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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. |
So just to be clear this is how we will discuss the 'jigsaw-puzzle-size' issue here;
Pieces
Measurement
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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Here you can see a 'standard' puzzle piece beside the contents of the 1000 Miniature Mona Lisa jigsaw puzzle. |
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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! ![]() |
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
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. |
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