Art ScannerHow to price your art by size
Multiply the area in square inches by a rate for your skill level, then adjust for size, surface and frame. A 40 × 50 cm acrylic on canvas at the Confident level comes out at $260–$410.
The formula, worked out
40 × 50 cm acrylic on canvas, unframed, Confident level.
- Area310 sq in40 × 50 cm ÷ 2.54²
- Rate$1.13Confident, middle of band
- Size adjustment0.94big pieces a bit lower
- Surface, frame1.0paper 0.65, frame 1.15
- Starting price$260–$41080% to 125% of $327
Art pricing calculator
Same formula as the Art Scanner app. Pick size, surface and level.
| Direct sale | you keep $260–$410 |
| Etsy | you keep $230–$370 |
| eBay | you keep $220–$350 |
| Online gallery | you keep $160–$250 |
| Local gallery | you keep $130–$210 |
Common canvas sizes, to scale
| Size | Developing | Confident | Polished |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 × 10 in | $40–$65 | $85–$130 | $170–$260 |
| 11 × 14 in | $70–$110 | $140–$230 | $290–$450 |
| 12 × 16 in | $85–$130 | $170–$270 | $350–$540 |
| 16 × 20 in | $130–$210 | $270–$420 | $540–$840 |
| 18 × 24 in | $170–$260 | $350–$540 | $690–$1,100 |
| 24 × 36 in | $310–$480 | $620–$980 | $1,250–$1,950 |
| 30 × 40 in | $400–$630 | $830–$1,300 | $1,650–$2,600 |
What you keep from $260–$410
Etsy about 9.5% + $0.45, eBay 13.6% + $0.40, galleries 40% online and 50% local (typical). Full breakdown: Etsy vs eBay for selling art. Prints and commissions: price sheet by size.
Questions
How much should I charge per square inch for a painting?
A practical starting rate is about $0.35–$0.75 per square inch if you are developing, $0.75–$1.50 if you are confident, and $1.50–$3.00 if your work is polished. Larger pieces get a slightly lower rate per square inch so the total stays realistic.
How should a beginner price their art?
Start at the low end of the Developing band, price by size so your prices stay consistent, and raise them 10–25% once pieces start to sell. Consistent pricing by size is easier for buyers to trust than pricing each piece by feel.
Do paintings on paper sell for less?
Usually, yes. Works on paper are typically priced lower than the same size on canvas or panel; the calculator uses 65% of the canvas price for paper.
Is this an appraisal?
No. It is a suggested starting price for your own original work, based on size, surface and skill level. It does not appraise older or inherited art.
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