Poster sizes
Poster sizes range from small 11×17 inch indoor displays to large 36×48 inch research posters, with 24×36 being one of the most common standard formats. Each size has different use cases, printing requirements, and frame availability.
All pixel dimensions below are at 300 DPI unless noted. For large posters, some print providers allow lower effective resolution depending on viewing distance and the amount of fine detail in the artwork.
Quick reference
| Format | Size | Pixels | Ratio | Max size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Poster (11×17) | 279.4 × 431.8 mm (11 × 17 in) | 3300 × 5100 px | 11:17 | — |
| Medium Poster (18×24) | 457.2 × 609.6 mm (18 × 24 in) | 5400 × 7200 px | 3:4 | — |
| Standard Poster (24×36) | 609.6 × 914.4 mm (24 × 36 in) | 7200 × 10800 px | 2:3 | — |
| Movie Poster (27×40) | 685.8 × 1016 mm (27 × 40 in) | 8100 × 12000 px | 27:40 | — |
| Research Poster (36×48) | 914.4 × 1219.2 mm (36 × 48 in) | 10800 × 14400 px | 3:4 | — |
Small Poster (11×17)3300×5100px
The small poster size is 11×17 inches (279×432mm) — the same as US Tabloid paper. At 300 DPI, that's 3300×5100 pixels. This is the most accessible poster size because it can be printed on any wide-format office printer, making it ideal for bulletin boards, classroom posters, indoor notices, and small event promotions.
11×17 (Tabloid) is the largest size most standard office wide-format printers can handle, which makes it the go-to for DIY poster printing. You can print these in-house without a print shop, which is why it's the dominant format for bulletin boards, classroom displays, shop window notices, and internal announcements.
Dimensions
3300×5100
Aspect ratio
11:17
Formats
PDF, PNG, JPG, TIFF
Best practices
- •11×17" can be printed on any wide-format office printer — no print shop needed for small runs.
- •This is exactly 2× Letter size — design it to fold into a Letter-sized bifold if needed.
- •Design at 3300×5100px (300 DPI) for sharp results.
Medium Poster (18×24)5400×7200px
The medium poster size is 18×24 inches (457×610mm). At 300 DPI, that's 5400×7200 pixels. This is a popular size for retail displays, art prints, photography prints, event promotion, and home decor. It's large enough to be impactful but small enough to frame affordably.
18×24 is the sweet spot between the small 11×17 poster and the full-size 24×36. It's large enough to be a statement piece on a wall but small enough to fit standard frames and ship flat without excessive packaging costs. Many online poster shops and art print retailers default to 18×24 as their standard offering.
Dimensions
5400×7200
Aspect ratio
3:4
Formats
PDF, PNG, JPG, TIFF
Best practices
- •150 DPI (2700×3600px) is fine for wall posters. Use 300 DPI (5400×7200px) for art prints viewed up close.
- •18×24" has a 3:4 ratio — close to standard photo aspect ratio, so photos fill naturally.
- •Standard frames are widely available for 18×24" at affordable prices.
Standard Poster (24×36)7200×10800px
24×36 inches (610×914mm) is a widely used standard poster size. At 300 DPI, that's 7200×10800 pixels. Many print shops and frame vendors support this format, and large-format posters can sometimes be printed at lower effective DPI when they are meant to be viewed from farther away.
24×36 inches is one of the most common US poster sizes and is frequently offered as a standard format by commercial print shops. It is also a common off-the-shelf frame size, which makes it a practical choice when you want straightforward printing and framing.
Dimensions
7200×10800
Aspect ratio
2:3
Formats
PDF, PNG, JPG, TIFF
Also supports
Best practices
- •Use 300 DPI if the poster will be read up close or includes fine detail. For large-format viewing, many print providers accept lower effective resolution depending on viewing distance.
- •24×36" is a common standard frame and print size, which makes it a practical default when you want easy production.
- •Submit as a print-ready PDF or TIFF in CMYK, and add 0.125" bleed if the design runs to the trim edge.
Movie Poster (27×40)8100×12000px
The standard movie poster — known as a 'one-sheet' — is 27×40 inches (686×1016mm). At 300 DPI, that's 8100×12000 pixels. Adobe identifies 27×40 as the industry-standard US movie poster size.
The 27×40 inch one-sheet is the standard modern US movie poster size. It is the dimension most people mean when they refer to a theatrical-style movie poster, and it is the safest starting point if you want compatibility with common poster frames and print services.
Dimensions
8100×12000
Aspect ratio
27:40
Formats
PDF, PNG, JPG, TIFF
Best practices
- •Design at 8100×12000px (300 DPI) for print-quality output. 150 DPI (4050×6000px) works for standard viewing.
- •27×40" is the standard one-sheet — frames and print services are built for this exact size.
- •Leave space at the bottom for the billing block, rating badge, and studio logos.
Research Poster (36×48)10800×14400px
A common research poster size is 36×48 inches (914×1219mm), usually shown in landscape orientation. At 300 DPI, that's 10800×14400 pixels. Purdue's poster-printing guidance notes that 48×36 is the most commonly used size, though conference requirements can vary.
Research posters are commonly displayed in landscape orientation (wider than tall), and 36×48 inches is one of the most common conference sizes. Purdue's poster-printing guidance notes that 48×36 is the most commonly used size for poster sessions, but you should always check the event's requirements before designing because some conferences publish maximum board dimensions instead of a single fixed size.
Dimensions
10800×14400
Aspect ratio
3:4
Formats
PDF, PNG, TIFF
Also supports
Best practices
- •Start with your conference's posted dimensions first. 36×48" is common, but requirements vary.
- •Always check your conference's specific size requirements before designing — they vary.
- •Use roughly 24-36pt body text and a title at least two to three times larger so the poster stays readable from a few feet away.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common poster size?
24×36 inches is one of the most common standard poster sizes in the US. It's a widely offered format for event posters, wall art, and commercial print shops.
What size is a movie poster?
27×40 inches (one-sheet) is the standard US movie poster size.
What DPI should I use for poster printing?
300 DPI is the standard print benchmark. For larger posters viewed from farther away, some print providers accept lower effective resolution such as 150-250 DPI depending on the artwork and viewing distance.
What file format should I use for poster printing?
PDF is the safest handoff format for most print shops, and TIFF is also common for raster artwork. If the design runs to the edge, add bleed and keep important content inside the safe zone. Use CMYK for the most predictable print color.
What is the standard research poster size?
36×48 inches (914×1219mm) in landscape orientation is a common research poster size. Some conferences use 42×60 inches. Always check your specific conference requirements before designing. A practical baseline is body text around 24-36pt with a title at least two to three times larger.
Other platform guides
Sources
Guide last verified: March 19, 2026. This hub summarizes 5 formats and cites 9 sources across this page and the linked format pages.
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