What is a standard poster size in the UK?
Understanding poster sizes in the UK is important when designing advertising posters, exhibition graphics or promotional displays. While posters can be printed to almost any custom dimension, most printing and advertising formats follow a set of recognised standard sizes.
At Banner World we print posters to any custom size using a wide range of materials suitable for indoor displays, outdoor advertising and illuminated lightboxes. Get instant prices for custom printed posters here.
In the UK there are two main systems used for standard poster sizes:
- ISO 216 A-Series poster sizes – commonly used for office printing, retail posters and indoor displays.
- UK Billboard poster sizes – large advertising formats used for outdoor advertising, cinemas, transport networks and street displays.
The ISO 216 A-Series standard includes familiar poster formats such as A4, A3, A2, A1 and A0, while billboard advertising commonly uses sizes such as Quad posters, 4-sheet posters and larger billboard formats.
Below we explain the most common standard poster sizes used in the UK and where they are typically used.
Poster Sizes UK Chart
| Poster Size | Dimensions (mm) | Dimensions (inches) | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 210 × 297 mm | 8.3 × 11.7 in | Notices, small promotional posters |
| A3 | 297 × 420 mm | 11.7 × 16.5 in | Shop window posters |
| A2 | 420 × 594 mm | 16.5 × 23.4 in | Retail advertising posters |
| A1 | 594 × 841 mm | 23.4 × 33.1 in | Event posters and display graphics |
| A0 | 841 × 1189 mm | 33.1 × 46.8 in | Large advertising posters |
| Quad | 762 × 1016 mm | 30 × 40 in | Cinema posters |
| 4 Sheet | 1016 × 1524 mm | 40 × 60 in | Outdoor advertising |
| 6 Sheet | 1200 × 1800 mm | 47.2 × 70.9 in | Bus shelter advertising |
| 48 Sheet | 6100 × 3050 mm | 240 × 120 in | Roadside billboard advertising |
Need Posters Printed to These Sizes?
If you need posters printed to any of these standard sizes, Banner World offers professional poster printing services with fast turnaround and a wide range of materials including poster paper, blue back poster paper, PVC posters and backlit posters for lightboxes.
ISO 216 A-Series Poster Sizes UK
The ISO 216 A-Series is the most commonly used system for standard poster sizes in the UK. These sizes are widely used for retail posters, office displays, exhibition graphics and advertising boards such as A-Board pavement signs and poster frames. The A-Series format works on a simple scaling principle where each size is exactly half the area of the previous size. This makes it easy to scale artwork up or down while maintaining the same proportions.We can print posters from small A4 formats right up to large billboard posters and custom large format graphics suitable for exhibitions, retail displays and outdoor advertising.
- A4 Poster Size – 210 × 297 mm
- A3 Poster Size – 297 × 420 mm
- A2 Poster Size – 420 × 594 mm
- A1 Poster Size – 594 × 841 mm
- A0 Poster Size – 841 × 1189 mm
- 2A0 Poster Size – 1189 × 1682 mm
Billboard Poster Sizes UK
Billboard posters are larger advertising formats typically used for outdoor advertising. These posters are commonly displayed on roadside billboards, transport networks, cinemas, shopping centres and building hoardings to attract attention from both pedestrians and passing traffic. In the UK advertising industry these formats are traditionally measured using the “Sheet” system. Each sheet represents a poster panel measuring approximately 20 × 30 inches. Larger billboard formats are created by combining multiple sheets together.- 1 Sheet Poster Size – 508 × 762 mm – 20 × 30 in – also known as Double Crown
- Quad Poster Size – 762 × 1016 mm – 30 × 40 in – commonly used for cinema posters
- 4 Sheet Poster Size – 1016 × 1524 mm – 40 × 60 in – often called Double Quad
- 6 Sheet Poster Size – 1200 × 1800 mm – commonly used for bus shelters
- 12 Sheet Poster Size – 3050 × 1520 mm
- 16 Sheet Poster Size – 2030 × 3050 mm
- 32 Sheet Poster Size – 4060 × 3050 mm
- 48 Sheet Poster Size – 6100 × 3050 mm – traditional roadside billboard size
- 96 Sheet Poster Size – 12190 × 3050 mm – large roadside advertising format
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common poster sizes used in the UK follow the ISO 216 A-series format. Popular sizes include A1 (594 × 841 mm), A2 (420 × 594 mm) and A0 (841 × 1189 mm), which are widely used for advertising posters, retail displays and event promotions.
A quad poster measures 30 × 40 inches (762 × 1016 mm). Quad posters are commonly used in cinemas and theatres for movie advertising.
A 4 sheet poster measures 40 × 60 inches (1016 × 1524 mm). These are commonly used for billboard advertising and large promotional displays.
An A1 poster measures 594 × 841 mm and is commonly used for retail posters and event advertising.
An A1 poster measures 594 × 841 mm and is commonly used for retail posters and event advertising.
An A2 poster measures 420 × 594 mm and is often used for indoor promotional posters and noticeboards.
Related Guides and Printing Services
If you’re researching poster sizes, you may also find these guides and printing services useful when planning your next project:
- Banner Sizes Guide – A complete guide to standard banner sizes for events, construction sites and exhibitions.
- Banner Printing – Custom printed PVC banners, mesh banners and fabric banners printed to any size.
- Billboard Printing – Large format billboard posters and advertising graphics for outdoor campaigns.
- Large Format Printing – Professional large format printing for posters, signage, exhibitions and retail displays.
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