Flyers are useful marketing tools for getting the word out.
However, there’s much more to a flyer campaign than leaving a few papers stapled to telephone poles around your neighborhood or behind the registers at your local grocery stores.
A professional graphic designer will tell you that flyer size has a significant impact on how your marketing materials are received.
Keep reading to learn all about the best flyer sizes for various purposes.
Most Common Flyer Sizes
The best size for a flyer depends on what you’re using it for.
Three of the most common print flyer sizes are standard, rack cards, and half-sheet flyers.
We’ll cover each paper size in greater detail below, but here are the basics:
- Standard Flyer: Standard-sized flyers are 8.5 x 11 inches, like regular office-size paper
- Rack Card Flyer: Rack card flyers are like long postcards, usually measuring 4.5 x 9 inches.
- Half-sheet Flyer: Half-sheet flyers measure 5.5 x 8.5 inches – the size of half a sheet of regular office paper.
Though these three are among the most readily available, most template designers carry a vast array of flyer dimensions to suit every need.
Other Types
Another example is the square flyer, which is particularly well-suited for showcasing an Instagram account due to its reflection of the platform’s post format. Social media stars often gravitate towards square flyers.
Another one is the large-format flyer, which is 11 x 17 inches – the size of small-format newspapers. Any flyer larger than 11 x 17 is typically used for outdoor advertising rather than distribution.
What Is the Standard Flyer Size?
A standard-sized flyer has the same dimensions as a standard piece of copy paper, or 8.5 x 11 inches. It’s also referred to as “letter size.”
You may occasionally encounter flyers with nearly the same dimensions as a standard flyer – for instance, 8.3 x 11.7 inches.
When to Use Standard Flyers
What is the best size for a flyer with a relatively high word count? If your advertisement includes a long list of amenities or a detailed description of an event or product launch, we suggest the standard flyer.
Size 8.5 x 11 is the largest common flyer size, so it’s the go-to choice when you have a lot of information to convey but still want it to be legible and easy for readers to digest.
Promote a Sale, Event, or New Product
This flyer size offers space to give potential customers and attendees all the information they need to know about the upcoming event, including:
- When and where the sale, event, or product launch is happening
- How they can attend the event or buy the product
- What’s being launched, celebrated, or sold
Connect New Clients to Your Care Business
Care businesses – such as hospitals, daycare centers, in-home caretaker agencies, and nursing homes – need to fit lots of information into their advertising materials.
For instance, a nursing home may want to list the amenities at the facility as well as describe the type of care residents can expect to receive.
A standard flyer fits this information nicely while still having enough space to include tear-off contact cards at the bottom to make it easier for potential clients to reach you.
Share the Details of Your Upcoming Class, Conference, or Campaign
Flyers announcing an upcoming class require enough space for a brief course description as well as details like where the classroom is, who is teaching the course, what time the class meets, and how long the class will run.
Pamphlets promoting a conference or campaign are often folded into brochures using a tri-fold to make them easier to mail.
When to Use Rack Card Flyers
What is the best size for a flyer that’s going to be displayed on a stand? In this case, you would consider a rack card flyer, which is usually 4.5 x 9 inches.
Since these flyers are often intended for distribution, they need to be printed on sturdy, glossy paper.
They can also be posted on a community announcement space such as a coffee shop bulletin board.
Restaurant Take Out Menus
Restaurant and cafe menus are most often presented in portrait format, with the menu items and prices shown in columns. They need to be small so customers can easily take them home and post them on their refrigerators or store them.
These cards can also be displayed on the restaurant’s counter using a stand.
Travel Packages and Guides
Flyers describing the travel packages an agency offers are usually printed on sturdy rack cards to encourage potential clients to save them. The average customer doesn’t plan a trip on a whim; they need time to contemplate the packages being offered and then save up enough money to book one.
Travel guides also need to be sturdy so that tourists can keep them and refer to them as needed throughout their trip. Rack cards are the ideal size for this purpose, and they still have plenty of space to list the most exciting places to visit in a particular area.
