The Ultimate Guide to Canvas Sizes (Save Your Money, Time, and Extra Effort) (2024)

Here’s the ultimate guide to choosing the right portrait canvas size.

Let’s start with knowing the different types of canvas size charts!

Whether you want to draw a sketch or frame the best memories on your wall, the size of the canvas makes a difference, meaning it either breaks or changes the entire look of the wall.

Knowing the width and height of the space where you want your family portrait or picture to be hung is crucial.

So learn more about canvas size charts and avoid the inconvenience that a sloppy job would cause.

What are Standard Canvas Size Charts?

In simple words, the canvas that perfectly fits your wall is called standard canvas size.

Standard canvas sizes are meant to add value to the allocated space and amplify the look and feel of the room.

Different sizes of canvas are available on the market.

There are mini, small, medium, and large canvas sizes available. You can get a custom-made canvas from professionals as well.

Let’s read more about these canvas types (size charts) to level up your painting skills (saving money or effort).

Mini Portrait Size Chart

Any canvas that measures less than 4” X 6” is considered a mini canvas or mini canvas portrait (size chart).

If you’re planning to draw a small size painting or piece of art, this can be the best size canvas size for your wall.

The mini canvas is basically square in shape and seamlessly complements any basic home arrangement—whether you want to upgrade your living room or add a statement piece to your veterinarian’s office decor.

Let’s see what benefits mini canvas offers and for whom it suits:

Mini Canvas Size Chart:

1. 2” x 2”
2. 3” x 3”
3. 4” x 4”

Benefits:

• Can easily be moved, preserved, or stored
• Go well with any home decor, irrespective of the house size
• Can perfectly frame an image with a single or multiple characters
• Is a budget-friendly canvas
• Mini-sized canvas always stays on trend

Suitable for:

• Those who have limited space
• Those who are looking for cost-cutting ways
• Those who want to make the space lively, not fancy
• Those who want to lay it on a side table or desk against the wall
• Those who want to produce simple, raw, yet aesthetically pleasing art

Mini canvas (size chart) can look the best on a side table, bedside table, or desk! For starters, this can be the best canvas type.

Small Portrait Size Chart

Any canvas that measures between 4” X 8” and 8” X 10 is considered a small canvas or small canvas portrait.

It’s a little larger than mini sized painting canvases, which you can mount on the wall next to the dressing table or side table and also on a bookshelf, coffee table, or study table.

We don’t suggest hanging it in a larger space, as it might not go well with its decor, furniture, and light fixtures.

Ever heard this phrase? Big things come in small packages.

If yes, then it is no harm to associate it with a small canvas (painting dimension), as it embraces any sort of art—gallery wall art, pet painting and even reproduction paintings.

Let’s see what benefits small canvas sizes offer and for whom they suit:

Small Canvas Size Chart:

1. 4” x 6”
2. 4” x 8”
3. 5” x 7”
4. 8” x 10”
5. 9” x 12”

Benefits:

• Requires a limited space and can be easily moved and preserved
• Low maintenance and costing charge
• Details can be seen a little clearer and larger.
• It hardly requires a substitute material or decor item to amplify its beauty

Suitable for:

• Those who want to gift a painting to friends and family who moved to a new house
• Those who want to add an extra decor item to its existing space
• Those who are confused between wallpaper and wall art
• Those who want to create art on their own and add a personalized touch to walls
• Those who don’t want to stick to small brushes and produce a detailed painting

Small photo portrait sizes are budget-friendly, ideally available on both, offline and online marketplaces, and look good on a coffee table, side table, dining table, or walls next to a night lamp or book shelf.

Medium Portrait Size Chart

A canvas that measures between 11” X 14” and 16” X 20” is considered a medium canvas or medium canvas portrait.

It’s one of the typical canvas sizes that adds a reasonably sized layer on the wall, meaning a good chunk of the space gets a sophisticated look.

If you’re drawing a human-sized portrait, or buying a picture with two or three characters, this can be your go-to canvas.

Medium Canvas Size Chart:

1. 11” x 14”
2. 12” x 12”
3. 12” x 16”
4. 16” x 20”

Benefits:

• Details can look more profound and vivid
• The background of the painting gets noticed
• Whether you create an oil, pencil, or pastel painting, any medium will look good
• Paintings made on these portrait dimensions can be given as a gift or souvenir

Suitable for:

• Those who want to use different types of brushes and create a detailed artwork
• Those who would want to draw or buy cityscape or landscape art
• Those who want to create a gallery wall for themselves

People buy medium canvas (size charts) when they are in a dilemma, especially when they don’t know their portrait measurements.

