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What can your customer read from 1, 2 and 3 meters?
Most buyers ask the same question before they choose a pitch: how small can the text be? The answer depends on one number, the distance of the closest viewer. This article turns 1, 2 and 3 meters into a pitch and a pixel budget, so you can plan the words before you plan the order.
- 1 m
- 2 m
- 3 m
The rule of thumb
The minimum viewing distance in meters is roughly the pixel pitch in millimeters. A viewer at 1 m is served by P1.25, a viewer at 2 m by P1.86 or P2, and a viewer at 3 m by P3.076. It is a rule of thumb and a starting point, not a measured limit. The full table is in the pixel pitch guide.
What 1, 2 and 3 meters mean in pixels
| Distance | Pitch to look at | 640 poster, pixels | What it carries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 m | P1.25 | 512 × 1536 | Small text, product details, fine pictures |
| 1.5 m | P1.538 | 416 × 1248 | Reception notices, menu details |
| 2 m | P1.86 or P2 | 344 × 1032 or 320 × 960 | Menu lines, short paragraphs, schedules |
| 3 m | P2.5 or P3.076 | 256 × 768 or 208 × 624 | Headlines, offers, numbers, photos with short text |
Counting pixels per letter
The canvas of a 640 poster is narrow, so the width in pixels is the real budget. At P2.5 the width is 256 pixels. A line of 20 letters gets about 13 pixels per letter, and a headline of 8 letters gets 32 pixels per letter. At P1.25 the width is 512 pixels, so the same 20 letters get about 26 pixels each. A finer pitch does not make the poster larger. It gives each letter more pixels, and that is what makes small text readable.
What it means for the content
Short lines read better than long ones on a portrait canvas. Put the main message in a large headline, keep the secondary lines to a few words, and leave space around them. If you need more text per line, choose the 960 poster, which is 1.5 times wider in pixels at the same pitch, or choose a finer pitch. The content creation checklist lists the steps.
Check on a real poster
Viewers also stop closer than planned and read from the side. Load your real artwork on a sample, stand at the closest distance and read it. Send us the artwork and the distance and we advise on the pitch. The resolution guide has the pixel counts for 960 posters and walls.
Questions and answers
Is meters equals millimeters an exact law?
No. It is a rule of thumb for ordinary content. It gives you the pitch to start with, and a test on a sample confirms it.
Can customers read my text at 3 m with P2.5?
Large headlines and numbers, yes. Small print needs a finer pitch or a closer viewer.
How many letters fit on a line of a 640 poster?
It depends on the size of the letters. At P2.5 the width is 256 pixels, so 20 letters leave about 13 pixels each.
Does a finer pitch show more text?
It shows sharper text. The number of letters per line stays limited by the width, so write shorter lines.
Which pitch for a viewer 1.5 m away?
P1.538 is the closest match, or P1.25 if the viewer can come closer.
What if viewers come from 1 m and from 4 m?
Choose the pitch for the closest viewer, and make the main message large enough for the farthest viewer.
Do I need a finer pitch for photos than for text?
Photos are forgiving. Text and thin lines show the pitch first, so choose the pitch for the text.
Where can I see the pixel counts for walls?
In the resolution guide, which lists one, two and three posters for each pitch.
Request a quote
Request a quote and tell us the type, the pixel pitch, the quantity, the destination country and your control system (NovaStar with Mean Well PSU by default; Huidu or Colorlight as a lower-cost option). Price, MOQ and lead time are quoted per order. Samples are available.