When you plan to make the presentation in PowerPoint, one major concern you may have is what the perfect size is for all your slides. Don’t you agree, right?
Whether you’re an educator, public speaker, or professional, it’s highly important to understand the size and optimal slide dimensions as they leave an impression on the overall presentation.
Picking the correct size, no doubt, helps it look flawless and polished and ensures that everything is properly displayed, no matter what projector or screen you use.
Are you confused about the PPT dimensions and PowerPoint Slide sizes? Have a look below to know all the essential details about it!
What is the Standard Size of a PowerPoint Slide?
When you make a new PPT presentation, the size of your slides is set as Widescreen by default with an approximately 16:9 aspect ratio.
However, you might want it to fit an overhead projector, an old monitor, or a mobile screen sometimes. So, in this case, you can also choose different sizes.
Here is the standard size of a normal PowerPoint slide:
● Standard (4:3)
This specific preset provides the original dimensions and size used by Google Slides and earlier versions of Microsoft PowerPoint. As it was made for square monitors particularly, it does not really go well with displays that are wide, but it is still available in case someone needs it.
Normally, the 4:3 aspect ratio dimensions are 1280 by 960 and 1024 by 768 pixels.
● Widescreen (16:9)
It is the default size for blank PowerPoint slides. This preset fits TV screens and modern computers, which makes it one of the most widely used sizes of slides for different presentations.
In general, its 16:9 aspect ratio dimensions are 1920 by 1080 and 1280 by 720 pixels.
● Custom Slide Size
Looking for additional presents like 35mm slides, letter size, or unique, exact PPT slide dimensions? If that is so, you can choose the option of Custom Slide Size. After that, utilize the dropdown list to choose the custom or present, and then enter the width and height of the slide.
The Impact of Slide Size on Different Scenarios
Working with PPT slides of the correct and suitable size is like building the main foundation before constructing a home. So, it’s always wise to define its size according to your current scenario.
But how can you identify which size is ideal in a specific setting? Well, you need to analyze where you will be present first and then make a decision.
For example, if it is an online meeting or a modern conference, opt for 16:9. On the other hand, 4:3 mostly works better for printed handouts or older projectors.
And if you have a doubt or condition, make sure you ask your venue about the specifications of their screen. It just takes two quick minutes to send them an email.
This way, you can save time for fixing the slides later, as you’ll already have yourself prepared and will make adjustments according to your industry needs and equipment.
When in doubt, ask your venue about their screen specs – it takes two minutes to email them and saves hours of fixing stretched slides later.
The size of your slides also showcases your professionalism. This is because when you choose a size carefully, it enhances your presentation’s visual appearance, preventing empty spaces and cut-offs.
What’s more, adjusting the slide sizes enables you to open your presentation everywhere and on all kinds of screens like iPads, projectors, and monitors, which means your content is optimized.
As a result, distractions are avoided to a great extent, and the audience finds it appealing while understanding your message without any kind of visual glitches, enhancing the overall impact.
How to Check PowerPoint Slide Sizes?
Are you struggling to use PowerPoint properly as a newcomer and unable to check the size? Well, hold on! It only includes a few simple steps, and you are good to go.
Step 1. Open PowerPoint Presentation: Launch your PPT and open a particular presentation you currently want to check.
Step 2. Click on the “Design” tab: You will find the design tab in the top menu of the screen, so click on that tab now once you find it.
Step 3. Locate & Click on Slide Size: Now, it’s time to find the option “Slide Size” within the group “Customize.” It is usually present on the Design tab’s right side.
Step 4. View Slide Size: Your slide’s current size will be revealed in the front dropdown menu. There, you can also see options such as “Widescreen (16:9)” or “Standard (4:3)”.
Step 5. Check Custom Slide Dimensions: This step is optional if you also want to verify the dimensions in pixels. In the dropdown menu, press “Custom Slide Size,” and a dialogue box will appear containing the dimensions.
How to Change Slide Size in PowerPoint
When you are ready to modify the current size of your slide, you only need to follow some straightforward steps. Let’s look at how to change dimensions of PPT slide:
- Go to the Design tab in PowerPoint with your current slideshow open.
- From the ribbon, click on the Slide Size menu, select the Widescreen or Standard preset, or simply select Custom Slide Size if you want. You can also enter dimensions by typing.
- There, you will see a small prompt asking you how you want to adjust the content. You can either scale the slide content or maximize it to fit your preference.
