Picture frame size guide
A frame size always refers to the picture it holds, not the outside of the frame. So an A4 frame takes an A4 print (21 × 29.7 cm), and the finished frame will be a little larger once the moulding is added. To choose the right one, measure your print, match it to the table below, then decide whether you want a mount (the card border) for extra space around the image.
Standard frame sizes in cm and inches
These are the picture sizes our frames are made to fit. Sizes are rounded; always check the measurements on the product page before you order.
| Size name | Centimetres | Inches | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 × 4 in | 10.2 × 15.2 cm | 4 × 6 in | Standard photo prints, desks and shelves |
| A6 | 10.5 × 14.8 cm | 4.1 × 5.8 in | Postcards and greetings cards |
| 7 × 5 in | 12.7 × 17.8 cm | 5 × 7 in | Larger photos, mantelpieces |
| A5 | 14.8 × 21 cm | 5.8 × 8.3 in | Small art prints, postcards with a mount |
| 8 × 6 in | 15.2 × 20.3 cm | 6 × 8 in | Portrait photos, bedside tables |
| 10 × 8 in | 20.3 × 25.4 cm | 8 × 10 in | Portraits and small artworks |
| A4 | 21 × 29.7 cm | 8.3 × 11.7 in | Art prints, certificates |
| 12 × 16 in | 30.5 × 40.6 cm | 12 × 16 in | Medium wall art |
| A3 | 29.7 × 42 cm | 11.7 × 16.5 in | Posters and statement prints |
| 16 × 22 in | 40.6 × 55.9 cm | 16 × 22 in | Larger wall art |
| A2 | 42 × 59.4 cm | 16.5 × 23.4 in | Feature prints above sofas and beds |
| 20 × 30 in | 50 × 76 cm | 20 × 30 in | Large statement pieces |
A-sizes follow the international paper standard, so each size is exactly half the one above it (two A4 sheets make an A3). Photo sizes such as 6 × 4 and 7 × 5 are traditionally measured in inches.
What frame size do I need for my print?
- Measure the print itself, edge to edge, in centimetres or inches.
- Find the matching size in the table above. If your print is an A4, choose an A4 frame; if it is a 7 × 5 photo, choose a 7 × 5 frame.
- Decide about a mount. If you want a card border, pick a frame one or two sizes larger and a mount cut for your print. Some frames include one, so check the product details.
- Allow for the moulding. The outside measurement will be bigger than the picture size. For example, our large frames in A4, A3, A2 and 20 × 30 in have an 18 mm wide moulding, so allow a little extra on every side when planning a wall.
Does a mount change the frame size I need?
Yes. A mount sits between the glass and the picture and covers its edges, so the visible image is slightly smaller than the print. With a mount you usually buy a frame larger than your print: an A5 print inside an A4 frame, for instance. Our A5 wooden frames and A3 wooden frames come with an acid-free mount, which is a good way to give a small artwork more presence.
What size frame for my wall?
There is no fixed rule, but these rules of thumb help:
- Above a sofa, bed or sideboard, aim for artwork (or a group of frames) that covers roughly two-thirds of the furniture’s width. A2 and 20 × 30 in pieces, or a set of two or three A3s, often suit a standard three-seater sofa.
- Small walls and alcoves suit A4 to 12 × 16 in, or a single A3.
- Desks, shelves and mantelpieces suit 6 × 4, 7 × 5 and 8 × 6 in frames with a stand. Our 6 × 8 in Churchill frame and 7 × 5 in checkered frame are good examples.
- Large, empty walls can take one 20 × 30 in piece or a gallery wall of mixed sizes.
Before you buy, cut paper templates to the outside size of the frames and tape them to the wall. It is the quickest way to see whether a size feels right.
Portrait or landscape?
Most rectangular frames can hang either way, but check the hanging fixings. Several of our frames, including the twin A6 wooden frames, have clips that can be moved so you can switch orientation. Freestanding frames such as the 10 × 8 in marquetry frame work on a desk or on the wall.
Frames for several photos
Multi-aperture frames hold several small prints, usually 6 × 4 in, in one frame. They are an easy way to create a gallery effect without drilling lots of holes. See the white nine-photo frame, or the triple frame for Instax Mini prints.
Browse every size in our picture frames collection, or find something to put in them in prints and posters and About Wall Art.
Frame size FAQs
Is a frame size the inside or outside measurement?
The inside. The size names the picture it holds; the outside will be larger depending on the moulding width.
What is the difference between A4 and 10 × 8 in?
A4 is 21 × 29.7 cm, while 10 × 8 in is 20.3 × 25.4 cm. A4 is taller and slightly narrower, so the two are not interchangeable.
Will a 6 × 4 photo fit an A6 frame?
Almost. A6 is 10.5 × 14.8 cm and a 6 × 4 print is 10.2 × 15.2 cm, so the photo is a few millimetres longer. You may need to trim it slightly.
What size is a 20 × 30 inch frame in cm?
Approximately 50 × 76 cm for the picture area.
Can I put an A4 print in an A3 frame?
Yes, with a mount cut for A4. Without a mount the print will move about and the backing board will show.
Related guides: how to style and hang wall art.
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