Oil Painting Size Guide
Oil Painting Size Guide
Explore standard oil painting sizes (in centimeters and inches) to help artists and collectors understand the three main formats: Figure (portrait), Landscape, and Marine. Choose the perfect size for your creation or collection.
| Size Number | Figure Format F (Portrait) |
Landscape Format P (Landscape) |
Marine Format M (Marine) |
Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 18×14 cm (7.1×5.5″) | - | 18×10 cm (7.1×3.9″) | Small portraits, sketches |
| 4 | 33×24 cm (13.0×9.4″) | 33×22 cm (13.0×8.7″) | 33×19 cm (13.0×7.5″) | Desktop decoration, still life |
| 8 | 46×38 cm (18.1×15.0″) | 46×33 cm (18.1×13.0″) | 46×27 cm (18.1×10.6″) | Indoor portraits, small landscapes |
| 10 | 55×46 cm (21.7×18.1″) | 55×38 cm (21.7×15.0″) | 55×33 cm (21.7×13.0″) | Standard portraits, medium marine |
| 15 | 65×54 cm (25.6×21.3″) | 65×50 cm (25.6×19.7″) | 65×46 cm (25.6×18.1″) | Bust portraits, detailed landscapes |
| 20 | 73×60 cm (28.7×23.6″) | 73×54 cm (28.7×21.3″) | 73×50 cm (28.7×19.7″) | Group portraits, large landscapes |
| 30 | 92×73 cm (36.2×28.7″) | 92×65 cm (36.2×25.6″) | 92×60 cm (36.2×23.6″) | Living room decoration, hotel arrangement |
| 60 | 146×114 cm (57.5×44.9″) | 146×97 cm (57.5×38.2″) | 146×89 cm (57.5×35.0″) | Public spaces, gallery exhibitions |
Size Comparison Visualization
Intuitive comparison of different oil painting sizes with everyday objects
Small Size
Approximately the size of a standard tablet, perfect for quick sketches and small portraits.
Medium Size
Similar to a laptop screen size, suitable for indoor portraits and small landscapes.
Standard Size
Larger than most computer monitors, ideal for detailed portraits and landscapes.
Large Size
Approximately the size of a small door, perfect as a focal point in a living room.
Extra Large Size
Larger than a standard door, creates a dramatic effect in large spaces.
Format Comparison Visualization
Visual comparison of different formats at the same size number
Figure Format (Portrait)
Tall and vertical format, perfect for:
- Full-body portraits
- Figure compositions
- Vertical landscapes
- Three-quarter length portraits
Landscape Format
Wider horizontal format, perfect for:
- Landscape paintings
- Panoramic views
- Group compositions
- Abstract paintings
Marine Format
Ultra-wide format designed for:
- Seascapes and ocean views
- Dramatic sky scenes
- Panoramic cityscapes
- Wide abstract compositions
Oil Painting Size Selection Guide
Choose the perfect size based on your needs
Consider the Purpose
- Desktop decoration: Size 4 or smaller
- Home walls: Sizes 8-20 are ideal for living rooms and bedrooms
- Commercial spaces: Sizes 30-60 suit hotel lobbies and offices
- Gallery exhibitions: Size 30 and above create strong visual impact
Choose Format by Subject
- Portraits: F format (vertical) works best
- Landscapes: P format (horizontal) showcases scenes better
- Seascapes/panoramas: M format (ultra-wide) provides immersion
- Abstract art: Select based on composition needs
Match Space Proportions
- Measure your wall space
- Ensure adequate margins around the painting (>30cm)
- For multiple paintings, use same or complementary sizes
- Consider furniture proportions (painting above sofa should be ~2/3 sofa width)
Real World Examples
See how different sizes look in actual settings
Tabletop Still Life
33×24 cm - Figure Format
Portrait of a Woman
46×38 cm - Figure Format
Abstract Landscape
65×50 cm - Landscape Format
Coastal Seascape
92×60 cm - Marine Format
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about oil painting sizes
When selecting a painting for your living room, consider the size of your sofa or main wall:
- Above a loveseat: Size 8-10 (46-55cm wide)
- Above a standard sofa: Size 15-20 (65-73cm wide)
- Above a large sofa: Size 30 (92cm wide) or multiple paintings
- As a focal point: Size 20-30 (73-92cm wide)
The painting width should be approximately 2/3 of the furniture width, with the bottom of the painting 15-30cm above the furniture.
Standard size canvases are available at:
- Art supply stores (both physical and online)
- E-commerce platforms (Amazon, Etsy, Blick Art Materials)
- Specialty art retailers (Jerry's Artarama, Utrecht Art Supplies)
- Custom framing studios (for special sizes)
Ensure canvases meet international standards (F/P/M formats) and check canvas quality and wood type.
When arranging multiple paintings:
- Use same-size paintings in symmetrical arrangements
- Center a large painting with smaller ones around it
- Maintain consistent spacing (5-10cm recommended)
- Align bottoms for a clean look
- Mix formats (F/P/M) for visual interest
- Use a unifying theme or color palette
Preview arrangements on the floor or with design software before hanging.