{"id":26137,"date":"2021-02-25T12:30:20","date_gmt":"2021-02-25T12:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mauriziolacava.com\/?p=26137"},"modified":"2026-01-26T10:18:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T10:18:15","slug":"powerpoint-slide-sizes-how-to-change-them-and-manage-them-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mauriziolacava.com\/en\/powerpoint-slide-sizes-how-to-change-them-and-manage-them-better\/","title":{"rendered":"PowerPoint slide sizes: how to change them and manage them better"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Working with the correct PowerPoint slide size is like laying the foundation before building a home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you start creating any graphics on your slides, it is always a good idea to define the size of your workspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isn’t that obvious?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can already see you nodding your head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I can assure you that it is not so obvious to navigate through the different options that PowerPoint offers you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How many times have you had difficulty converting a presentation <\/a>from 4:3 to 16:9? Maybe the new company template has become 16:9, and you had to convert presentations that you have always used to 4:3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you convert them the content gets distorted, the photos get blurred and your template – which looked so well balanced – is now all stretched out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And fixing it is a lot of work!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that’s not all – there’s more than one reason why learning how to handle PowerPoint slide sizes at their best is worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, being able to adapt your workspace to any size, you can turn PowerPoint into a powerful graphical tool to create social media posts or small brochures to print for an event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s proceed one step at a time, follow me. And if you need support with your slides or want to enhance their visual impact, consider working with our PowerPoint presentation design agency<\/a> that specializes in creating professional and tailored presentations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>How to change the PowerPoint slide size<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, it is important to know the menu that you will use to change the PowerPoint slide size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you already know where it is?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ll show you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Open the Design tab and select Slide Size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is where the option to change the proportions of your presentation from 4:3 to 16:9 is hidden!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want custom sizes instead?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proceed to Custom Slide Size to manage all your other requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Custom<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the drop-down menu you’ll find a rich list of possible options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I thought I’d show them all to help you see all the standard PowerPoint slide sizes at a glance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose the solution that’s right for you or create a customized one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Seen this way they look a lot more than when you look at them in the drop-down menu, don’t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s review them together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Widescreen vs On-Screen Show (16:9)<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The classic widescreen sixteen to nine format is considered a standard for presentations. When I work in PowerPoint it is the one I always use, unless there are special circumstances or requests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Okay, but why are there two options for 16:9 on PowerPoint?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actually, if you look at the graphics below, you’ll notice that they are two 16:9 formats – so there is no difference other than in absolute dimensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"16:9<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The 16:9 On-Screenshow was introduced with PowerPoint 2010 as the first 16:9 version of slides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem was that most of the other slides were 7.5″ in height, so switching the content from a 4:3 to a 16:9, for example, always required adjustments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"version<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So, Microsoft decided to introduce a new version of the 16:9 with 7.5″ height in order to reduce the re-processing of content between different slide formats (but now with the same height).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"16:9,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, the new Widescreen is always a 16:9, only it’s a little bit higher (H7.5) and, consequently, a little wider (W13.3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>On-Screen show 4:3<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Standard PowerPoint slide size widely used in the past and now almost completely replaced by 16:9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you still see presentations in 4:3?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are usually old presentations, or maybe they were created by users who haven’t been up to date with presentation design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In any case they are still around, so you’ll have to deal with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is their size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you choose between 4:3 and 16:9?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow me and I’ll tell you about it in a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>On-Screen show 16:10<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 16:10 format landed in the laptop market in 2003.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At that time, the unassailable 4:3 reigned, but by 2005-2008 it was already clear that 16:10 would prevail. In short, after a few years the 16:10 had replaced the 4:3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 2008 and 2010, however, the 16:10 quickly lost ground in favor of the now well-known 16:9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For reasons of production efficiency, 16:9 format television sets have driven the laptop market to adapt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The transition has always been a topic of debate for all users who use productivity software and need more vertical workspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020 Dell and Apple seem to have launched laptops for productivity returning to the 16:10 format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you think?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my opinion, 16:10 in presentations is a format that cannot disappear and may soon be back in style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s definitely worth some attention, and thanks to PowerPoint for keeping it among the standard sizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Letter Size 8.5×11 in<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is a standard letter format in the following countries: USA, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This format was standardized in the USA by the Reagan administration in 1980.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honestly, I’ve never found myself using it in PowerPoint, but if you\u2019ll need it, you\u2019ll know you have it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>35 mm Slide<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This format refers to the size of the shots on old photographic rolls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know, when I first learned about it I didn’t want to believe it either, but that’s just it, PowerPoint is a bit nostalgic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I’ve never used this format and I don’t expect we’ll need it anymore, but if PowerPoint keeps it – maybe for a reason. Let’s just hope that reason is not nostalgia!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Ledger Paper 11×17 in<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This format, also known as Tabloid, was born as a more spacious solution in case the letter size paper format was not enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was born for engineering and architecture firms that needed to print technical designs, usually from software like AutoCAD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might find this format in PowerPoint if you work in an engineering environment and you are presenting project designs imported from software such as AutoCAD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>A4 paper 210×297 mm<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The most standard format around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is the international standard format according to the ISO 216 standard, except for some countries that have not adopted it, such as North America, Central America and South America, where the corresponding standard is the letter paper format we were talking about earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wait! does the A4 format appear in presentations?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the A4 format is very interesting when you have to print your materials. Obviously, this is true for all countries except those that use the letter format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve often used it in presentations that I needed to print. Obviously, it will not have the screen rendering of a 16:9 format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In fact, the A4 is narrower than a 16:9, and tends to sacrifice the slide’s horizontal space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>A3 paper 297×420 mm<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Standard format, larger than the A4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What? A3 is bigger than A4?