What is the most common poster size?

The most common poster size in the US is 18×24 inches, widely sold in stores and easily found in standard frames. The 24×36 inch size is the most popular for movie posters and event posters.

What is a standard small poster size?

The most common small poster sizes are 11×14 inches (sometimes called a 'mini poster') and 12×18 inches. Both are easy to frame with standard frames from IKEA or Target.

What size is a movie poster?

The standard US movie theater poster (also called a one-sheet) is 27×40 inches. This is the large vertical poster you see in cinema display frames. The smaller bus shelter or subway poster is 40×60 inches.

What DPI do I need for a poster?

For professional poster printing, aim for 300 DPI at the final print size. For large format posters (24×36 and above) that are viewed from a distance, 150 DPI is often acceptable. At 300 DPI, an 18×24 poster requires a 5400×7200 pixel image (38.9 megapixels).

Are poster sizes the same worldwide?

No. The US and Canada use inch-based sizes like 18×24 and 24×36. Most of Europe and Asia use the ISO A-series: A1 (23.4×33.1 inches) is the closest equivalent to 24×36, and A2 (16.5×23.4 inches) is similar to 18×24. If you're selling internationally, offering both sets of sizes is important.

Standard Poster Sizes: Complete Chart & Visual Guide

Poster sizes drawn to scale

All poster sizes below are drawn proportionally — so you can actually see the size difference between an 18×24 and a 24×36 before you order prints.

← All sizes drawn at the same scale. Reference: an 8.5×11" letter page is shown in grey.

Complete poster size chart

Every standard poster size with pixel requirements at 300 DPI and common use cases.

Size (inches)	Common Name	300 DPI Resolution	Typical Use	Standard Frames?
Mini Posters
11×14"	Mini poster / oversized photo	3300 × 4200 px	Gallery wall, bedroom, kids' rooms	Yes
12×18"	Small poster	3600 × 5400 px	Dorm rooms, art prints, Etsy prints	Select stores
Standard Posters
18×24" Most popular	Standard poster	5400 × 7200 px	Concert posters, event posters, classroom	Yes
20×28"	—	6000 × 8400 px	Retail displays, trade shows	Custom
20×30"	—	6000 × 9000 px	Promotional, photography enlargements	Select stores
Large Posters
24×36" Most popular	Large poster / standard movie poster	7200 × 10800 px	Movies, bands, sports, large wall art	Yes
27×39"	International movie one-sheet	8100 × 11700 px	European theatrical posters	Specialty
27×40"	US movie one-sheet (theatrical)	8100 × 12000 px	Cinema display frames, collector posters	Specialty
A-Series Equivalents (International)
A3 (11.7×16.5")	A3 poster (EU/Asia)	3508 × 4961 px	Office/school posters, European retail	Yes (EU)
A2 (16.5×23.4")	A2 poster	4961 × 7016 px	Event posters, informational displays	Yes (EU)
A1 (23.4×33.1")	A1 poster	7016 × 9933 px	Large wall art, retail POS displays	Select EU stores
A0 (33.1×46.8")	A0 — large format	9933 × 14043 px	Exhibition, scientific posters, architecture	Specialty

How to choose a poster size

The right poster size depends on your wall space, viewing distance, and where you plan to frame it. Here are the three most common scenarios:

Home / gallery wall: 18×24" or 12×18"

For most home walls, 18×24" is the sweet spot — big enough to make an impact, small enough to fit in standard frames from IKEA, Target, or Amazon. For smaller walls or gallery groupings, 12×18" is ideal.

Event / band poster: 18×24" or 24×36"

Concert posters and event posters typically come in 18×24" (for venues) or 24×36" (for larger events or collector editions). Both are widely available from print services like Printify and Printful.

International sales: A2 or A1 (A-series)

If you sell on Etsy to European or Asian customers, A2 (16.5×23.4") and A1 (23.4×33.1") are the sizes they look for. Offering both US and A-series versions dramatically expands your audience.

Tips for ordering poster prints

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Check your aspect ratio first

18×24 (3:4 ratio) and 24×36 (2:3 ratio) are different proportions. A square image will look wrong. Check your image's ratio before ordering.

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Add bleed for professional prints

Professional printers require 0.125" bleed on all sides. Your design should extend beyond the trim edge so cropping doesn't cut into content.

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Use sRGB for digital files

Save your file in sRGB color profile for most online printers. CMYK is only needed if the printer specifically requests it — most modern digital printers handle sRGB to CMYK conversion.

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Large format = lower DPI is OK

A 24×36 poster viewed from 3+ feet away looks fine at 150 DPI. You don't need 300 DPI for every poster — the viewing distance matters.

Frequently asked questions

The most common poster size in the US is 18×24 inches, widely available in stores and standard frames. The 24×36 inch size is the most recognized for movie and event posters. Both are available for purchase from major retailers (IKEA, Target, Amazon) and print services.

The most common small poster sizes are 11×14 inches (sometimes called a mini poster or oversized photo) and 12×18 inches. The 11×14 is especially popular because it fits in standard photo frames widely available at Target, IKEA, and Amazon.

The standard US theatrical movie poster (the "one-sheet") is 27×40 inches. This fits in the lobby frame displays used in cinemas. Collector posters are also commonly sold in 24×36 inches, which is easier to frame at home. European movie posters use the A1 format (23.4×33.1 inches).

For close-up viewing (framed art prints, small posters), aim for 300 DPI at the final print size. For large format posters (24×36 and above) viewed from a normal distance of 3+ feet, 150 DPI is usually acceptable. At 300 DPI, an 18×24 poster requires a 5400×7200 pixel image (about 39 megapixels). Use our calculator above to check your specific image.

No. The US and Canada use inch-based sizes like 18×24 and 24×36. Most of Europe, Asia, and Australia use the ISO A-series: A2 (16.5×23.4") is similar to 18×24, and A1 (23.4×33.1") is similar to 24×36. If you sell prints internationally on Etsy or Redbubble, offering both US and A-series versions maximizes your potential buyers.

Related guides

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Standard Poster Sizes: The Complete Chart