FRAME SIZE FOR A 27×40 MOVIE POSTER

The 27×40 inch poster is the official one-sheet movie poster size used by Hollywood studios since the 1980s. If you have picked up an original cinema poster, a reprint, or a limited-edition film print, this is almost certainly the size you are working with. At 69×102 cm, it is slightly larger than 24×36 and has a different aspect ratio (closer to 2:3 vs the 24×36’s exact 2:3). Most collectors frame movie posters without a mount to keep the cinema feel and avoid needing an enormous frame. Without a mount, you need a 27×40 inch frame. With a 2.5-inch mount, the frame jumps to 32×45 inches.

QUICK REFERENCE: 27×40" (MOVIE)

Inches

27" × 40"

Centimetres

68.6 × 101.6 cm

Frame without mount

27" × 40"

Frame with 2" mount

31" × 44"

CALCULATE YOUR FRAME SIZE

CALCULATE YOUR FRAME SIZE

Standard mount borders are 2–3". The Fine Art Trade Guild recommends a minimum of 2".

YOUR DIMENSIONS

Poster Size27" × 40"
Mount Opening26.5" × 39.5"
Mount Outer31" × 44"
Frame Size Needed31" × 44"

Mount opening accounts for a 0.25" overlap per side — the mount lip that holds the poster in place.

Frame: 31" × 44"

27" × 40"
Frame
Mount
Poster

WHERE TO HANG A 27×40 MOVIE POSTER

A movie poster is a conversation starter, so hang it where people will see it. Living rooms, home cinema setups, and dedicated media rooms are natural choices. The classic placement is on the wall facing the sofa, flanked by two smaller prints or sconces. In a home cinema, a row of three framed one-sheets above the seating creates an authentic lobby feel. Corridors work well too — a single 27×40 print at the end of a hallway draws the eye down the length of the space. Keep it away from direct sunlight, especially if it is an original or limited print. UV-filtering glass or acrylic is worth the investment for anything valuable. The wall needs to be at least 100 cm wide to give the frame visual breathing room.

BOLLYWOOD-STYLE CITY PRINTS

We do not sell 27×40 inch prints, but our 24×36 inch Bollywood-style posters of London and UK cities bring the same large-format cinema energy to your walls — from £39.99.

FRAMING TIPS

Movie poster frames are a specific category. Look for frames labelled “27×40” or “one-sheet” — they are widely available from specialist retailers. Snap-open frames with front-loading edges are popular because they let you swap posters easily. For a permanent display, a traditional wooden frame with glass and a sealed back provides better protection. If you are framing an original poster, always use UV-filtering glass and acid-free backing. Never dry-mount or adhesive-mount an original cinema poster — it destroys the value.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is a movie poster always 27×40 inches?
The standard US one-sheet has been 27×40 inches since the early 1980s. Older one-sheets (pre-1983) were 27×41 inches. International formats vary — UK quad posters are 30×40 inches (landscape orientation), and Japanese B2 posters are 20×29 inches. Always measure your actual poster before buying a frame.
What is the difference between 27×40 and 24×36?
A 27×40 poster is 3 inches wider and 4 inches taller than a 24×36 poster. The aspect ratios also differ slightly: 27×40 is 1:1.48, while 24×36 is exactly 1:1.5 (2:3). A 27×40 print will not fit in a 24×36 frame.
Should I use acid-free mount board for a movie poster?
Yes, if the poster has any monetary or sentimental value. Standard mount board contains acids that yellow over time and can damage the print. Acid-free (also called museum-grade or conservation-grade) mount board costs a few pounds more but protects the poster for decades. Use acid-free backing board too.

OTHER POSTER SIZES

View all sizes in the full calculator →

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