24x36 photo size in cm, mm and pixels
A 24x36 inch poster is 60.96 × 91.44 cm, and 7200 × 10800 pixels at 300 dpi.
24 × 36 in dimensions
| Unit | Short side | Long side |
|---|---|---|
| Inches | 24 in | 36 in |
| Millimetres | 609.6 mm | 914.4 mm |
| Centimetres | 60.96 cm | 91.44 cm |
| Points (1/72 in) | 1728 | 2592 |
24x36 is a common poster size in the United States, and also the dimensions of the architectural plot sheet Arch D. It is 3:2, the shape of a DSLR image.
Pixels and megapixels for a 24 × 36 in print
| Resolution | Pixels needed | Megapixels | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 dpi | 7,200 × 10,800 px | 77.8 MP | Best quality; the usual lab target |
| 200 dpi | 4,800 × 7,200 px | 34.6 MP | Good; fine for most prints viewed at arm's length |
| 150 dpi | 3,600 × 5,400 px | 19.4 MP | Acceptable for large prints viewed from a distance |
| 100 dpi | 2,400 × 3,600 px | 8.6 MP | Poster viewed from several metres |
Cropping: which cameras fit a 24 × 36 in print?
A print of this shape has a long side 1.5 times the short side. A camera image with a different shape has to be cropped to fill it, and the crop throws away part of the picture.
| Camera shape | Crop to fill this print | Source needed for 300 dpi | Source needed for 200 dpi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3:2 (DSLR, mirrorless) | none (exact fit) | 77.8 MP | 34.6 MP |
| 4:3 (phones, compacts) | 11.1% of the image is cropped | 87.5 MP | 38.9 MP |
| 16:9 (video frame) | 15.6% of the image is cropped | 92.2 MP | 41 MP |
| 5:4 (large format) | 16.7% of the image is cropped | 93.3 MP | 41.5 MP |
| 1:1 (square) | 33.3% of the image is cropped | 116.6 MP | 51.8 MP |
Crop is the share of the image length removed along its longer side (or shorter side when the print is more elongated than the image). “Source needed” is the smallest image of that shape that still covers the print at that dpi after cropping.
What your camera gives you at this size
| Camera | Effective resolution when cropped to fill | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 12 MP phone (4032 × 3024) | 112 dpi | soft |
| 24 MP camera (6000 × 4000) | 167 dpi | fair |
| 48 MP phone (8064 × 6048) | 224 dpi | good |
Rule of thumb: 300 dpi is the usual target for lab prints and 150 dpi is the floor for a print viewed from a distance. Typical sensor sizes shown; check your own image dimensions.
Frames and mats for a 24 × 36 in print
| Common frame | With a mat | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 24 × 36 in frame | no mat | The print fills the frame; edges of the print sit under the rebate |
| 30 × 40 in frame | mat window about 23.5 × 35.5 in | 3.25 in of mat visible at each side, 2.25 in top and bottom |
Retail pairings are conventions, not a standard. The mat window is smaller than the print by about 1/4 inch at each edge so the print is held behind the mat; ask your framer, and see all sizes on the picture frame sizes page.
Posters are not printed at 300 dpi
A 300 dpi file for 24x36 inches is 77.8 megapixels, more than any ordinary camera. Posters are viewed from a metre or more, so 100 to 150 dpi is the working range. At 150 dpi the file is 3600 × 5400 pixels (19.4 megapixels), and at 100 dpi it is 2400 × 3600 (8.6 megapixels). Most poster printers will upscale and sharpen a smaller file, but they cannot add detail.
Poster, Arch D and 60x90 cm
The 24x36 poster is the same size as the architectural Arch D sheet (see US paper sizes). The metric near-equivalent is 60x90 cm (600 × 900 mm), which is 9.6 mm narrower and 14.4 mm shorter. ISO A1 (594 × 841 mm) is smaller than both: 15.6 mm narrower and 73.4 mm shorter than 24x36.
Frequently asked questions
What size is 24 x 36 in cm?
60.96 x 91.44 cm (609.6 x 914.4 mm).
What is 24 x 36 in pixels?
At 300 dpi it is 7,200 x 10,800 pixels; at 200 dpi 4,800 x 7,200; at 150 dpi 3,600 x 5,400.
How many megapixels for a 24 x 36 print?
About 77.8 megapixels for 300 dpi and 34.6 for 200 dpi, before allowing for cropping.
Is 24x36 the same as A1?
No. A1 is 594 x 841 mm; 24x36 inches is 609.6 x 914.4 mm.
What resolution do I need for a 24x36 poster?
About 100 to 150 dpi: 2400 x 3600 to 3600 x 5400 pixels. 300 dpi would need 7200 x 10800 pixels.