Quick answer: The most common frame sizes are 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 11×14, 16×20, 18×24 and 24×36 in. In metric: 13×18, 20×25, 30×40, 40×50 and 50×70 cm, plus A4 (21×29.7 cm) and A3 (29.7×42 cm). Framing with a mat? Go up a size: an 8×10 print fits an 11×14 frame with a mat, and an A4 print a 30×40 cm frame.
Standard Picture Frame Sizes (Inches)
In the US and Canada, frames are sold by the size of the picture they hold, in inches. A “16×20 frame” holds a 16 × 20 in print or mat; the outside of the frame is bigger.
| Frame size | In cm | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 6 in | 10.2 × 15.2 cm | Standard photo print |
| 5 × 7 in | 12.7 × 17.8 cm | Photos, greeting cards, 4×6 with a narrow mat |
| 8 × 10 in | 20.3 × 25.4 cm | Portraits, small art prints, 5×7 with a mat |
| 8.5 × 11 in | 21.6 × 27.9 cm | US Letter documents and certificates |
| 11 × 14 in | 27.9 × 35.6 cm | Art prints, 8×10 with a mat |
| 11 × 17 in | 27.9 × 43.2 cm | Tabloid prints and small posters |
| 12 × 12 in | 30.5 × 30.5 cm | Square photos and prints |
| 12 × 16 in | 30.5 × 40.6 cm | Art prints |
| 16 × 20 in | 40.6 × 50.8 cm | Art prints, 11×14 or 12×16 with a mat |
| 18 × 24 in | 45.7 × 61.0 cm | Posters and art prints |
| 20 × 24 in | 50.8 × 61.0 cm | 16×20 with a mat |
| 24 × 36 in | 61.0 × 91.4 cm | Standard large poster |
| 27 × 40 in | 68.6 × 101.6 cm | Movie posters (one-sheet) |
Metric Picture Frame Sizes (cm)
In Australia, the UK and Europe, frames are sold in centimeters. Some are close to US sizes without matching them: a 20 × 25 cm frame is about 7.9 × 9.8 in, a little smaller than 8 × 10 in, so check before buying a frame for a US print.
| Frame size | In inches | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 15 cm | 3.9 × 5.9 in | Standard photo print |
| 13 × 18 cm | 5.1 × 7.1 in | Photos and cards |
| 15 × 20 cm | 5.9 × 7.9 in | Photos |
| 18 × 24 cm | 7.1 × 9.4 in | Small prints, 13×18 with a mat |
| 20 × 25 cm | 7.9 × 9.8 in | Close to 8×10 in, but slightly smaller |
| 20 × 30 cm | 7.9 × 11.8 in | Photos and prints |
| 24 × 30 cm | 9.4 × 11.8 in | Prints, 18×24 cm with a mat |
| 30 × 40 cm | 11.8 × 15.7 in | Prints, A4 or 20×30 cm with a mat |
| 40 × 50 cm | 15.7 × 19.7 in | Prints, A3 or 30×40 cm with a mat |
| 50 × 70 cm | 19.7 × 27.6 in | Posters, A2 with a mat |
| 60 × 80 cm | 23.6 × 31.5 in | Large prints, 50×70 with a mat |
| 70 × 100 cm | 27.6 × 39.4 in | Large posters, A1 with a mat |
A-Size Frames: A4, A3, A2, A1 and A0
A-sizes are the international paper sizes used for documents, certificates and many art prints outside North America. Each size is half the one above it and they all share the same shape (1 : 1.41), so an A3 print scales exactly to A2 or A4.
| Size | Millimeters | Inches | Frame with a mat |
|---|---|---|---|
| A5 | 148 × 210 mm | 5.8 × 8.3 in | A4 frame with a mat |
| A4 | 210 × 297 mm | 8.3 × 11.7 in | 30 × 40 cm |
| A3 | 297 × 420 mm | 11.7 × 16.5 in | 40 × 50 cm |
| A2 | 420 × 594 mm | 16.5 × 23.4 in | 50 × 70 cm |
| A1 | 594 × 841 mm | 23.4 × 33.1 in | 70 × 100 cm |
| A0 | 841 × 1189 mm | 33.1 × 46.8 in | Usually framed to fit, without a mat |
A-size frames are also sold to fit the print exactly, without a mat.
What Size Frame Do I Need for My Print?
