When you’re just starting as an artist, the different canvas sizes can be confusing. You might not know which to choose or how to narrow down the options. So, in this guide, I’ll explain the typical canvas sizes available to you.
While you don’t have to stick to these standard sizes, they can be helpful to keep in mind. Many people will choose a standard canvas to display in their room, as they know it will fit well.
And you can take the guesswork out by using these common canvas sizes. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to the right canvas size. Instead, you can learn from other artists who’ve tested it out and found the best sizes for paintings.
Read on for a detailed guide to canvas sizes from small to large. And you can refer to it whenever you’re unsure of which size to use for a new painting.
Standard Painting Canvas Sizes
Here, I’ll share the most common sizes for paintings ranging from tiny to huge. These standard sizes have come into use as they work well in most spaces, from homes to galleries.
But you’ll also need to consider the content of your artwork. It needs to suit the canvas size, too. So, if you have a very intricate and detailed painting, you might need more space. However, if you go too large, it could be too big to display in a home.
So, you can use these standard sizes as a guide for your paintings.
Extra-Small Canvas Sizes for Painting
First of all, we have the tiniest canvas sizes. These canvases are minuscule and quite hard to work on. So, beginner artists may prefer to go with something bigger.
But at the same time, it takes away the pressure of filling the entire canvas. Instead, you can focus on one little detail, such as a flower.
One idea could be to have a series of these canvases displayed together around a common theme.
These mini canvases tend to be square in size. They make nice personal gifts to brighten up an office or anywhere you have limited space.
The standard extra-small canvas sizes are:
- 2 x 2 inches
- 3 x 3 inches
- 4 x 4 inches
Small Canvas Sizes
The next canvas sizes are slightly larger than the extra-small canvases. So, you have a bit more room to paint and get creative. But they’re still compact, which makes them ideal for smaller spaces.
These small canvases are perfect for detailed sketches or paintings. They tend to feature one subject, such as a person or object.
You might struggle to fit a landscape on these little canvases. So, some artists will find these sizes too small to work with. But it will come down to your personal art style and how you prefer to work.
Smaller canvases work well when displayed in groups of two or three. So, if you have a series of paintings around a theme, you could sell them together. This size is also an excellent addition to a bedroom or small room such as a bathroom.
They’re the perfect size to reproduce on postcards or greetings cards. You can also sell them online as art prints as an extra income stream.
Here are the standard mini canvas sizes:
- 4 x 8 inches
- 5 x 7 inches
As you can see, these suggested sizes are rectangular in shape. But you could also have a small square-shaped canvas. For example, 6 x 6 or 8 x 8 inches is a good alternative.
Medium-Sized Canvases
Next, we have medium-sized canvases. These canvases are one of the most common choices for artists, as they provide plenty of space to work on.
They’re suitable for all sorts of art, from abstract to realistic, landscapes to portraits. The only limit is your creativity and what you can imagine!
But they’re also a popular size for displaying in the home. They will look wonderful in a living room, dining room, or bedroom. But they’re not too big that they will dominate the space.
Here are the standard medium canvas sizes:
- 8 x 10 inches
- 9 x 12 inches
- 11 x 14 inches
- 12 x 16 inches
Large Canvas Sizes
Some paintings call for a much bigger space to work on. In that case, you’ll need a large canvas size. These canvases provide so much more scope for creativity and experimentation. You can push out all the stops and create something breathtaking.
A large canvas is the perfect focal point in a living or dining room. You could display it in a master bedroom as an accent piece that sets the mood.
But of course, you want to make sure that it will fit the room. So, here are the best large canvas sizes to use:
- 18 x 24 inches
- 20 x 24 inches
- 24 x 36 inches
- 30 x 40 inches
- 36 x 48 inches
Paintings that are over 41 inches in width are considered oversized paintings. But you can find even larger canvases if you desire. These huge canvas sizes will definitely make an impression. But they could be too large for many rooms.
