Standard canvas sizes, and how to choose one for your wall
The most common mistake with a painting isn't the subject. It's a size that's too small for the wall.
1 min read
Standard sizes
| Size (in) | Size (cm) | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 16 × 20 | 40 × 51 | Gifts, pet portraits, small walls |
| 20 × 24 | 51 × 61 | Portraits, bedrooms |
| 24 × 30 | 61 × 76 | Family portraits, above a chest of drawers |
| 30 × 40 | 76 × 102 | Above a sofa or a bed |
| 36 × 48 | 91 × 122 | Feature walls |
| 40 × 60 | 102 × 152 | Large rooms, lobbies |
| 48 × 72 | 122 × 183 | Statement pieces |
Other sizes can be painted to order. Commissions up to 72 × 120 in are routine.
Simple rules for common walls
- Above a sofa: about two-thirds to three-quarters of the sofa's width.
- Above a bed: slightly narrower than the headboard.
- Hallways and narrow walls: a vertical format, or a series of smaller pieces.
- Lobbies and boardrooms: a painting about half to two-thirds the width of the wall. Large spaces usually need 48 × 72 in or more to hold their own.
How high to hang it
The center of a painting usually sits about 57 to 60 inches (145 to 152 cm) from the floor, roughly eye level. Above a sofa, leave about 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) between the sofa back and the bottom of the frame.
Portrait, landscape or square?
- Vertical suits narrow walls, portraits and tall rooms.
- Horizontal suits sofas, beds and landscapes.
- Square suits modern interiors and grids of several pieces.
One large painting or several small ones?
A single large painting anchors a main wall. A group of smaller pieces suits stairways, hallways and walls broken up by doors or windows.
The mistakes we see most
A painting that's too small for the wall, hung too high, or out of scale with the furniture around it. When in doubt, go a size larger.
Related guides
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How to stretch a rolled canvas
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Stretcher bars, gallery-wrap depth and framing a canvas
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