Choosing a canvas size is the single biggest decision when you buy a diamond painting kit, and it decides how many hours you spend, how much detail you get and where the finished piece can hang. This guide is for first-time buyers, gift givers and anyone who has finished a small kit and wants to go bigger. You will get a size chart with inches, drill counts and realistic hours, plus a clear answer on which size suits which project.
Every kit ships free worldwide with a velvet canvas, AB drills and all the tools, in sizes from 20 x 25 cm up to 90 x 120 cm.
Browse all kitsDiamond painting size chart
All of our kits use the same rule of thumb: about 16 drills per square centimeter. Multiply width by height by 16 and you have the drill count. Hours assume a steady pace, and they scale from the 30 x 40 cm kit, which takes roughly 10 to 15 hours.
| Size | In inches | Approx. drills | Approx. hours | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 x 25 cm | 7.9 x 9.8 in | 8,000 | 4 to 6 hours | Beginner, desk piece, quick gift |
| 25 x 30 cm | 9.8 x 11.8 in | 12,000 | 6 to 9 hours | Beginner, small gift, first kit |
| 30 x 40 cm | 11.8 x 15.7 in | 19,200 | 10 to 15 hours | Best all-round size, simple scenes |
| 40 x 50 cm | 15.7 x 19.7 in | 32,000 | 17 to 25 hours | Portraits, pets, detailed scenes |
| 45 x 60 cm | 17.7 x 23.6 in | 43,200 | 23 to 34 hours | Portraits with background, wall art |
| 60 x 80 cm | 23.6 x 31.5 in | 76,800 | 40 to 60 hours | Wall statement, long project |
| 80 x 100 cm | 31.5 x 39.4 in | 128,000 | 67 to 100 hours | Large statement piece |
| 90 x 120 cm | 35.4 x 47.2 in | 172,800 | 90 to 135 hours | Centerpiece for experienced stitchers |
Drill counts are approximate because the printed area of each design differs slightly. Hours depend on your pace, the drill shape and how much of the design is a single color.
How size changes drill count and time
Size grows faster than most people expect. Going from 30 x 40 cm to 60 x 80 cm doubles both sides, but it quadruples the drill count, from about 19,200 to about 76,800. A kit that takes a weekend at one size can take a month at the next.
Here is a simple way to plan:
- Work out how many hours a week you realistically sit down with it.
- Divide the hours in the chart by that number to get a finish time in weeks.
- Add a few weeks if the design has lots of tiny color changes.
Square drills give a crisp mosaic look and sharper detail. Round drills are quicker to place and add more sparkle. Most designs come in both, so you can pick the one that fits your pace.
Best size for beginners
For a first kit, 25 x 30 cm or 30 x 40 cm is the sweet spot. Both finish quickly enough to feel rewarding, and both are large enough that you learn the rhythm of picking up and placing drills. If you are unsure you will enjoy the craft, start with 20 x 25 cm and treat it as a trial run.
Pick a design with big blocks of color, such as a landscape, an animal or a still life. Those scenes keep you from hunting for symbols every few drills. Here are two small kits that suit a first project:
Both are available from 20 x 25 cm, and the same designs scale up to 90 x 120 cm when you want a bigger challenge later. New to the craft? Our ultimate guide covers the whole process from opening the box.
Why faces need 40 x 50 cm or more
A face is made of subtle shade changes: the shadow beside a nose, the curve of a lip, the highlight in an eye. Each drill is a single color and about 2.5 mm wide, so a small canvas has very few drills to describe each feature. On 20 x 25 cm, an eye may be only a handful of drills across, and it looks blocky.
At 40 x 50 cm you have 32,000 drills to work with. That is enough room for smooth gradients, readable expressions and fine details such as eyelashes or whiskers. For portraits with a visible background, 45 x 60 cm gives even more breathing room.
- Single pet face or head and shoulders: 40 x 50 cm minimum.
- Couple or small group: 45 x 60 cm or larger.
- Full family photo: 60 x 80 cm so every face keeps enough drills.
Best size for a gift
For a gift, think about how much time the person has. A keen crafter will happily take on 40 x 50 cm, while someone who has never tried diamond painting will enjoy a 25 x 30 cm or 30 x 40 cm kit far more. A finished small piece is a better present than a big one that sits unfinished in a cupboard.
Gifts that tend to land well:
- Beginner or someone with limited free time: 25 x 30 cm.
- Relaxed weekend hobbyist: 30 x 40 cm.
- Pet lover: a custom kit from a favorite photo at 40 x 50 cm.
Orders are processed in 2 to 3 business days and ship free with tracking. Typical delivery is 12 to 20 days to the USA, 14 to 20 to Canada, 14 to 25 to the UK and 13 to 20 to Australia, so order early for a deadline. Kits larger than 30 x 40 cm ship in a box.
Large sizes as a wall statement
Once you have finished a medium kit, a large canvas becomes a project you can be proud of. A 60 x 80 cm piece fills a wall above a sofa or bed, and 80 x 100 cm or 90 x 120 cm becomes the focal point of a room. Plan the time honestly: 60 hours or more is a long haul, so many people work on it a few evenings a week over a couple of months.
Large canvases need a clean, flat table and a good storage plan for the rolled or flat canvas. Work in sections and keep the film covering the unfinished area so the poured glue stays fresh. These large kits are popular choices:
Both designs are available up to 90 x 120 cm. A wooden frame in the matching size finishes the piece, and our framing guide shows how to mount it.
Matching size to your table and wall
Measure two places before you buy: the surface where you will work and the wall where the piece will hang. The canvas needs a flat area at least as large as the printed size, plus room for trays and tools. A 60 x 80 cm canvas needs a table of about 70 x 90 cm to be comfortable.
For hanging, add a few centimeters for a frame border. A 40 x 50 cm painting in a standard frame sits nicely over a desk or a dresser, while 60 x 80 cm suits a sofa wall. If you plan to frame, check the frame size options before you pick the canvas.
Choosing a size for a custom kit
A custom kit turns any photo into a diamond painting, so the size depends on how much is in the picture. Close-up portraits and pets work from 40 x 50 cm. Wide scenes and group shots need 45 x 60 cm or more. Every order gets a free design preview before printing, so you can check the crop and the detail first.
Our custom kit has 917 reviews averaging 4.9, and starts from $20.95. Custom orders are processed in 3 to 5 business days. Learn more in our custom diamond painting guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best size diamond painting for a beginner?
25 x 30 cm or 30 x 40 cm. Both finish in under 15 hours and give you enough room to learn without feeling endless. If you want the gentlest start, choose 20 x 25 cm.
How many drills are in a 30 x 40 cm diamond painting?
About 19,200, based on 16 drills per square centimeter. Most people finish this size in roughly 10 to 15 hours.
How long does a 40 x 50 cm diamond painting take?
Roughly 17 to 25 hours. That is about 32,000 drills, so many people spread it over two to four weeks of evenings.
What size do I need for a portrait or pet photo?
40 x 50 cm or larger. Smaller canvases do not have enough drills to show eyes, noses and fur detail clearly.
Are bigger kits harder?
They are not harder, just longer. The technique is the same at every size, but the hours multiply quickly as the canvas grows.
How do I know what size my wall can take?
Measure the wall and subtract a few centimeters for a frame border. As a guide, 40 x 50 cm suits a desk or shelf wall, and 60 x 80 cm suits a sofa wall.
Ready to pick your size
Start with the size that matches your time, then choose square or round drills. Buy 2 kits and save 10%, or buy 3 and save 15%, applied automatically at checkout.
Pick your size, choose square or round drills and get free worldwide shipping.
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