What Size Plaque Do I Need?
Type your wording, tell us how far away it will be read from, and get the right plaque size with a live price. No sign-up needed.
Where will it be read from?
Recommended size
11″ × 5″
Letters about 0.75″ tall · 3 lines · longest line 16 characters
Price at 11″ × 5″
- Stainless Steel$200
- Gold Brass$250
- Antique Brass$250
- Blackened Brass$250
- Reversed Antique Brass$350
- Reversed Blackened Brass$350
Each metal has a minimum order amount, so small plaques may cost the minimum. Shipping is calculated at checkout.
Nearest standard size: 12″ × 8″.
Design this plaque →How the calculator works
It sets the letter height from your viewing distance, then measures how much room your lines of text need, adds a comfortable margin, and rounds up to the next whole inch. Mounting holes add extra width on each side. The result is a sensible starting point. Your free proof shows the exact layout before anything is made.
Letter height by viewing distance
| Where it is read | Distance | Letter height |
|---|---|---|
| Up close (bench, tree, grave, wall) | 1–3 ft | ¾″ – 1″ |
| Doorway or office sign | 5–10 ft | 1″ – 1½″ |
| Building entrance | 15–20 ft | 2″ |
| Large outdoor sign | 30 ft+ | 3″ and up |
Based on the common rule of thumb of about 1″ of letter height per 10 ft. Close-up plaques use a ¾″ minimum for legibility.
Common plaque sizes
- 8″ × 6″: a name, dates and a short line. Great for urns, benches and small markers.
- 12″ × 8″: the most popular memorial size, with room for a short inscription.
- 16″ × 12″: longer inscriptions, donor names, or a logo or photo.
- 20″ × 16″ and larger: building dedications and donor walls.
Browse real examples in the gallery, or see how our online plaque maker works. Planning a specific type? Start with memorial plaques, donor plaques or outdoor plaques.
Frequently asked questions
What size should a memorial plaque be?+
For a plaque read up close, such as on a bench, tree or wall, 12″ × 8″ is the most common size. It fits a name, dates and a short inscription with letters about 1″ tall. Use the calculator above to size it to your exact wording.
How tall should the letters be?+
A common rule of thumb is about 1 inch of letter height for every 10 feet of viewing distance. Plaques read from arm's length can use smaller letters, but we suggest not going below about ¾ inch so the engraving stays easy to read.
What is the largest plaque you can make?+
The longer side can be up to 35 inches and the shorter side up to 24 inches, in any orientation.
Does the calculator include space for mounting holes?+
Yes. If you choose mounting holes, it adds extra width on both sides so the holes do not crowd your text.
How is the price calculated?+
Price is the plaque area in square inches multiplied by the rate for the metal you choose, with a minimum order amount per metal. The calculator shows both. Shipping is calculated at checkout.