Jigsaw Puzzle Size

When you ask about the jigsaw puzzle size do you mean how many pieces or what is the measurement of the jigsaw puzzle? This is SO common.....kinda like waiting for the turkey to 'unthaw' ;) 

Fear not though....there is no golden rule around this. It just needs further clarification is all. And both issues are required when you are looking at the size of your new jigsaw puzzle.
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So just to be clear this is how we will discuss the 'jigsaw-puzzle-size' issue here;

Pieces

  • number of pieces per jigsaw puzzle
  • size of the pieces in the puzzle

Measurement

  • total size in inches or cm
  • thickness 
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Jigsaw Puzzle Size in Pieces

1. The number of pieces is sometimes associated with the ‘size’ of the jigsaw puzzle. For example; the question is often asked, “What size is it?”  and the answer may be, “it is 1000 pieces”.

The number of pieces may also determine the physical size of the puzzle. Ideally a 2000 piece puzzle is going to measure larger than 1000 pieces and a 3000 piece will be larger than a 2000 piece.

2. But those are not hard stone-cold facts because the actual physical size of the puzzle is going to depend on the size of each jigsaw puzzle piece.  I’ve got a World’s Smallest Jigsaw Puzzle with 1000 pieces and the total physical size is smaller than a regular 1000 piece by measurement.....but then look at the size of the pieces....

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 Educa 1000 piece Leonardo Da Vinci Miniature Mona Lisa Puzzle

Here you can see a 'standard' puzzle piece beside the contents of the 1000 Miniature Mona Lisa jigsaw puzzle.

MasterPieces Route 66 World's Smallest Tin Jigsaw Puzzle, 4-Inch x 8-Inch, 1000-Piece

Here is a closeup sample of the mini or World's smallest jigsaw puzzle pieces compared to a basic piece. Although I must mention that some of the 'random' cut jigsaw puzzle pieces can be quite tiny!

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jigsaw-puzzle-sizeBuffalo Vivid Collection Butterflies
jigsaw-puzzle-sizeCobble Hill Farm Jigsaw Puzzle

Here is a general guide (stated loosely) for children but it is not limited to these numbers because some children develop differently than others. Of course that does not mean as an adult you cannot do these.

Child                  Number of Pieces

Ages 2 - 3          4 to 12 Pieces

Ages 3 - 5          12 to 50 Pieces

Ages 5 - 6          50 to 100 Pieces

Ages 6 - 7          100 to 200 Pieces

Ages 7 - 8          200 Pieces

Ages 8 - 10        300 Pieces

Ages 12+           500+ Pieces

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The Jigsaw Puzzle Size in Measurement

Families most often do 500 pieces and Adults most often do 1000 pieces. There seems to be an ongoing ‘World’s Largest’ competition and almost every year a different company is producing a ‘new’ jigsaw puzzle with more ‘number of pieces’ and larger in physical measurements.

The first thing I do before I even open the box is look for the jigsaw puzzle size in measurements. Then I locate the correct size of board I am going to use. It's good to keep a supply of different sizes in your accessories.   

As seen in the photos above, the number of pieces does not always determine the actual measurements of the assembled jigsaw puzzle.

Take at look at this series of images. It is the M.C. Escher mini-wooden 100 pieces jigsaw puzzle. The pieces are tiny and I used the tweezers to assist with assembly. The size is approximately 2" x 3" in measurements. 

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Basically you could say the only way to determine the 'measurements' is to read what the final individual puzzle is manufactured to be once assembled.

Currently the 'World's Largest' (2016) is the Memorable Disney Moments by Ravensburger at 40,320 pieces and measures 6.80 m by 1.92 m  OR 22 ft 3.72 in by 6 ft 3.59 in. It's divided into 10 bags with each showing one photo from a Disney classic movie.

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Personally, my largest is the Ravensburger New York City Window at 32000 pieces in 8 bags.

It measures 544 x 192 cm (214 x 76 in.). I have yet to start this one :) 

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So to sum it up, just be mindful when you are choosing your jigsaw puzzle size. The number of pieces does not always give a clear measurement of the physical puzzle image ~ look carefully.

You may like these different sizes of jigsaw puzzles.

Seasonal - Halloween Jigsaw Puzzles

Witch's Brew Shaped 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle by SunsOut - Halloween Theme Puzzle
Haunted House - Halloween Themed Puzzle - 1000 pc Jigsaw Puzzle by SunsOut
Little Goblins Halloween Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 Piece
EuroGraphics Old Pumpkin Farm Jigsaw Puzzle (1000-Piece)
SunsOut - Doug Laird - Friends On Halloween - Jigsaw Puzzle - 1000 Pc
Ghostly Gathering Halloween Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 Piece
All Hallows Eve Halloween Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 Piece
Jack-o'-Lanterns Halloween Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 Piece
Bits and Pieces - The Witching Hour - 1000 pc Halloween Jack-o-lanterns Jigsaw by Artist Bonnie White
Bits and Pieces - 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle - All Hallows Barn Dance, Halloween - by Artist Joseph Holodook
Monsters Night Out 1000 pc Jigsaw Puzzle
Haunted House Jigsaw 1000 Piece Puzzle
Trick or Treat Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 Piece
Disney Parks Nightmare Before Christmas Jack Skellington 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Halloween Treats Jigsaw Puzzles 1000 pieces
Jigsaw Puzzle - House of Seven Gables 1000 Pc By Dowdle Folk Art
Ghostly Gathering Halloween Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 Piece
Bits and Pieces - The Haunted House - 1000 pc
Enter If You Dare Jigsaw Puzzle
Halloween Costume Contest 1000 pc Shaped Jigsaw Puzzle by SunsOut
1000 Panoramic Glitter Puzzle
White Mountain Puzzles Jack O Lanterns - 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Halloween Barn Dance Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 Piece
Halloween Costume Contest 1000 pc Jigsaw Puzzle -Halloween Pets theme- by SunsOut