Paint by numbers sizes
Bigger isn’t harder — it’s often easier, and always more detailed. Here’s how our sizes compare on difficulty and time, the full list of sizes in inches and centimetres, and how to choose the right size (and frame) for a portrait.
Small, medium or large?
The bigger the canvas, the larger each numbered area — which means more room for detail and an easier brush, not a harder one. Match the tier to how much time and detail you want.
Small
The easy, satisfying starting point. Quick to finish, simple to frame, and perfect for a first try or a gift you want to complete in a weekend.
Medium
The most popular choice. Enough room for real detail without a huge time commitment — a genuine centrepiece that still fits a relaxed week of evenings.
Large
Maximum detail and real presence on the wall. The finest shading, the truest portraits, and the most rewarding to paint over a longer, slower project.
Two ways to choose a size
How many sizes you can pick from depends on which kind of kit you’re buying:
- Ready-made designs come in two popular standard sizes — 16×20 in (40×50 cm) and 24×30 in (60×75 cm) — so you can start quickly with a design you love.
- Custom & personalized kits (made from your own photo) unlock the full range of 25 sizes below, from a compact 12×20 in up to a room-filling 28×55 in — you choose the exact size.
How to read these tiers
“Difficulty” here isn’t about skill — every kit is numbered and pre-mixed, so anyone can complete any size. It’s really about time and patience. A larger canvas has more numbered shapes to fill, so it takes longer, but each shape is bigger and easier to paint neatly. If your hands find tiny spaces fiddly, a bigger canvas is genuinely the friendlier choice. The times above are gentle estimates over relaxed sessions — there’s no rush, and part of the pleasure is taking your time.
Every custom size at a glance
Here are all 25 custom sizes in inches, with the centimetre equivalent and a difficulty tier so you can picture each one on your wall:
| Size (inches) | Size (cm) | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 12 × 20 | 30 × 50 | Small |
| 12 × 24 | 30 × 60 | Small |
| 16 × 16 | 40 × 40 | Small |
| 16 × 20 | 40 × 50 | Small |
| 16 × 24 | 40 × 60 | Small |
| 20 × 20 | 50 × 50 | Small |
| 16 × 28 | 40 × 70 | Medium |
| 20 × 24 | 50 × 60 | Medium |
| 16 × 32 | 40 × 80 | Medium |
| 20 × 28 | 50 × 70 | Medium |
| 24 × 24 | 60 × 60 | Medium |
| 24 × 28 | 60 × 70 | Medium |
| 24 × 30 | 60 × 75 | Medium |
| 24 × 32 | 60 × 80 | Medium |
| 28 × 28 | 70 × 70 | Medium |
| 24 × 36 | 60 × 90 | Large |
| 24 × 40 | 60 × 100 | Large |
| 28 × 36 | 70 × 90 | Large |
| 32 × 32 | 80 × 80 | Large |
| 24 × 48 | 60 × 120 | Large |
| 28 × 40 | 70 × 100 | Large |
| 36 × 36 | 90 × 90 | Large |
| 28 × 48 | 70 × 120 | Large |
| 32 × 48 | 80 × 120 | Large |
| 28 × 55 | 70 × 140 | Large |
The full range is available on our custom from photo and personalized kits, where you choose the size yourself. For finished designs (16×20 or 24×30 in), browse paint by numbers for adults or the large paint by numbers collection.
Frame options
Every size — ready-made and custom — comes with three ways to finish it. Pick the one that suits how you like to paint and display.
No Frame
The numbered canvas ships rolled and flat — lightest and most affordable. Paint it, then stretch or frame it yourself later, whenever you’re ready.
DIY Frame
Comes with easy wooden bars you assemble and stretch the canvas over — a taut, gallery-style finish you build yourself in minutes. No tools needed.
Already Framed
Arrives professionally stretched on a wooden frame — the moment you finish the last number, it goes straight on the wall. The easiest, most gift-ready option.
Choosing a size for faces and portraits
This is the one place size really matters. A face is made of subtle shading — cheeks, shadows, the light in the eyes — and every one of those details needs its own numbered shape to render. On a small canvas there simply isn’t room, so faces flatten out and stop looking like the person. The rule is straightforward:
- Single portrait or pet: choose 20×28 in (50×70 cm) or larger so the face has room to breathe.
- Couples or two subjects: step up to 24×30 in (60×75 cm) or 24×36 in (60×90 cm).
- Group photos and weddings: go large — 28×36 in (70×90 cm) or more — so no one becomes a blur.
Size and colour detail work together here. A big canvas gives you room; the 48-colour Premium detail level fills that room with lifelike shading. For any portrait or pet we recommend 36–48 colours — pairing that with a larger size is the single best way to make a custom canvas truly look like your photo. Learn the whole process on how it works, and read our best-photo tips before you upload.
Framing & shipping. Every size and frame option ships tracked worldwide, with the cost shown at checkout. Larger canvases naturally weigh a little more, but the delivery window stays the same: US 10–16 business days and worldwide 12–20 business days, plus 2–4 days make time for custom pieces. See full details on shipping & delivery.
Found your size?
Pick your canvas, colour detail and frame, upload a photo you love, and we’ll proof it with you before we print.
Start your custom canvas