How to measure for a banner

How to measure for a banner comes down to one rule: measure between the points you will tie to, not the whole wall or fence, then take off enough for the ties so the banner sits flat. Round down to the nearest stock size, or order a custom size to the millimetre. This guide covers the tools, the steps, the allowances for different fixings and how to turn your numbers into an order.

If you are still deciding what size the message needs to be, read our guide to what size banner you need first. This article is about getting the measurements right for the space you have.

What you need #

• A steel tape measure of 5 m or longer (a cloth tape stretches).
• Your phone, to write the numbers down and take a photo of the space.
• A second person to hold the far end on anything over 2 m.
• A step ladder only if you can use it safely on firm, level ground.

How to measure for a banner step by step #

1. Decide where the ties go. Pick the posts, rails, hooks or frame the banner will be fixed to. These fixing points set the size, not the surface behind them.
2. Measure the width between fixing points. Measure from the outside of one fixing point to the outside of the other, in millimetres.
3. Measure the height. On railings, measure from the top rail to the bottom rail. On a wall, measure from the highest fixing you can reach safely to the lowest point people will still see over parked cars, bins or planters.
4. Measure again at the other end. Railings, fences and walls are rarely square. Use the smaller of the two readings.
5. Look for obstructions. Note gates that open outwards, lamp posts, existing signs, window sills and down pipes. A banner has to clear them all.
6. Take off the fixing allowance. Subtract the allowance for your fixing method (see the table below) from each side, so the banner can be pulled flat.
7. Measure the reading distance. Stand where people will see it from, such as across the road or at the car park entrance, and pace or measure the distance. This decides your letter size.
8. Match it to a size. Pick the nearest stock size that fits inside your final numbers, or enter them as a custom size.
9. Photograph the space. Keep the photo with your measurements. It helps when you design, and it helps us if you ask for advice.

Allowances for ties and fixings #

Knowing how to measure for a banner includes allowing for the fixings. The banner needs a gap between its edge and the fixing point so the tie or cord has somewhere to go. As a starting point:

Fixing method	Take off each side	Why
Cable ties to railings or fence rails	25 to 50 mm	Ties pull tight over a short gap and keep the banner flat
Bungee cords to posts or hooks	100 to 150 mm	Bungees need room to stretch and hold tension
Rope or string to hooks	50 to 100 mm	Allows for knots and adjusting the tension
Inside a frame or between fixed battens	Measure to the frame	The fixing is designed for an exact size

A banner that is slightly too small can always be tensioned. One that is too big has to be folded or left flapping, and the fold ends up across your wording.

Measuring different surfaces #

The method for how to measure for a banner stays the same everywhere, but each surface has its own catches.

Railings

Measure between the uprights you will tie to, not the whole length. Railings with spikes on top need the banner fixed below the spikes, so measure from the top rail down. Check that the banner will not stop a gate opening.

Fences and Heras panels

Close-board and panel fences take ties or screws at the posts, so measure between posts. On temporary site fencing, measure one panel; our guide to Heras fence panel size covers this in detail.

Walls and shop fronts

Use existing fixings where you can. On a shop front, measure the fascia or the wall area above the window, and check the banner will not cover your permanent sign, a burglar alarm box or a light.

Indoors

In a hall, church or venue, measure the hanging points and the ceiling height, and keep the banner clear of fire exit signs and doors.

From measurements to a banner size #

Once you have your final numbers, find the largest size that fits. The minimum space column below assumes cable ties with 50 mm each side.

Stock size	Exact size	Minimum space with cable ties
4 ft × 2 ft	1219 × 610 mm	1319 × 710 mm
6 ft × 3 ft	1829 × 914 mm	1929 × 1014 mm
6 ft 7 in × 3 ft 3 in	2000 × 1000 mm	2100 × 1100 mm
8 ft × 3 ft	2438 × 914 mm	2538 × 1014 mm
8 ft × 4 ft	2438 × 1219 mm	2538 × 1319 mm
10 ft × 3 ft	3048 × 914 mm	3148 × 1014 mm
13 ft 1 in × 3 ft 3 in	4000 × 1000 mm	4100 × 1100 mm

One foot is exactly 304.8 mm, as set out in Schedule 1 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985, so always check the millimetre figure rather than rounding feet to 30 cm. You can see every stock size under banner sizes.

If nothing fits well, order a custom size. PVC banners can be made from 300 mm up to 16 ft 5 in × 9 ft 10 in (5000 × 3000 mm), and custom size banners start from £34.58. Type your width and height and the price updates straight away. Banners over 3 m on any side carry a one-off £15 oversize delivery charge per order.

Letter height from your measurements #

The reading distance you measured in step 7 sets the size of your words. A common sign-trade rule of thumb is 25 mm of capital letter height for every 3 m of viewing distance. A banner read from 9 m needs capitals of about 75 mm; from 15 m, about 125 mm. Our guide to sign letter height has a full table.

Common measuring mistakes #

These four slips catch people out when they first work out how to measure for a banner:

• Measuring the whole fence rather than between the posts you will tie to.
• Forgetting the allowance for ties, so the banner bunches up.
• Rounding feet to 30 cm, which makes a 10 ft banner about 5 cm longer than you planned for.
• Writing width and height the wrong way round. Always write width first.

When it arrives, our guide on how to hang a banner takes you through fixing it. If you are unsure how to measure for a banner on an awkward space, send us a photo with your numbers: call 0161 315 1151 or use the contact form.