Bronze Plaque Sizes

The size of a bronze plaque decides almost everything else: what it costs, how many words it can carry, whether the cemetery or park will accept it, and how it looks on the stone or wall it is fixed to. This guide lists the standard bronze plaque sizes used across the USA, the price each size shows in our online designer, and a simple way to work out how much text a given size will hold before you start designing.

Standard bronze plaque sizes and what they are used for

There is no single standard size for a bronze plaque, but a handful of sizes come up again and again because cemeteries, park programs and architects have settled on them. The table shows the sizes our customers order most, the setting each one usually belongs to, and the price our designer gives for a standard rectangle with a classic border and leatherette background. Shipping is included in every price.

Our designer accepts any size between these, from a minimum height of 2 3/8 inches up to a maximum of 22 1/16 inches wide by 15 3/4 inches tall. If a cemetery or program gives you a size that is not in the table, type it in and the price appears. Plaques larger than the designer’s maximum, such as a 24 by 12 inch flat marker or a 24 by 36 inch wall panel, are quoted by our team on request.

How much text fits on each size

Raised bronze letters need room to be read, so a plaque’s size sets a practical limit on its words. A quarter inch letter height is the smallest most cemeteries and park programs accept, and at that height a plaque fits about three to four characters per inch of width. Two rules of thumb give a quick estimate before you design:

• Characters per size: a 6 by 4 inch plaque comfortably holds 40 to 60 characters over three lines; an 8 by 6 holds 80 to 120 over four or five lines; a 12 by 8 holds 150 to 200 over six lines; a 16 by 12 holds 250 to 350; a 22 by 15 holds 400 or more, enough for a historical marker paragraph.
• Square inch method: count every letter, number and space in your wording and divide by four. The result is roughly the number of square inches the plaque needs at a quarter inch letter height. A 160 character inscription needs about 40 square inches, so an 8 by 5 or a 10 by 4 plaque.

Names and dates are usually set larger than the rest, which uses more room than the count suggests, and a motif, emblem or photo takes the space of about two lines. The designer shows your wording at true scale as you type, so you will see at once if a line runs tight. When it does, you have three choices: shorten the words, drop the letter height one step, or go up one size. Our memorial plaque wording guide has examples of inscriptions that read well in three, five and seven lines.

Sizes cemeteries and programs ask for

Where a plaque is going often decides its size for you, so check the rules before you design.

• Grave markers: cemeteries that allow flat bronze markers commonly specify 24 by 12 inches for a single grave and a wider size for a companion marker, mounted on a granite base. These are quoted by our team. Many lawn sections also accept a 12 by 8 or 16 by 12 inch plaque, which the designer prices on the spot. See our bronze grave markers page for the base and mounting requirements.
• Headstone plates: a name, date or portrait plate added to an existing granite headstone is usually 6 by 4 to 8 by 6 inches, sized to the free space on the stone.
• Columbarium niches: niche fronts are often 10 by 10, 12 by 12 or 12 by 8 inches, and the cemetery will tell you the exact opening. Our columbarium niche plaques page explains the measurements to take.
• Park benches: programs specify sizes such as 2 by 10, 4 by 6 and 8 by 5 inches, and private benches commonly take 8 by 3 or 10 by 3. Details are on our memorial bench plaques page.
• Memorial trees: there is no national rule, so 4 by 8 and 5 by 8 inch portrait plaques on a stake or low post are typical. See memorial tree plaques.
• Buildings: dedication plaques run from 12 by 8 inches at a doorway to 18 by 24 inches in a lobby. The larger end is quoted on request. Our building dedication plaques page covers wording order and mounting.

Thickness, shape and proportions

Our cast bronze plaques are cast as a solid slab with a raised rim and raised lettering, to the thickness cemeteries and park programs specify; tell us the rule and we match it. The designer offers rectangles in landscape or portrait, ovals in both orientations, and circles. A landscape rectangle fits the most text; a portrait rectangle suits a tree plaque, a tall niche front or a long list of names; an oval or circle softens a memorial in a garden or on a headstone but holds about a third less wording than a rectangle of the same width. Standard proportions such as 3:2 (12 by 8, 6 by 4) and 4:3 (8 by 6, 16 by 12) look balanced on a granite base and on a wall, so when nobody has given you a size, start there.

Choosing a size: three quick checks

1. Ask the site first. A cemetery office, parks department or building owner usually has a written size rule. Getting it in writing saves a plaque being refused.
2. Measure the space, then subtract a margin. A plaque on a headstone or niche front should leave at least an inch of stone showing around it; a plaque on a bench rail needs to clear the slats and bolts.
3. Write the wording before you fix the size. Use the character guide above, type the text into the designer, and let the preview tell you whether to go one size up.

If you are unsure, our design team will look at a photo of the spot and recommend a size at no charge. Ask through the contact page or the Quick Enquiry button in the designer.

How to order

1. Open the free design tool, pick the shape and set the size in inches. The price updates as you go.
2. Add the wording, choose a border and background, and add an emblem, motif or photo if you want one.
3. Pick the fastening: flat back, concealed lugs with studs, or screws visible from the front.
4. Save the design and order it from My Account. We send a written proof, and nothing is cast until you approve it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most common bronze plaque size?

For memorials on a granite base, 12 by 8 inches is the most ordered size in our designer, and 8 by 6 is the most common for garden and wall memorials. Benches use slim sizes such as 8 by 3 or 10 by 3, and headstone plates are usually 6 by 4 or 8 by 4.

What is the smallest and largest bronze plaque you make?

The online designer makes plaques from 2 3/8 inches tall up to 22 1/16 by 15 3/4 inches. Smaller name plates and larger panels, including 24 by 12 inch flat grave markers, are quoted by our team on request.

How many words fit on a bronze plaque?

At a quarter inch letter height, allow three to four characters per inch of width. A 6 by 4 plaque holds about 40 to 60 characters, an 8 by 6 about 80 to 120 and a 12 by 8 about 150 to 200. The designer shows the wording at true scale so you can check before ordering.

Does the price change with size?

Yes. Size is the main driver of price. In our designer a 6 by 4 inch plaque is $382.98, a 12 by 8 is $796.86 and a 22 by 15 is $1,908.50, shipping included. Border, background and fastening options change the price slightly, and the total updates as you design.

How long does it take?

Allow about 3 to 4 weeks for casting after you approve the free proof, plus 5 to 10 days for delivery anywhere in the USA and worldwide.