Without a mat, buy a frame the same size as the print. With a mat, go up a size: frame size = print size + 2 × the mat border. These are the standard combinations ready-made frames and mats follow.
| Print size | Frame with a mat | Mat opening |
|---|---|---|
| Inches | ||
| 4 × 6 in | 5 × 7 in | 3½ × 5½ in |
| 5 × 7 in | 8 × 10 in | 4½ × 6½ in |
| 8 × 10 in | 11 × 14 in | 7½ × 9½ in |
| 8½ × 11 in (Letter) | 11 × 14 in | 8 × 10½ in |
| 11 × 14 in | 16 × 20 in | 10½ × 13½ in |
| 12 × 16 in | 16 × 20 in | 11½ × 15½ in |
| 16 × 20 in | 20 × 24 in | 15½ × 19½ in |
| 18 × 24 in | 24 × 30 in | 17½ × 23½ in |
| Metric and A-sizes | ||
| 13 × 18 cm | 20 × 25 cm | 12.4 × 17.4 cm |
| 20 × 30 cm | 30 × 40 cm | 19.4 × 29.4 cm |
| A4 (21 × 29.7 cm) | 30 × 40 cm | 20.4 × 29.1 cm |
| A3 (29.7 × 42 cm) | 40 × 50 cm | 29.1 × 41.4 cm |
| 30 × 40 cm | 40 × 50 cm | 29.4 × 39.4 cm |
| A2 (42 × 59.4 cm) | 50 × 70 cm | 41.4 × 58.8 cm |
| 50 × 70 cm | 60 × 80 cm | 49.4 × 69.4 cm |
| A1 (59.4 × 84.1 cm) | 70 × 100 cm | 58.8 × 83.5 cm |
The mat opening is cut slightly smaller than the print so the mat holds it in place: about ¼ in on each side for inch sizes and 3 mm for metric. Custom mats are often cut tighter, about ⅛ in (3 mm) a side.
Size-by-size guides: 8×10 print · 11×14 print · 16×20 print · 18×24 print · A4 print · A3 print
Poster Frame Sizes
| Poster | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small poster | 11 × 17 in (28 × 43 cm) | Tabloid paper size |
| Medium poster | 18 × 24 in (46 × 61 cm) | Common art and event poster |
| Large poster | 24 × 36 in (61 × 91 cm) | The standard US poster |
| Movie poster | 27 × 40 in (69 × 102 cm) | Theatrical one-sheet |
| European poster | 50 × 70 cm (19.7 × 27.6 in) | Common in Europe and Australia |
| Large European poster | 70 × 100 cm (27.6 × 39.4 in) | Exhibition posters |
| A2 and A1 posters | 42 × 59.4 and 59.4 × 84.1 cm | Print shops worldwide |
Posters are usually framed edge to edge, without a mat, in a frame the same size as the poster.
Why Your Photo Doesn't Fit the Frame
Frame sizes come in different shapes (aspect ratios), and a print only fits without cropping if its shape matches the frame.
| Sizes | Shape | What fits without cropping |
|---|---|---|
| 4×6, 8×12 in; 10×15, 20×30 cm | 2 : 3 | Most camera photos |
| 8×10, 16×20 in | 4 : 5 | Crops about 17% off the long side of a camera photo |
| 5×7, 11×14 in | about 5 : 7 | Close to 2 : 3 or 4 : 5, a slight crop |
| 9×12, 18×24 in; 30×40 cm | 3 : 4 | Most phone photos |
| A5, A4, A3, A2, A1 | 1 : 1.41 | Documents and A-size prints |
| 12×12 in | 1 : 1 | Square photos |
Printing a phone photo? Order it at 3 : 4, such as 9 × 12 in, 18 × 24 in or 30 × 40 cm, and it fits a standard frame without losing the edges.
How to Measure a Picture Frame
A frame's listed size is the size of the picture it holds, not its outside size. To check a frame you already have, take out the backing and measure the opening at the back (the rebate).
- Frame size (what shops list): the print or mat the frame accepts, for example 16 × 20 in.
- Outside size: what you see on the wall. A 16 × 20 in frame with 1 in moulding is about 17½ × 21½ in outside, because the moulding's lip overlaps the print by about ¼ in on each side.
- Viewing area: what shows through the mat opening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the standard picture frame sizes?
In inches: 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 8.5×11, 11×14, 12×12, 16×20, 18×24 and 24×36. In centimeters: 10×15, 13×18, 20×25, 20×30, 30×40, 40×50, 50×70 and 70×100, plus the A-sizes A4, A3, A2 and A1.
What size frame do I need for an 8x10 print?
An 8×10 in frame without a mat, or an 11×14 in frame with a mat. The mat opening for an 8×10 print is usually 7½ × 9½ in.
What size frame do I need for an A4 print?
An A4 frame (21 × 29.7 cm) without a mat, or a 30 × 40 cm frame with a mat. The mat opening is about 20.4 × 29.1 cm.
Does the frame size include the frame itself?
No. The listed frame size is the size of the picture or mat it holds. The outside of the frame is larger, by roughly twice the width of the moulding.
What size is A3 in inches?
A3 is 11.7 × 16.5 in (297 × 420 mm). It fits an A3 frame without a mat, or a 40 × 50 cm frame with one.
What size frame for a 24x36 poster?
A 24 × 36 in poster frame, usually without a mat. With a mat, a 30 × 40 in frame gives a 3 in border at the sides and 2 in at the top and bottom.
Work Out Any Frame Size
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