The most popular poster size for a wall is 50 x 70 cm. For a small spot, 30 x 40 cm works well; above a sofa or sideboard, choose 60 x 90 or 70 x 100 cm. A handy rule of thumb: a poster above a piece of furniture should be about two thirds as wide as that piece of furniture.
A poster that's too small disappears on a large wall. A poster that's too big makes a small room feel busy. In this poster size guide we list the common sizes and explain how to choose the right size for your wall.
Which poster sizes are there?
There are two kinds of sizes: the A and B paper sizes, and fixed frame sizes in centimetres. For posters on the wall, frame sizes are the most practical, because you can find a frame for them anywhere.
| Size | Dimensions in cm | Works well for |
|---|---|---|
| A3 | 29.7 x 42 | Desk, cloakroom, narrow wall |
| 30 x 40 | 30 x 40 | A small spot or part of a photo wall |
| A2 | 42 x 59.4 | Bedroom, hallway |
| 50 x 70 (B2) | 50 x 70 | Living room, above a side table or bed |
| A1 | 59.4 x 84 | A larger wall |
| 60 x 90 | 60 x 90 | Above a sofa or sideboard |
| 70 x 100 (B1) | 70 x 100 | A large, empty wall as a statement piece |
How do you choose the right poster size?
1. Look at the wall and the furniture below it
If the poster hangs above a sofa, bed or sideboard, choose a width of about two thirds of that piece of furniture. Above a 210 cm sofa, a poster about 70 cm wide fits, or two posters side by side. On an empty wall, leave enough space on all sides.
2. Think about viewing distance
The further away you usually stand, the bigger the poster can be. In a hallway you look at it up close; from the sofa you're often three metres away. There, a 50x70 poster can quickly look small.
3. Check the proportions of your photo
Not every photo fits every size. A sizes have the same proportions as an A4 sheet. 60 x 90 cm has a 2:3 ratio, just like photos from a camera. Phone photos are often 3:4, which suits 30 x 40 cm better. If the proportions don't match, part of your photo is cropped when printing.
4. Match the frame to the size
A 50 x 70 cm poster needs a 50 x 70 cm frame. If you want a mount, the white border around the image, choose a larger frame. If you don't want a frame at all, brushed aluminium is a sleek alternative.
What resolution does your photo need?
For a sharp print, work with 300 dpi. A 50 x 70 cm poster then needs about 5,900 x 8,300 pixels. A normal phone photo doesn't reach that, but from a few metres away you often won't see the difference. The larger the size, the more a sharp photo matters.
A photo mosaic works differently. The picture is made up of hundreds of small photos that each fill one tile. You see in advance how big each photo will be: at Normal, 8 mm on 30 x 40 cm, 14 mm on 50 x 70 cm, 18 mm on 60 x 90 cm and 20 mm on 70 x 100 cm. The larger the size, the better you recognise each photo. Read more in how a photo mosaic works.
Which size should you choose for a photo mosaic?
For a mosaic, a 50x70 poster is the minimum on which you can clearly see the individual photos. A 70x100 poster is the most beautiful size: from afar you see one picture, up close every memory. 30 x 40 cm is lovely as a small gift or as part of a photo wall. See what that looks like in real life in our examples.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common poster size?
For posters on a wall, 50 x 70 cm is the most popular size. Frames in that size are available almost everywhere.
Is 50 x 70 the same as A2?
No. A2 is 42 x 59.4 cm, so it's smaller. 50 x 70 cm is the B2 size.
What size poster goes above a sofa?
Choose a poster about two thirds the width of the sofa. For most sofas, that comes to 60 x 90 or 70 x 100 cm.
How high should you hang a poster?
Hang the centre of the poster at eye level, about 145 to 150 cm from the floor. Above a sofa, leave 20 to 25 cm between the back of the sofa and the bottom of the poster.
What size is 70 x 100?
70 x 100 cm is the B1 size. It's a large size that works well as a statement piece on an empty wall or above a long sofa.
Read next: how to digitise old photos with your phone.
Curious how your photos look at 50 x 70 or 70 x 100 cm? Make a free preview and only then choose your size.