 16 x 20 inches and 18 x 24 inches.
Art Posters: 24×36
Size in mm: 609.6mm x 914.4mm
Size in pixels: 7200px x 10800px at 300ppi
Closest International Size: A1 (594 x 841 mm / 23.4 x 33.1 in)
Art posters showcase artistic works, often used by galleries, museums, and artists to promote exhibitions or sell prints. These posters appeal to art enthusiasts and collectors. Common sizes include 18 x 24 inches and 24 x 36 inches.
Sports Posters: 24×36
Size in mm: 609.6mm x 914.4mm
Size in pixels: 7200px x 10800px at 300ppi
Closest International Size: A1 (594 x 841 mm / 23.4 x 33.1 in)
Sports posters feature athletes, teams, and sporting events, used to promote games and celebrate athletic achievements. Sports teams, event organizers, and sports merchandise retailers commonly use these posters. Common sizes include 24 x 36 inches and 27 x 40 inches.
Promotional Posters: 18×24
Size in mm: 457.2mm x 609.6mm
Size in pixels: 5400px x 7200px at 300ppi
Closest International Size: A2 (420 x 594 mm / 16.5 x 23.4 in)
Promotional posters are versatile tools used to advertise special offers, new products, or events. Businesses of all sizes, from small retailers to large corporations, use these posters to boost their marketing efforts. Common sizes include 11 x 17 inches and 18 x 24 inches.
Campaign Posters: 18×24
Size in mm: 457.2mm x 609.6mm
Size in pixels: 5400px x 7200px at 300ppi
Closest International Size: A2 (420 x 594 mm / 16.5 x 23.4 in)
Campaign posters are used in various campaigns, including political, social, and environmental initiatives. Advocacy groups, non-profits, and political candidates use these posters to raise awareness and mobilize support. Common sizes include 18 x 24 inches and 24 x 36 inches.
Custom Poster Sizes & Printing
Beyond the standard poster dimensions, advanced large format printers can create posters in virtually any size imaginable. Custom poster dimensions provide flexibility, but we have state-of-the-art printing presses in our New York warehouse that can print any dimension on any material. Get a custom poster quote today!
When printing large posters or those intended for outdoor or high-traffic areas, it’s advisable to consider mounting the poster on foam board post-printing. Mounting and lamination play crucial roles in determining the durability and display quality of your poster. Outdoor displays, in particular, require additional reinforcement to withstand environmental elements and prevent rapid deterioration compared to indoor posters. Talk to one of our sales staff today to help you with your next poster printing project.