If you want an extra-large painting for your home, you may need to order a custom size. That will mean getting in touch with the artist directly, as many don’t have these large sizes ready to go. So, you might have to wait longer for your artwork. But it will pay off in the long run for a custom painting perfectly sized for your home.
Square Canvas Sizes
If you prefer to work on square canvases, here is a quick guide. These are the standard sizes for square canvases. You’ll find a selection of sizes to choose from depending on your artwork.
While square canvases are rarer than rectangular ones, you may find that it’s a better option for you. It might suit your art style better.
Square canvases are also ideal for displaying a series of paintings together. That gives you the option to create several paintings that complement each other.
Here is a selection of common square sizes. They vary from small to large, with the perfect size for any room. So, you can choose the one that works best for you.
- 8 x 8 inches (20.32 x 20.32 centimeters)
- 10 x 10 inches (25.4 x 25.4 centimeters)
- 12 x 12 inches (30.48 x 30.48 centimeters)
- 20 x 20 inches (50.8 x 50.8 centimeters)
Canvas Sizes Chart
You can refer to this canvas size chart to check the correct canvas measurements. And so, you should always have the right sizes of canvas for your needs.
You can refer to this canvas size chart to check the correct canvas measurements. And so, you should always have the right sizes of canvas for your needs.
| Size | Measurement in Inches | Measurement in Centimeters |
| Extra Small | 2 x 2 | |
| Extra Small | 3 x 3 | |
| Extra Small | 4 x 4 | |
| Small | 4 x 8 | 10.16 x 20.32 |
| Small | 5 x 7 | 12.7 x 17.78 |
| Medium | 8 x 8 | 20.32 x 20.32 |
| Medium | 8 x 10 | 20.32 x 25.4 |
| Medium | 10 x 10 | 25.4 x 25.4 |
| Medium | 9 x 12 | 22.86 x 30.48 |
| Medium | 12 x 12 | 30.48 x 30.48 |
| Medium | 11 x 14 | 27.94x 35.56 |
| Medium | 12 x 16 | 30.48 x 40.64 |
| Large | 18 x 24 | 45.72 x 60.96 |
| Large | 20 x 20 | 50.8 x 50.8 |
| Large | 20 x 24 | 50.8 x 60.96 |
| Large | 24 x 36 | 60.96 x 91.44 |
| Large | 30 x 40 | 76.2 x 101.6 |
| Large | 36 x 48 | 91.44 x 121.92 |
Different Canvas Sizes FAQ
Are there standard canvas sizes?
here are standard canvas sizes to help people find the right painting to buy for their homes. You’ll find standard small, medium, and large sizes designed to suit smaller or larger rooms. They are the perfect dimensions to fill the space without looking too overbearing.
So, artists can use this knowledge to create artwork that will sell. You can find the list of standard small, medium, and large canvas sizes above.
What sizes do canvas panels come in?
Canvas panels come in a wide range of sizes. The smallest could be as tiny as 2 x 2 inches for mini paintings. But they can also go much bigger, reaching up to 48 x 36 inches and larger.
Galleries will often display massive paintings of massive sizes. But for the home, 18 x 24 or 30 x 40 are common sizes. You can consult the full range of standard canvas sizes above.
What is the best canvas size?
The best canvas size will depend on your painting style and the subject matter. So, you should think carefully about what size will look best for what you want to create.
But you should also consider where people will display the painting. If you want to sell more of your art, you must choose a suitable size.
The best small canvas size is 4 x 6 inches, which can be used for
greeting cards and postcards. And for a medium canvas, 8 x 10 or 12 x 16 inches work well. The best large canvas size is 24 x 36 inches, which will fit most rooms and become the center of attention.
The Wrap Up
Now, you should know the standard painting canvas sizes well. So, it will be much easier to pick the correct canvas size for your artwork. They’re all here from square to rectangle canvas sizes, small to big.
Make sure to bookmark this page so you can quickly refer to this guide whenever you need it. And don’t forget to follow Proactive Creative for more helpful resources and tips. I’ll keep you updated on all the latest content for artists and creatives.
