Poster Sizes

Most countries have a set of standard movie poster sizes. For example, in the US, most movie posters sizes are based on the one sheet which is approximately 27x41 inches. Most European movie poster sizes are based on the ISO 216 international paper size standard. Virtually all poster size designations throughout the site conform to a size standard. Actual sizes can vary slightly by fractions of an inch, up to a full inch. If you need an exact poster size, please contact us before purchasing and we will be happy to provide exact measurements.

Some poster sizes were/are almost always printed in multiple sheets: Argentine Two Panel, French Double Grande, Italian Quattro Foglio, Japanese STB Tatekan, US 24 Sheet, US Six Sheet, US Three Sheet. If you come across one of these sizes, you can assume was printed in multiple sheets unless otherwise stated. There are other unusual multi-sheet sizes that are not listed here. If a poster size is very large (over 5 feet say) then it's likely a multi-sheet poster. Linen-backing would be required to join multi-sheet posters prior to framing.

Here are some common sizes you will find in our collection.

USA

One Sheet  / 27x41 inches

One sheets were factory folded—machine folded by the printer—until the late 1980s. If you go to the movies in the US today, the posters you'll see in the theater are one sheets. Multiple one sheet styles are created for some releases, eg. style A/B/C/D, teaser, advance, Oscar, Roadshow (pre-Oscar). The height of a one sheet can vary from 39 to 41 inches — most one sheets into the 1980s measured 27x41 inches, but in the 1980s, studios began to transition to one sheets measuring 27x40 inches. The current standard is 27x40 inches. The UK, Australia and some European countries also print one sheets.

Three Sheet  / 41x81 inches

The first three sheets were printed in three separate one sheet sized sections. Over time, printers started printing three sheets in two pieces. Three sheets were factory folded. Studios phased out three sheets in the 1980s. The UK also printed three sheets until the 1980s.

Six Sheet  / 81x81 inches

The first six sheets were printed in six separate one sheet sized sections. Over time, printers started printing six sheets in three to four pieces. Six sheets were factory folded. Studios phased out six sheets in the 1980s. The UK also printed six sheets until the 1980s.

Half Sheet  / 22x28 inches

The half sheet is one of the few movie poster sizes that has a horizontal or landscape layout. Half sheets were not factory folded but many were subsequently folded by theaters or individuals. Half sheets were printed on a heavier stock paper. Studios phased out half sheets in the 1980s. The UK also printed half sheets until the 1980s.

Insert  / 14x36 inches

Inserts were not factory folded but many were subsequently folded by theaters or individuals. Inserts were printed on a heavier stock paper. Studios phased out inserts in the 1980s.

Window Card  / 14x22 inches

Window cards often include blank space at the top for theaters to hand write showtimes. Window cards were printed on heavier stock paper. Studios phased out window cards in the 1980s.

Lobby Card  / 11x14 inches

Lobby cards were printed in sets of four, eight (most common), 10 or 12 for display in theater lobbies. Some older lobby card sets include a title card, which usually has artwork similar to the one sheet. Lobby cards that are not title cards are also referred to as scene cards. Some major US studio films still produce lobby card sets for use in international markets. Some other countries also print lobby cards, eg. France and Germany. Non-US lobby cards usually measure approx 9x12 inches.

France

There are three main French movie poster sizes. In many cases, each size for a particular release has similar artwork. Artists often had to create three separate versions of the main artwork. All three sizes are almost always factory folded, rolled French posters began to appear in the 1990s. The medium size—moyenne—was phased out in the 1980s.

Petite  / 16x24 inches / 40x60 cm

Moyenne  / 24x32 inches / 60x80 cm

Grande  / 47x63 inches / 120x160 cm

Italy

Due Fogli  / 39x55 inches / 100x140 cm

Due foglios are factory folded

Quattro Fogli  / 55x79 inches / 140x200 cm

Quattro foglios are factory folded and printed in two due foglio size sheets. Quattro foglios often have the same artwork as the due foglio.

Locandina  / 13x28 inches / 33x70 cm

Locandinas have an area of blank space at the top for theaters to hand write showtimes. Locandinas are sometimes found with the blank space trimmed off.

Fotobusta  / 13x13 inches / 33x33 cm

Fotobustas are printed in sets of eight or 10. Each fotobusta in the set shows a different scene from the film. Some older fotobustas were printed in smaller sizes, 9x13, 13x13 and 13x19 inches. Some fotobusta sets include a double fotobusta, 70x100 cm / 27x39 inches.

Japan

Japanese posters conform to their own size standard that deviates slightly from the ISO 216 standard.

J B2  / 20x29 inches / 52x73 cm

The B2 is the most common Japanese movie poster size. B2s are often found with two horizontal bends (not a hard crease) in the paper due to how they're stored.

J B1  / 29x40 inches / 73x103 cm

B1s are generally more scarce than B2s. B1s often have the same design as their B2 counterparts.

STB Tatekan  / 20x58 inches / 52x147 cm

This size is sometimes referred to as a double panel due to the fact that it's composed of two separate B2 size sheets.

J B5 Chirashi  / 7x10 inches / 18x26 cm

Chirashis are more like handbills/flyers than posters. Chirashis often have the same design as their B2 counterparts.

UK

Quad  / 30x40 inches / 76x102 cm

The quad is one of the few movie poster sizes that has a horizontal or landscape layout. Quads were factory folded until the 1980s.

Double Crown  / 20x30 inches / 51x76 cm

The double crown is half the size of a quad.

Poland

A1  / 23x33 inches / 59x84 cm

Most Polish movie posters were printed on A1 through the 1960s. There are some Polish A1s from the 1970s and 1980s.

B1  / 27x39 inches / 71x100 cm

Polish movie posters began transitioning to the B1 size starting in the 1970s.

Czech Republic / Slovakia / Former Czechoslovakia

A3  / 12x17 inches / 30x42 cm

The A3 is the most common Czech movie poster size.

A1  / 23x33 inches / 59x84 cm

The Czech A1 is far more scarce than the A3. Both sizes—A1 and A3—were made for most releases, but in some cases only one size was made. In the majority of cases when both sizes exist, they both have the same artwork.