Quick reference

Small Poster (11×17)

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.

Dimensions

3300×5100

Aspect ratio

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)

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.

Dimensions

5400×7200

Aspect ratio

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)

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.

Dimensions

7200×10800

Aspect ratio

Formats

PDF, PNG, JPG, TIFF

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)

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.

Dimensions

8100×12000

Aspect ratio

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)

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.

Dimensions

10800×14400

Aspect ratio

Formats

PDF, PNG, TIFF

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.