Canvas Sizing Guide: Choosing From Different Canvas Sizes

Canvas Sizing Guide: Choosing From Different Canvas Sizes

There is a wide variety of canvas sizes available on the market. That is why picking the ideal canvas dimensions for a painting can be tricky sometimes. Your wall painting might be too big or too little if the canvas size was miscalculated. In that case, it might make your home's decor look less polished and well-coordinated. 

If you're designing a gallery wall, shopping for a picture frame, or constructing your own artwork, you should keep in mind that the size of your chosen canvas, frame, or other material may make or break your finished product.

Why Canvas Size Matters

The size of the canvas is important since it is the piece of art that must determine where it will fit in the house, workplace, or commercial area. Nevertheless, the canvas has to occupy 50% to 75% of the available wall area. But if you intend to hang your picture, the canvas should be between 2/3 and 3/4 of the width of the furniture below. Ultimately, though, the size of the canvas is important since it influences the reaction of the painting’s viewers.

When it comes to creating art, the size of your canvas is an important consideration. The larger the image, the more detail you can add. This is because a large image allows you to spread out the details over a greater area, resulting in a more realistic and lifelike portrait or landscape.

This is especially true when working with charcoal sketches or paintings. The larger your canvas size, the more detail you can include in your work, and the more realistic it will appear. So if you're looking to create a masterpiece worthy of hanging on the wall, be sure to choose a canvas size that's large enough to do justice to your vision!

charcoal memorial portrait

Choosing the Right Canvas Size: Things to Consider

When deciding on canvas size, it's important to consider where the finished piece will hang. Then you can determine if the painting will seem out of place in the room. You want your wall art to be a focal point without drawing attention away from the rest of the room. Use painter's tape to make rough outlines of various sizes to see what works best in the intended location. Then, step back to assess whether or not the canvas fits. 

A Guide to Different Canvas Sizes

Buying a too tiny or too large canvas will ruin your painting and your wall space, so it's important to take your time determining the ideal size. It must fit properly, as even a slight variation in dimensions might have a significant impact. There are different canvas sizes you can choose from. Find out which one works best in your room and your art with our helpful advice.

Rectangular Canvas Sizes

rectangular canvas
Source image from Pexels.com
When creating works of art, artists frequently work on rectangular canvases. It is available in a range of dimensions to suit a variety of needs. Tiny canvases are ideal for working on intricate details or for making pictures with a single, striking subject. A common size is 5′′ x 7′′, and 4′′ x 6′′ is also available. 
If you're starting off, a medium-sized canvas is your best choice due to its extra space. Large rectangular canvases, up to 36" x 48", are the way to go if you want to make a statement with your artwork.

Square Canvas Sizes

A square canvas is your best bet if you want to hang your paintings next to each other. Square canvases indeed create a more visually pleasing presentation, but they still need to become more popular than their rectangular counterparts. In terms of scale, it can be as big as 40 inches or as small as 2x2 and 3x3 inches also called mini canvases. Here are the measurements for the several other sizes:
  • 8 x 8 inches (20.32 x 20.32 cm)
  • 10 x 10 inches (25.4 x 25.4 cm)
  • 12 x 12 inches (30.48 x 30.48 cm)
  • 20 x 20 inches (50.8 x 50.8 cm)

Most Common Canvas Sizes Used in Paintings

Before you go out and buy a canvas, think about what size would work best for your artwork and the place you want to exhibit it in. The most popular canvas sizes might be a starting point if you're overwhelmed. The 8x10-inch and 16x20-inch canvas sizes are both good options. With these sizes, you may experiment with several methods to find the one that best suits your needs without breaking the bank. They can also fit in with common frame sizes.


Rectangle canvases are another widely used canvas for painting. Typically, 4x6 and 5x7 inches are used for the smaller size. Also, the most popular dimensions for medium rectangular canvas are 9 by 12 inches, 11 by 14 inches, and 12 by 16 inches. The most typical sizes for huge canvases are 18 by 24 inches, 20 by 24 inches, and 24 by 36 inches.

Canvas Sizing Guide FAQs

You need to think about more than just the size of the canvas to ensure that it will fulfill your needs. Here are some answers to some of the most common concerns people have about using canvas:

Does canvas size affect quality?

Yes. To get the best results from your painting, you'll need to pick the correct canvas size to put it on. This is because there are many different frame sizes to choose from once you've completed your painting. The completed canvas must be the right size for the frame you intend to use. Otherwise, you will have to cut off the excess.

Is a thick or thin canvas better?

Since a thicker canvas can withstand greater pressure, it's the best choice for intensive techniques. It's also a great choice for prints that will stand on their own as decorative elements.

What depth canvas is best?

The recommended minimum depth for a canvas is 1.38 inches. This is so because it gives the painting a more polished look and feel.

Learn More About Canvas Sizes from Memorialize Art

Memorialize Art is a custom portrait painting company that takes your favorite snapshots and turns them into stunning paintings you will treasure forever. Our talented artists create each painting to order, meaning that your gift will be completely unique. With canvas sizes starting at 8x10 inches, we have a size perfect for any occasion. So don't settle for an ordinary gift this year - give the gift of art that celebrates the special people and moments in your life. Learn more about our different canvas sizes on our website.

personalized charcoal memorial portrait family