Standard Picture Frame Size Chart
Frame sizes are measured by the inside opening, the size of the artwork or photo that fits inside, not the outside of the frame.
| Frame Size | Common Uses |
|---|---|
| 4×6" | Snapshots, wallet prints, drugstore photo prints |
| 5×7" | Family photos, school portraits, gift prints |
| 8×10" | Portraits, certificates, professional headshots |
| 8.5×11" | Documents, diplomas, letter-size prints |
| 11×14" | Standard portrait print, small artwork, posters |
| 12×12" | Square photos, Instagram prints, scrapbook pages |
| 12×16" | Landscape photos, medium prints |
| 12×18" | 2:3 ratio prints (DSLR camera default) |
| 16×20" | Wall portraits, large family photos, art prints |
| 16×24" | 2:3 ratio enlargements, photography prints |
| 18×24" | Movie posters (mini), art prints, school posters |
| 20×30" | Wall art, panoramic landscapes, statement prints |
| 24×36" | Movie posters (one-sheet standard), large art |
| 27×40" | Modern movie posters (theatrical one-sheet) |
| 30×40" | Large art prints, gallery wall anchors |
The Most Popular Standard Sizes
Five sizes account for the vast majority of all picture frame sales in the US:
- 8×10", the single most popular size. Fits professional portraits, certificates, school photos, and any standard 8×10 print.
- 5×7", the everyday family photo size. Common gift size and tabletop standard.
- 4×6", drugstore print size and snapshot standard.
- 11×14", the largest size that still fits most retail frame racks. Common portrait enlargement.
- 16×20", entry-level wall art size, fits gallery walls and statement portraits.
Bigger standard sizes (18×24, 24×36) take over for posters and large prints. Posters almost always come in one of three sizes: 18×24, 24×36, or 27×40.
Photo Sizes vs. Poster Sizes
Standard picture frame sizes break into three families that come from print history:
- Photo print sizes, 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 11×14, 16×20, 20×24, 20×30. Based on darkroom paper sizes from the 1900s, kept alive by digital photo print shops.
- Document sizes, 8.5×11 (letter), 11×17 (tabloid), 8.5×14 (legal). Match standard paper sizes used in offices and schools.
- Poster sizes, 18×24, 24×36, 27×40. From the movie poster industry. The 24×36 "one-sheet" is the modern movie poster standard.
Picking a Frame Size When You Use a Mat
A mat is the colored border around the artwork inside the frame. The mat opening fits your artwork; the outside of the mat fits the frame.
For a 1.5 to 2 inch mat border (the most common look), pick a frame that is 4 inches larger than your artwork in each direction. For example, an 8×10 photo with a 2-inch border needs a 12×14 frame. A 3-inch border needs a 14×16 frame.
Wider mats (3 to 4 inches) make small artwork feel more important and work well for diplomas and certificates. Narrow mats (1 inch) keep the focus on bigger art prints.
When You Need a Custom Size
Standard sizes only cover about 15 dimensions. If your artwork is anything else, say, a 9×12 print, a 13×19 photograph, a 22×28 record cover, or a 17×11 panoramic, a standard frame will not fit without cropping or leaving empty space.
Custom frames are built to your exact measurement. The cost is similar to a high-quality standard frame, and the artwork fits perfectly.
Read more in our Standard vs. Custom Picture Frames guide.
Standard Frame Sizes FAQ
What are the standard picture frame sizes?
The most common standard picture frame sizes are 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 8.5×11, 11×14, 16×20, 18×24, and 24×36 inches. These sizes match common photo print sizes, document sizes, and poster sizes, so frames and inserts are widely available off the shelf.
What is the most popular picture frame size?
8×10 inches is the most popular picture frame size in the US. It works for portraits, certificates, professional headshots, and school photos. 5×7 and 11×14 are close behind for everyday family use.
What are common frame sizes for posters?
Standard poster frame sizes are 18×24 inches (mini poster), 24×36 inches (one-sheet, the most common modern movie poster), and 27×40 inches (older theatrical one-sheet). Art prints often come in 16×20 and 20×30.
What size frame do I need for an 8×10 photo with a mat?
Add 4 to 6 inches to each dimension. An 8×10 photo with a 2-inch mat border needs a 12×14 frame; with a 3-inch border it needs a 14×16 frame. Most people pick an 11×14 frame with a single mat opening, which gives a 1.5-inch border.
Are picture frame sizes the inside or outside measurement?
Picture frame sizes are the inside opening, the size of the artwork that fits inside, not the outside dimension of the frame. An 8×10 frame holds an 8×10 photo. The outside dimension is larger depending on the frame width.
What if my artwork is not a standard size?
Order a custom-size frame. Standard frames only fit a small set of dimensions. If your artwork is 9×12, 13×19, or any odd size, a custom frame is built to your exact measurement so the artwork fits without cropping or empty space.