Marketing Handouts at Events
Handouts are meant to be taken home as a reminder for potential clients. Therefore, it’s essential that they be both portable and durable. That makes the rack card the ideal flyer size and style for this type of marketing material.
Events at which these flyers may be distributed include:
- A conference or trade show
- A play or other artistic performance
- A rally
When to Use Half-sheet Flyers
Half-page flyers have a little more space for information than rack cards, but not as much as full sheets. Therefore, they’re the ideal choice when your required word count falls somewhere between a rack card flyer and letter-size flyers.
Half-sheets are usually used as inserts or mailers, so they’re less likely to be laminated than rack cards. They can be printed out two to a page using office printers, making them a cost-effective choice for small businesses with relatively limited marketing budgets.
Church Bulletin Inserts
Church bulletin inserts provide information about weekly happenings at the local parish, including Bible study meetings, memorials, potlucks, and other events. They can also include a Bible verse, psalm, or passage relevant to the week’s sermon.
Inserts need to be small enough to fit inside the pages of the bulletin but large enough to describe the week’s events. A half-sheet is the perfect flyer size for this purpose.
Party and Event Flyers
If you’re hosting a party or event and hoping for the biggest possible turnout, a half-sheet is likely your ideal flyer size.
You can print twice as many half-sheets as full sheets for the same price, but you’ll still have enough space to list all of the important details, such as:
- Where and what time the party or event is happening
- The main draw or attraction (a famous speaker, band, DJ, etc.)
- The cost of entry and/or age requirement for attendees, e.g. 21+
School or Activity Flyers
What is the best size for a flyer describing school events or activities? (Many parents might roll their eyes and say, “It doesn’t matter – my kid’s backpack is like a black hole. That flyer is never going to make it home.”)
Half-sheets are the best choice for school flyers because they’re inexpensive to print and easy for children to transport. They have plenty of space to describe the school event or activity taking place, but they’re unlikely to get mixed up with other papers like a standard-size flyer might.
Choosing the Right Flyer Size: FlyerHeroes’ Recommendations
FlyerHeroes have taken the traditional metrics and optimized them. We consider the most effective flyer sizes to be:
8.5” x 11” Flyers
The standard paper size is known as “letter size”. It is widely recognized as a classic and traditional choice for various types of documents, including letters, official documents, brochures, and very frequently real estate flyers.
This size has established itself as a time-honored standard, offering familiarity and versatility across a wide range of printed materials. For exceptional flyer designs, consider exploring FlyerHeroes’ templates.
6” x 8.25” Flyers
Smaller than the standard size flyer, the 6’’ x 8.25’’ are perfect for flyer campaigns that require you to convey an urgent message that includes a bit more info than just event details. In addition to your message, they will perform best with a quick, effective CTA followed by your contact information presented in an accessible, attractive format.
When to Use 6” x 8.25” Flyers
Cultural Events
A 6” x 8.25” flyer is the ideal size to attract interest in a cultural event. The name and reason for the event should be displayed prominently at the center, with the event’s time and date included at the top.
The flyer should also include the address and contact details below the event’s name. Information about special guests, opportunities at the event, or other key reasons to attend can be added at the bottom of the flyer.
Our Women’s History Month flyers are a great example of how you can use these flyers to generate a buzz around your cultural event.
Fundraisers
If you’re organizing a fundraiser, this format is perfect for getting the word out. You can head the flyer with the theme/reason for the fundraiser, and include an attention-grabbing image in the center – check out this Earth Day flyer as an example.
Times and dates often work well at the top of the flyer. Telling your audience when they need to be at the event is a priority. The fundraiser’s address and your contact details (website, phone number, etc) can be included at the bottom.
Gatherings & Meetings
From town hall events to reading groups or classes, any type of gathering can gain traction with a simple, well-designed 6” x 8.25” flyer. The layout should always be simple and make sure you include the “what it is” and “when it is” at the forefront.
Bring people together by getting the message out in the clearest, most concise terms – check out the bundles at FlyerHeroes today!
