Yard Sign Sizes
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Readable at 30 miles per hour. I tested it on my scooter.
Then say how fast the reader is moving. The sign trade rule is one inch of capital height per ten feet, and speed sets the distance.
At 25 mph, with 3 seconds of approach
11 in capitals
That is a reading distance of about 110 ft. On a 12 x 18 in sign, 1 line fits at that height, with a capital height of space between lines and 1/2 in kept clear at the top and bottom.
One line. At this speed the sign can carry a name or a phone number, not both. Either step up a size, or accept that it is a one-word sign.
- Finished size
- 12 x 18 in
- Document size with bleed
- 12 1/2 x 18 1/2 in
- Keep text inside
- 1/2 in from every edge
- Pixels at 150 DPI
- 1800 x 2700 px
- Printed as
- Yard Signs
4OVER4 asks for 1/8 in of bleed on standard print and 1/4 in on large format. This page uses the large-format figure because the configurator marks this product as large format.
Corrugated plastic has flutes running one way through the board. The H-stake slides into those flutes, so the flute direction has to match how the sign will stand. Say which way up it goes when you order.
Capital height by speed
| Speed | Approach | Minimum capitals | Lines on a 12 x 18 in sign |
|---|---|---|---|
| On foot | 13 ft | 1.3 in | 7 |
| 15 mph | 66 ft | 6.6 in | 1 |
| 25 mph | 110 ft | 11 in | 1 |
| 35 mph | 154 ft | 15.4 in | 1 |
| 45 mph | 198 ft | 19.8 in | 0 |
BetaThis is in beta, so some things may not work yet. We’d love your feedback.Send feedback
What the Yard Signs configurator says about size
- Sizes
- The configurator offers 3 sizes for this product. Every one of them is listed above, exactly as the configurator lists it.
- Custom size
- This product does not take a custom size. Pick one of the sizes above, or contact us if you have a custom order.
- Large format
- This is a large-format product, so the configurator does not apply the small-press bounds to it.
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Yard SignsFrom $25.005.0·62 reviewsShop now About the yard sign sizer
Each yard sign size drawn to scale, with the distance a driver can read it from at the letter height you choose.
The standard yard sign is 18 x 24 inches on 4mm corrugated plastic. A driver at 25 mph gets about three seconds, which means capitals around 11 inches tall and two or three words.
How to use the yard sign sizer
- Pick a yard sign size from the list.
- Pick how fast the reader is moving, from on foot to 45 mph.
- Read the capital height you need and how many lines fit on the sign.
- Check the document size with bleed and keep text inside the margin shown.
- Set up your file to match and order Yard Signs from 4OVER4.
The sizes we print
18 x 24 inches is the standard yard sign, and the size H-stakes and frames are built for. Real Estate Yard Signs come at 24 x 18 inches, landscape.
12 x 18 inches is the small sign, for a tight verge or a window. 12 x 24 inches is the tall, narrow one.
Readability at driving speed
A sign on a verge is read from a moving car. The same one-inch-per-ten-feet rule applies, but the distance you need is set by speed: a driver at 30 mph covers about 44 feet a second, and the tool gives the reader three seconds of approach.
At 25 mph that is about 110 feet, so 11 inch capitals, and one line of them fits on an 18 x 24 inch sign. A phone number at 3 inch capitals is readable from 30 feet, which is a parked car, not a moving one.
Stock, stakes and the weather
Yard signs print on 4mm corrugated plastic, which has flutes running one way through it. The H-stake slides into those flutes, so the flute direction has to match the way you intend to stand the sign. Vertical flutes for a vertical sign.
Yard signs are large format, so the bleed is 0.25 in, and the text stays 0.5 in inside the trim. If the sign is on a corner where traffic comes from two directions, choose 4 color on both sides. The H-stake and grommets are options you add.
Common questions
Questions about yard sign sizes
What is the standard yard sign size?
18 x 24 inches. It is what stakes, frames and riders are built for. We also print 12 x 18 and 12 x 24 inches, and 24 x 18 inches landscape on Real Estate Yard Signs.
How big should the text be on a yard sign?
For a driver at 25 mph, about 11 inch capitals for the main message, and about 15 inch capitals at 35 mph. For someone on foot or in a parked car, 3 inch capitals read from about 30 feet.
What are yard signs made of?
4mm white corrugated plastic, called coroplast. It has flutes running through it, and the H-stake slides into those flutes, so the flute direction has to match how the sign will stand.
What yard sign sizes can I order?
12 x 18, 12 x 24 and 18 x 24 inches, plus 24 x 18 inches landscape on the real estate signs. All of them print on 4mm corrugated plastic.
How much bleed does a yard sign need?
0.25 inches on every edge, the large format allowance, with the text kept 0.5 inches inside the trim.
Explore more
Where to go next
Banner Sizes
Vinyl banner sizes to scale, plus the letter height that makes them readable.
Retractable Banner Size
Roll-up stand sizes with the printed area and the hidden area both marked.
Poster Sizes
Every poster size we print, from 8 x 10 in to 40 x 60 in mounted, drawn to scale.
Sticker Sizes
Every sticker and label size, with the cut line, bleed and safe area drawn.