What Size Is Keynote to Powerpoint? Let’s Find Out

With all their similarities, you’d think Keynote and PowerPoint slides would be interchangeable. But once you start converting presentations between the two programs, you quickly hit a snag – the slide sizes don’t quite match up! Keynote and PowerPoint are both popular presentation software, but they use different default slide sizes. This can cause formatting issues when converting presentations between the two programs. 

What’s behind this confusing slide-size enigma? Let’s lift the curtain on the key differences between Keynote and PowerPoint to solve this mystery once and for all.

Basics: Pixels vs. Inches

The key difference between Keynote and PowerPoint slide sizes is the unit of measurement –

• Keynote uses pixels for slide dimensions. The default is 1024 x 768 px.
• PowerPoint uses inches. The default is 10″ x 7.5″ or 13.33″ diagonally.

This means presentations imported from one program to the other will see the dimensions converted.

Digging Deeper: Aspect Ratios

Both Keynote and PowerPoint provide standard 4:3 and widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio options. However, the exact dimensions differ –

• Keynote’s 4:3 is 1024 x 768 px and its 16:9 is 1280 x 720 px.
• PowerPoint’s 4:3 is 10″ x 7.5″ and its 16:9 is 13.33″ x 7.5″.

Tip: Standardizing on 720p (1280 x 720) or 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolutions can help align widescreen presentations between the two programs.

Custom Slide Sizes

Need a non-standard slide size for a unique presentation? Both programs allow custom sizes with some variances –

• Keynote: 500 x 500 px minimum up to 1920 x 1200 px max.
• PowerPoint: On-screen show (4:3) up to widescreen (16:9) with inch increments.

Tip: Keynote’s wider pixel range provides more customization options for non-standard resolutions.

Maintaining Consistency During Conversion

When importing slides between Keynote and PowerPoint, here are some tips to maintain consistency –

• Check alignments and positions of objects. Things may shift slightly during the size conversion.
• Resize fonts or other elements as needed. 12pt font may not look the same pixel-to-inch.
• Reformat charts or graphs. The aspect ratio change can distort data visualization.
• Consider regenerating high-res images. Lower-resolution graphics become pixelated.

Key Takeaway

Plan for some reformatting when converting to maintain the original look. The differences between Keynote’s pixels and PowerPoint’s inches mean slide sizes can get skewed during conversions. By understanding the options and planning ahead, you can minimize any sizing inconsistencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the default sizes different if they are both 4:3 ratio?

The 4:3 ratio is the same, but Keynote uses a smaller dimension in pixels while PowerPoint uses larger inch measurements. This means the overall slide area is different.

How can I tell which dimensions Keynote uses for its preset sizes?

Keynote’s presets include 1024 x 768 px (4:3), 1280 x 720 px (16:9), 1280 x 960 px (4:3 HD), and 1920 x 1200 px (16:10).

What if I want a custom size not in the presets?

Both programs allow fully custom sizes. Keynote can be 500 x 500 px to 1920 x 1200 px. PowerPoint ranges from on-screen 4:3 up to 16:9 widescreen.

End Note

While the preferred slide size units differ between Keynote and PowerPoint, understanding the discrepancy is the first step in overcoming conversion challenges. With the right preparation, you can successfully collaborate and share presentations between the two platforms. The core information stays the same – you just need to fine-tune the formatting.