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, yes – in this case the numbers go from smallest to biggest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A3<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A3 is also a standard format and is twice the size of an A4 (see image below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A3<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It looks particularly good when you need to print posters or other content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, I often use it when I print a Lean Presentation Strategy Canvas<\/a> or a Presentation Assessment Canvas<\/a>, so that we all have the space to actively collaborate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the following image we are working on an A3 format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>B4 (ISO) Paper 250×353 mm \/ B5 (ISO) Paper 176×250 mm<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These are standard formats designed to cover the uncovered areas left by the A(x) series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"B4<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As I said for the A4, this is a format suitable for printing, but I hardly see it used on a screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can use it – with a proper judgement – to print in a size other than A4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Banner<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here we are talking about a large horizontal banner. You can really have fun with this format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I found myself using this format for website banners to be exported directly as an image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actually, I think this format should inspire you more than anything else to explore PowerPoint’s potential, which extends far beyond the simple slide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, web banners usually have custom sizes that I usually find myself inserting in PowerPoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Overhead<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is a format with an aspect ratio very close to 4:3. Honestly, I’ve never used it before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a quick overview of all the formats available on PowerPoint and their primary uses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ll summarize all the aspect ratios in a single table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"all<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Custom<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If none of the formats is right for you, the best solution would be the custom format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whenever I step out of the traditional 4:3, 16:9 or A4 formats, it’s usually because I need exact customized sizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, it is essential that you know how to set the height and width of a customized format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>PowerPoint slide size – from pixels\/millimeters to inches in a second<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PowerPoint allows you to set the slide size in inches, but you may be in a situation where you need to insert pixels or centimeters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wait! Isn’t it enough to change PowerPoint’s metric system as I would on Illustrator?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No, PowerPoint doesn’t work that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, from a certain point of view, PowerPoint is much simpler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, you just need to insert the measurements you want by specifying the unit of measurement, and PowerPoint will automatically convert them to inches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don’t believe it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then try it yourself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if I used 1080×1920 pixels, the result would be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

See? PowerPoint has converted pixels to inches on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The conversion also works with centimeters\/millimeters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, it is true, you can’t change PowerPoint’s metric system – but it is also true that you will never need it, since PowerPoint automatically takes care of the conversion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Orientation, Notes, Handouts & Outline<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Page orientation may vary from vertical to horizontal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever thought about it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are all used to thinking horizontally when working on PowerPoint, but the tool also allows you to work vertically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I happen to use the vertical format from time to time, and I’ve always enjoyed it very much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"landscape<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is “number of slides from” for?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You won’t believe this, but I’m about to reveal something on which you’ve probably wasted a lot of time on a number of occasions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That number represents the first counting number of PowerPoint slides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If that number is 4, when you see the slide numbering, it won’t start from 1 but from 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look, I set it to 4:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Activate slide numbering from Insert > Slide Number:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"slide<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Apply to all slides to make sure we don’t miss any.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, I will go to the first slide and let you look at the number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"powerpoint<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What number appears in the first slide?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exactly, number 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, from that window, you can set the starting number of the automatic slide count.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>PowerPoint slide size \u2013 4:3 vs 16:9<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, we must clarify that 4:3 and 16:9 only refer to the slide format, but dimensions can be quite different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can have a small 4:3 and a large 4:3 – the same goes for the 16:9 format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 16:9 format the slide is 78% wider than high, while in a 4:3 the slide is 33% wider than high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 4:3 format has always been perfect for projectors and printing, while the 16:9 is perfect for high impact content shown on televisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Printing aside, the latest generation projectors support 16:9. So 16:9 is now the most popular format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wait, so 4:3 is a dead format?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No, not quite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might need it to create a SlideShare presentation and avoid the black bars above and below the slide, typical of the 16:9 format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Maurizio<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, however, I always design in 16:9 for portability and flexibility of the presentation, which once produced I can reuse on several occasions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have a look at my SlideShare profile \u2013 Maurizio La Cava – SlideShare<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Switching from one format to another can require lengthy editing, and unfortunately there are no techniques that can speed up the work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, my advice is to act beforehand and avoid, if possible, having to readjust your PowerPoint contents to a different format from the one in which you created it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, always try to adapt to the context in which you are working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the people you work with use 16:9 slides, you’d better adapt to maximize cooperation and information exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what should you do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My advice is to always use the 16:9 format – unless you have specific needs where the 4:3 output is so much better that it justifies editing or adapting content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>PowerPoint slide size for social media<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you can change the slide size, PowerPoint becomes a very flexible tool that allows you to create graphics for every need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever considered that you could create all social communications of a brand or your company through PowerPoint?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is to know the right size in order to create each graphic component on different social media, and you already know how to adjust the dimensions in PowerPoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the right sizes for graphic components on social media?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of the header of a Facebook page or the cover of a LinkedIn profile, for example, as well as the profile image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How many are there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot, and most of all they are constantly changing because socials update at an impressive speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, in order to offer you a constantly updated content through this article, for this section I will rely on my colleagues from Sproutsocial<\/a>, who always keep this information updated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve summarized them here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Facebook<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Facebook<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Twitter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"twitter<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Instagram<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Instagram<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Linkedin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"LinkedIn<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pinterest<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pinterest<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The guys at Sprout also update a file on Google Drive with all the measurements<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>In summary<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The PowerPoint slide sizes are many, and knowing them allows you to significantly expand the use of this tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you used to think of PowerPoint as a tool for creating presentations, now you know that that’s just one of the uses you can make of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can use it to create banners, social media graphics, brochures, and documents of various kinds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By setting up the workspace in the appropriate way, you’ll avoid unnecessary editing and time-consuming content adaptation tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writing this article has given me the opportunity to get into the PowerPoint meanderings that I had never got into before, and I learned something interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is there anything else you would like to explore together?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Get the PDF now!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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