Although it isn’t a wide and oversized canvas type, it’s a bit larger than a small medium, which makes the picture or any compilation portrait with fewer characters look stunning!

Buy this canvas size when you want to feature a few people in a more detailed fashion!

Large Portrait Size Chart

Any canvas that measures between 20” X 30” and 48” X 72” is considered a large canvas or large canvas portrait.

It can look good only in an enormously big space or on walls with negligible decor items.

Before you pick this (size chart), it’s essential to know your space (or portrait sizes in inches), as it sets the look and feel of the space.

Once you know the dimensions of wherever you want to mount it, for instance, on the walls of an entryway or hallway and above your headboard, this can be the ideal canvas type!

Large Canvas Size Chart:

1. 18” x 24”
2. 20” x 30”
3. 24” x 36”
4. 30” x 40”
5. 36” x 48”
6. 48” x 72”

Benefits:

• Foreground and background can have equal importance
• Can easily feature four to five characters
• Art can look impactful, detailed, and superior-quality
• Can draw any painting styles and techniques

Suitable for:

• Those who want to draw accurate images and add details professionally
• Those who want to experiment with different brush strokes
• Those who want to draw art from different movements, for instance, abstract art, Cubist art, or others
• Those who want to create a centerpiece for the house

Large portrait sizes or large canvases are for professionals, avid painters, and art creators.

The philosophy behind it is that the bigger the canvas, the larger and more meticulous the work.

But to reach the level, one has to start off with normal portrait size or canvas in cm, which is why this canvas size chart is recommended to skilled painters.

Custom-made Portrait Size Chart

We can choose the size of the canvas or customize it the way we want. And we don’t have to rely on the standard canvas sizes that don’t meet our expectations.

Here’s why we should opt for:

• Best for beginner and intermediate level painters who want to draw painting according to its home size, space, and needs
• Custom canvas can be larger than large canvas type or smaller than mini canvas dimension
• You can choose the length, thickness, and quality of canvas
• It can be sustainable, sturdy, and top-notch in quality

Things to Consider Before You Pick The Right Canvas Size

• Know the condition and dimensions of the space where you want to mount
• Have clarity on what you want to make and which colors do you want to splash, spray, or add
• If you’re ordering a custom painting from professionals, you must know their portrait size chart
• Need to compare the canvas with the settings surrounded by the wall where it’ll be hung, for instance, its pieces of furniture, wall color, light fixtures, the color of tiles, and so on
• Must know the quality and dimensions of the canvas

Choosing the Right Space to Display Your Art

You already know what type of canvas to pick, considering the dimensions of the space. But let’s take a look at choosing the place where you can display your art.

A. Bedroom Headboard

Most house owners don’t consider any decoration in the space above the head. But this vacant and plain wall can be used to mount a stunning car portrait, a series of pictures, or pencil sketches.

This can be a focal point if you choose the right art and hang it in a way that miraculously enlivens the space!

B. Blank Wall

The best place to hang a canvas painting, considering its place in the canvas size chart, is the blank space, which sets the tone and creates a welcoming atmosphere.

If you have vacant and unused wall space, you must consider using this space for wall art, pictures, or your favorite cat portrait.

C. Above the fireplace

Having a fireplace is incredibly great! It brings irresistible warmth, comfort, and serenity, setting the vibe of the place.

You can add an extra layer of togetherness and joy by simply mounting art, pictures, or canvas above the fireplace!

These are the three best places where you can mount or hang a picture diligently and creatively, keeping portrait photo dimensions (size chart) into consideration.

Conclusion

Picking up the right canvas (considering its size chart) isn’t rocket science.

You measure the space, take its surroundings into consideration, and boom!

You’re good to go!

Typical portrait sizes (canvas size chart) assist you determine whether a particular frame is good for you or not, meaning whether this can bring the necessary change that you were looking for while commencing this hunt!

Remember, a perfect size makes a difference, and as a painter, art lover, or curator, you don’t have to worry about how large or small the space is; you’ve got to pay heed to how to turn the wall into a focal point!

Following this canvas sizing guide takes you closer to having that magical space!

Author’s Note

Thank you for reading my blog “Canvas Size Chart,” until the end.

I’ve tried answering the questions that were frequently asked on Google with various search terms such as small canvas size, standard canvas size chart, and so on.

This guide will not only help you understand the concepts of canvas size charts but also help you pick the right one.

Well, if you want to indulge in a different activity, let’s assume you don’t order any canvas or stuff associated with ordering frames.

You can probably go with the option of ordering a painting, that saves a good amount of time,

Our gallery can take you through the artworks that we have created so far for our customers.

Here’s how we add flavors to our customers’ home decor

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