4” x 6” Flyers
You only need to convey one message – and that’s the message that will make the sale. Typically 4” x 6” flyers work great when the reader just needs the information about when and where to show up.
4×6-inch flyers let you achieve that with minimal fuss and still have room for branding and gorgeous designs.
When to Use 4” x 6” Flyers
Seasonal Events
The 4” x 6” style is perfect for creating a buzz around time-sensitive events. If you’re trying to attract people to a seasonal event that is happening in the next few days, they’re more likely to respond to direct, immediate messaging than a long-form informational flyer.
Our St. Patrick’s Day Seasonal Bundle is a perfect example of this. The name, time, and date of the event are prominently displayed with captivating and attention-grabbing visuals.
These flyers immediately capture attention and summarize the mood of the event, letting your audience know what your event is all about – and encouraging them to show up with an engaging promotion or offer.
Club Nights
Club night campaigns often last for just a few hours. You’re trying to get people to visit your venue that same evening, so you don’t have any time to waste.
The name of your club night should be accompanied by key draws such as well-known performers or the night’s theme. The time and place should be prominently displayed, and if you’re advertising for a same-day event, make that clear – you want to create a sense of urgency.
The Black Friday Club flyers from FlyerHeroes make this easy for you! Check out our bundles and start spreading the good news today.
Flash Sales
Like club nights, flash sales may only have hours or days to create a buzz and generate a response. Your flyer needs to show why an immediate response is in the customer’s best interests – it should prominently display what discounts or offers are available, and where to find them.
If your flash sale includes a promotional code, this should also be easy to find. If you’re offering a discount, the code should include this number. The sale’s date can also be included in the code.
The 4” x 6” format is a fantastic way to drum up interest quickly. Let FlyerHeroes help you kickstart your campaign today.
Flyer Design Tips for All Sizes
It costs money to print flyers; therefore, it pays to put conscious thought into your flyer design before making your final order. This includes everything from flyer size to paper material and layout.
The following design tips apply to all flyer sizes and styles.
Simplify Your Message
Make your main message as succinct as possible, with all relevant details visible. It’s never safe to assume that prospective customers will take the time to comb through your entire flyer from top to bottom.
If you’re hosting an event, list the important details in an eye-catching font. If you’re having a sale, describe the deals and duration in as few words as possible.
Include a Clear CTA
Your “Call to Action” should appeal to potential and existing customers alike. Encourage readers to visit your website, check out your blog, shop at your sale – whatever you need them to do to support your business.
“Follow us on social media” is an example of a clear and concise CTA.
Use a Template
All printed flyers have to be formatted in an attractive way that makes the important details easy to spot immediately.
While researching which template to use, consider the following questions:
- Who is my target audience?
- What is the best flyer size for my event?
- Where will these flyers be posted or distributed?
Choose a flyer template that gels with your brand identity and that your target audience will find appealing.
What size flyer is the most effective?
The best flyer size depends on the purpose of your advertisement.
For instance, a smaller flyer is ideal to use as a mailer or handout, while a large format flyer is best used as a poster.
What makes a high-quality flyer?
To make an attention-grabbing flyer, both the color choice and the flyer design are extremely important. If you’re going to distribute flyers by hand, make sure they’re printed on durable paper.
Use the appropriate flyer size for your needs. If you aren’t sure, refer to the guide above or reach out to one of our customer service associates for assistance.
What is the size of a flyer for sales?
Businesses usually use a standard flyer for sales. They offer a lot of room for creative graphic design and the space to tell potential customers everything they need to know about the sale.
Create Flyers With FlyerHeroes Today!
FlyerHeroes is your home for stellar templates and cost-effective flyers designed to exceed your marketing goals.
We offer thousands of designs and multiple flyer dimensions to choose from. You can even sign up for a pro subscription to gain unlimited access to all of our templates – including any new ones we issue after you sign up!
Our rock-star customer service team is always on hand to answer any questions you have about flyer sizes. You’ll have a complete guide to all things flyer design at your fingertips – all you have to do is ask.
Check out our full range of templates and get started today!
