Standard Poster Sizes: Which One to Choose
by PrintPlace - Published on August 1, 2017 - Updated on September 26, 2025
Key Takeaways:
- • Choosing the right poster size allows it to convey the right message and to look harmonious with the location.
- • Some design principles that work on large posters may not apply to small ones because of their different viewing distance.
• Posters are available in standard sizes, with the ideal one depending on the recommended uses, intended viewing distance, location, and design
Posters are versatile printed materials that you can use to decorate walls, announce events, and promote products and services. They are typically designed with visually striking images and unique typography to get people's attention.
However, picking the right poster size further ensures that you get people's attention and convey an impactful and memorable message.
In this article, we explain the standard poster sizes and their ideal uses based on factors such as location, design, and purpose.
Standard Poster Sizes
| Standard Poster Sizes | Description | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| "11" x 17" or Tabloid Size | The smallest standard poster size; it's the same as two pieces of standard US letter (8.5" x 11") paper placed side-by-side. |
|
| 18" x 24” and 19” x 27” | Medium posters are the go-to sizes for office and storefront displays. |
|
| 24" x 36" and 27" x 39" | Large-format posters are for bold statements and high visibility. |
|
Small Posters like 11" x 17" or Tabloid Size
Small posters are meant to be read up close, so they are typically displayed on community bulletin boards, store windows, and confined spaces. Their compact size also makes them ideal for distributing handouts.
When designing small posters, it's highly recommended to stick to one message complemented by simple graphics to avoid a cluttered look. Check out these other poster design rules to ensure you deliver an impactful message.
Moreover, use simple and readable typography. For text-heavy small posters like restaurant menus, "clean" sans-serif fonts (they don't have small feet at the ends of each letter) like Helvetica or Montserrat complement modern designs. But for a more traditional feel, elegant serifs (they have small feet at the ends of each letter) like Garamond are an excellent choice.
Avoid script and decorative fonts in long copy; they are only suitable for headlines and short text when impact is the main priority rather than readability.
Medium Posters like 18" x 24” and 19” x 27”
Medium-sized posters are suitable for home decoration, office interior, and storefront display.
Although they give you additional room for design, don't be tempted to fill them with long text and too many images and graphic elements that may weaken their impact and confuse the readers.
Overcrowding your poster design with too many fonts, colors, images, and graphic embellishments may also put off viewers. For most people, it only takes 11 seconds for them to decide if your print is worth their time.
Large-Format Posters like 24” x 36” and 27” x 39”
They are a popular size for movie posters and outdoor ads in high-traffic areas, such as malls, transportation hubs like bus stops, event halls, convention centers, and sidewalks.
When designing large-format posters, use high-resolution images and simple and readable typography that is legible from up to 10 yards. Check out these general tips when designing advertising posters and graphics format guidelines for poster printing.
How to Choose the Right Poster Size
Check out these factors that determine the ideal poster size:
Design: The amount of text and details will determine the ideal size. The more information, the bigger the poster you'll need.
Level of Impact: Use larger posters to command attention and naturally draw people's eyes. Just make sure the size does not cause obstruction or inconvenience to passersby.
Purpose: Choose a standard poster size that aligns with your main goal. For example, do you want to display a reminder about a new company policy, or do you need to catch event attendees with striking visuals?
Indoor vs. outdoor: Outdoor ads in busy locations need to cut through the visual noise, so they often come in large formats. By contrast, posters displayed on office walls, glass doors, and storefronts are usually smaller.
Typography Tips for Posters
All effective poster designs have one thing in common: They offer excellent readability and thus encourage viewers to take the desired action.
One way to promote readability is to use the correct font size, which will depend on the poster size and its intended viewing distance. Many posters are viewed from 4-7 feet and thus follow this general guideline.
| Poster Text | Recommended Minimum Font Siz |
|---|---|
| Title | 72 pt. (1”) |
| Section Headings | 36 pt. (0.5”) |
| Body Text | 28 pt. (0.40”) |
| Citations or Acknowledgements | 24 pt. (0.33”) |
| Image Descriptions | 24 pt. (0.33”) |
When designing posters that are either too small or too large, the guidelines above may not apply, and you may have to make the fonts smaller or bigger. As a general rule, the intended viewing distance is 1.5-2 times a poster's diagonal measurement.
Other tips to improve your poster's readability:
- • Use ample white space (about 30-50% of the poster design should be "empty").
- • Avoid long copy.
- • Utilize high color contrast between the text and the background.
- • Create a visual hierarchy using scale and size.
- • Eliminate elements that create visual clutter.
- • Use simple and readable fonts that lack swashes and other embellishments.
- • Limit the use of script and decorative fonts to headlines and short text.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common poster sizes?
The 11" x 17" (small), 18" x 24" (medium), and 24" x 36" (large) are the most popular poster sizes.
What size is a movie poster?
Large movie posters are usually 27" x 39" or 27" x 40".
Can posters be custom sizes?
Absolutely! You can design posters based on the size you need.
Now that you know the most common poster sizes, their ideal uses, and some general guidelines on design, we hope you can start designing your poster with more confidence. Feel free to use our pre-made templates with bleed and margins to help you create professional-looking prints.
PrintPlace also offers free digital proofs, which are available upon request. These PDF proofs allow you to review your poster design, catch errors, and avoid costly reprints.