After that, your presentation will be updated properly with your newly selected slide size.
Even if you’re not satisfied with the new size, it is also possible to reverse this modification by going to the Quick Access Toolbar and clicking “Undo”.
Otherwise, you can simply follow all the steps mentioned above to choose the previous size.
What Are the Dimensions of a PowerPoint Slide in Pixels?
Dimensions of a PowerPoint slide refer to the number of pixels in the height and width of your current slide. Generally, this measurement indicates the quality and resolution of your text and images within the specified slide size.
For instance:
- 1920 x 1080 pixels:For an aspect ratio of 16:9, it is a very common and widely used dimension, also called Full HD. It gives detail and clarity to slides, making it ideal for high-resolution displays and big screens.
- 1024 x 768 pixels:It matches the aspect ratio of 4:3 and is mostly used for lower-resolution displays or smaller screens. It is often less detailed compared to 1920 x 1080, but can definitely be effective for older projects or printouts.
In short, selecting the right dimensions depends on where and how you are planning to preset. Higher resolutions look good on modern displays, while lower ones may work better for printing.
Other Tools to Adjust Slide Size
If you feel uneasy using PowerPoint’s feature, there’s always an option to switch to something easier and quicker. Yes, you read that right!
Let’s look at what other tools you can try to adjust the size of your slides:
1) Google Slides
It is a very good alternative option that is both user-friendly and free. To set custom PPT dimensions in inches, simply click on ‘File’ from the Page Setup option.
2) Canva
Canva is not only ideal for Instagram logos and posts, but it also helps with beautiful presentations. It also allows users to set custom dimensions from the beginning for control.
3) Prezi
Another tool you can consider is Prezi, which gives your PPT slides a more dynamic look. It lets users adjust the layout as per their preferences to fit their unique style.
4) Keynote
Are you a Mac user? If yes, Keynote can be your best bet. With this tool, you can modify the size of your slides effortlessly by going to Document > Slide Size.
So yes, PowerPoint is not the only tool in the market, and you always have the option to switch to other options for a hassle-free experience and complete control over size matters.
How to Make Beautiful Presentations with TeraBox AI?
If you find it a hard nut to crack to achieve the best size and design using PowerPoint, you also have some outstanding options out there, like AI presentation makers.
And when we talk about these kinds of software, Tera AI truly stands out as it is trusted by more than 400 million users all across the world. Astonishing, isn’t it?
Remember that this is the digital age, and AI has made everything so convenient for everyone as compared to traditional tools that are time-consuming and frustrating.
Follow the steps below if you want to make awe-inspiring presentations with this tool:
Step 01:
Visit the official website of TeraBox using your phone or computer.
Step 02:
Enter your current topic and requirements in the form of a prompt. Also, choose the language & number of slides.
Step 03:
Sign in or sign up. Once done, this tool will generate a perfect outline for you. You can review the outline and edit it if needed at any time.
Step 04:
Now, press “Generate Presentation” so you can get a variety of appealing layout options.
Step 05:
Pick the style of your preference from that list, and then click on the button “Generate”.
Step 06:
That’s it! You have your presentation ready, and now you can review it thoroughly and download it whenever you want.
Conclusion
If your audience views your presentation as an uncomfortable and unconventional display, there’s no point in doing all the hard work preparing it, as everything will go in vain.
Hence, it is super crucial to adjust the size of the slides so that they perfectly fit the projector or monitor screen and appeal to the audience. No distortions or distractions!
Always keep your platform, presentation purpose, and audience in mind while adjusting the size. Plus, experiment with different formats and PPT dimensions to see what works for you.
If you’re still unsure, consider using Tera AI Presentation Maker to achieve the ideal size.
FAQs
Q1. How do you change the size of a PowerPoint slide without distortion?
One can avoid distortion with just a simple setting. While selecting the new size, make sure you select “Ensure Fit,” and all the slide elements will be scaled without skewing.
Q2. Why is the PowerPoint slide sizes too large?
If you try to share or send your PPT slideshow, you might face challenges if the file size is extremely large. In this case, it’s better to compress the slideshow to reduce its size and share it properly.
Q3. How do you format PowerPoint slides?
It’s pretty simple. You can use different slide layouts in PPT. To change the layout, go to the Home tab, utilize its Slide Layout menu, and choose a new one yourself.