Sign Letter Height Chart and Viewing Distance Calculator
How tall should the letters on your sign be? Enter how far away your customers will be, or how fast they drive past, and get a letter height in seconds. The math follows the United States Sign Council guideline, and it is the same check we run on every sign we build in Linden for businesses across New Jersey.
Capital letter height, clear font, strong contrast. All caps copy reads best about 15 percent larger.
Sign Letter Height vs Viewing Distance Chart
Capital letter height in inches. Distances are a starting point for clear fonts with strong contrast in good light.
| Letter height | Best impact up to | Readable up to | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 10 ft | 30 ft | Door and room signs |
| 2 in | 20 ft | 60 ft | Name plates, directories |
| 3 in | 30 ft | 90 ft | Window decals, A frames |
| 4 in | 40 ft | 120 ft | Lobby letters |
| 6 in | 60 ft | 180 ft | Lobby logos, blade signs |
| 8 in | 80 ft | 240 ft | Small storefronts |
| 10 in | 100 ft | 300 ft | Storefront sign bands |
| 12 in | 120 ft | 360 ft | Channel letters |
| 15 in | 150 ft | 450 ft | Channel letters |
| 18 in | 180 ft | 540 ft | Large storefronts |
| 24 in | 240 ft | 720 ft | Building letters |
| 30 in | 300 ft | 900 ft | Plazas and roadside |
| 36 in | 360 ft | 1,080 ft | Building tops |
| 48 in | 480 ft | 1,440 ft | Large building signs |
Readable distance uses the United States Sign Council legibility index of about 30 feet per inch. Best impact uses the 10 feet per inch rule sign makers use for quick recognition. Real results change with font, color, lighting and the setting.
How to Pick the Right Letter Height for Your Sign
Start with the distance, then adjust for the things that make a sign harder to read.
Smallest that reads
About 30 feet of distance for every inch of capital letter height. People can read it if they look for it.
Best impact
About 10 feet per inch. The sign is read at a glance, which is what a storefront needs.
All capital letters
Words in all caps read slower than upper and lower case, so size them about 15 percent bigger.
Sign Letter Size FAQs
Quick answers on how big sign letters need to be.
How big should letters be on a sign to be read from 100 feet?
About 3.5 inches is the smallest that reads at 100 feet with a clear font and strong contrast. For a sign that stands out at 100 feet, plan about 10 inches.
What is the rule for sign letter height and distance?
Two rules are common. The United States Sign Council legibility index is about 30 feet of reading distance per inch of capital letter height. Sign makers also use about 10 feet per inch for a sign with real impact.
How tall should channel letters be on a storefront?
Most storefront channel letters run 10 to 24 inches, depending on how far back the street is and the sign band size your landlord and town allow. See channel letters.
Do all caps need bigger letters?
Yes. Words in all capitals are harder to read than upper and lower case, so the USSC suggests about 15 percent more letter height for all caps.
What letter size do ADA signs need?
ADA tactile characters have their own size range based on the 2010 ADA Standards, separate from this chart. See our ADA signs page.
Can my town limit how big my sign is?
Yes. Most New Jersey towns cap sign area, and NYC has its own rules. Check before you size the letters. Our sign permit guide explains how.
Have a Technical Question?
Reach out to our product specialist. We will make sure you get the right help and guide you with our best knowledge, whether it is letter size, materials, lighting or permits. We help businesses across New Jersey and in all five boroughs; see our NYC service area.