What is the most common poster size?

In the US, 18 × 24 inches and 24 × 36 inches are the most common wall posters, and 11 × 17 for notice boards. Outside the US, A3 and A2 are the everyday sizes.

Is A3 the same as 11 × 17?

No. A3 is 297 × 420 mm (11.7 × 16.5 in), slightly narrower and shorter than 11 × 17 in. A design usually needs small adjustments to move between them.

What resolution does a poster need?

Aim for about 150–300 pixels per inch at the printed size. Large posters seen from a distance can go toward the lower end; ask your printer.

Can I print a poster at home?

Up to the largest paper your printer takes, often letter, A4 or sometimes 11 × 17 / A3. For bigger posters, use a print shop.

What size is A2 in inches?

About 16.5 × 23.4 inches (420 × 594 mm).

Standard poster sizes (US and A sizes)

In the US, the standard poster sizes are 11 × 17 in (tabloid), 18 × 24 in and 24 × 36 in. Elsewhere, A3 (297 × 420 mm), A2 (420 × 594 mm), A1 (594 × 841 mm) and A0 (841 × 1189 mm) are standard. Pick the size by where it hangs and how far away people will read it.

Poster sizes compared

Size	Inches	Millimetres	Typical use
Tabloid / ledger	11 × 17	279 × 432	Notice boards, shop windows, counters
Medium	18 × 24	457 × 610	In-store posters, classrooms, events
Large	24 × 36	610 × 914	Walls, lobbies, movie-style posters
A3	11.7 × 16.5	297 × 420	Notice boards and windows outside the US
A2	16.5 × 23.4	420 × 594	In-store and event posters
A1	23.4 × 33.1	594 × 841	Large wall posters
A0	33.1 × 46.8	841 × 1189	Exhibitions and academic posters

Each A size is half the one before it, with the same shape, so an A3 design scales to A2 or A1 without changing the layout. US sizes have different shapes: 11 × 17 is taller and narrower than 18 × 24.

How big should the text be?

A common rule of thumb is 1 inch of letter height for every 10 feet of viewing distance (about 2.5 cm per 3 m).
A window poster read from the pavement 10 feet away needs a headline at least 1 inch tall, and bigger is better.
Body text on a poster read up close should still be at least about 24 pt.
Quick test: print the poster at letter or A4 size. If you can't read the main message from arm's length, it won't work on the wall.

Paper and finish

Indoor posters: gloss or satin photo paper for bright colours; matte if lights reflect off it.
Window posters: print on the side facing out, or ask for window film or a decal.
Outdoor or reused signs: foam board or rigid boards (18 × 24 in and 24 × 36 in are common).

Making a poster in CatalogProFlow

Open a sign or poster template: sale, hours, events, menus and announcements, in 11 × 17, 18 × 24, A3 or A2.
Change the headline and photo; keep the headline the biggest thing on the page.
Use Resize to copy the design to another size, such as a flyer or a social post.
Download the print-ready PDF, or order posters where our print partners offer them.

Picking a size quickly

Notice board or small window: 11 × 17 in or A3.
Inside a shop, on a wall or easel: 18 × 24 in or A2.
Lobby, large wall or event: 24 × 36 in or A1.

Sign and poster templates Posters in the print shop Canvas and wall posters

Questions

What is the most common poster size?: In the US, 18 × 24 inches and 24 × 36 inches are the most common wall posters, and 11 × 17 for notice boards. Outside the US, A3 and A2 are the everyday sizes.
Is A3 the same as 11 × 17?: No. A3 is 297 × 420 mm (11.7 × 16.5 in), slightly narrower and shorter than 11 × 17 in. A design usually needs small adjustments to move between them.
What resolution does a poster need?: Aim for about 150–300 pixels per inch at the printed size. Large posters seen from a distance can go toward the lower end; ask your printer.
Can I print a poster at home?: Up to the largest paper your printer takes, often letter, A4 or sometimes 11 × 17 / A3. For bigger posters, use a print shop.
What size is A2 in inches?: About 16.5 × 23.4 inches (420 × 594 mm).