Frame Size Chart: Standard Dimensions for Pictures and Shadowboxes

Standard frame sizes and what they're commonly used for. If your piece doesn't match a standard size, that's not a problem. Every frame we make is cut to your exact dimensions. Use this chart as a starting reference.

Common Standard Frame Sizes

Small Frames (4×6 to 8×10 Inches)

4×6 inches

Standard photo print size
Great for tabletop frames
Ideal for snapshots and casual photos
Fits standard 4×6 photo lab prints without trimming

5×7 inches

Popular photo size
Excellent for portraits
Works well on desks and shelves
Common for school photos

8×10 inches

Most popular frame size
Versatile for photos and art prints
Accepts a 2-inch mat when framing a 5×7 print inside
Standard portrait size

Medium Frames (Ideal for Artwork and Larger Photos)

11×14 inches

Common art print size
Great for matted 8×10 photos
Accommodates an 8×10 print with a standard 1.5-inch mat border
Popular for certificates and diplomas

12×16 inches

Good for larger art prints
Works well for landscape photography
Less common but increasingly popular
Nice size for statement pieces

16×20 inches

Large display size
Excellent for poster prints
Fits an 11×14 print with a 2.5-inch mat on each side
Great focal point in a room

Large Frames (Statement Pieces and Posters)

18×24 inches

Standard poster size
Impressive wall statement
Common for art reproductions
Holds a 16×20 photo with a 1-inch mat border all around

20×24 inches

Large artwork display
Professional presentation
Good for gallery-style displays
Works for oversized photography

24×36 inches

Movie poster size
Major wall statement
Excellent for large art prints
Requires substantial wall space

27×40 inches

Full-size movie poster
Dramatic wall piece
Commercial art displays
Collector's items and special pieces

Photo Print Size Chart

Understanding photo print sizes helps you choose frames that fit perfectly without custom sizing:

Print Size	Common Use	Recommended Frame with Mat
4×6"	Standard prints	5×7" or 8×10"
5×7"	Portraits	8×10" or 11×14"
8×10"	Wall photos	11×14" or 16×20"
11×14"	Large prints	16×20" or 18×24"
16×20"	Statement photos	20×24" or 24×30"

Poster and Art Print Sizes

Standard Poster Sizes

Small Posters:

11×17 inches (Tabloid)
12×18 inches
16×20 inches

Medium Posters:

18×24 inches (Architectural D)
20×30 inches
24×36 inches (Standard movie poster)

Large Posters:

27×40 inches (One-sheet movie poster)
36×48 inches (Large format)

Fine Art Print Sizes

Professional art prints typically come in these standard sizes:

8×10 inches
11×14 inches
16×20 inches
18×24 inches
24×30 inches
30×40 inches

Aspect Ratios and Proportions

Understanding aspect ratios helps you visualize how frames will look:

2:3 Ratio (Most Common Photos)

4×6", 8×12", 12×18", 16×24", 20×30"
Standard DSLR camera format
Classic photo proportion

4:5 Ratio (Portrait Orientation)

8×10", 11×14", 16×20", 20×24"
Common for professional portraits
Traditional frame proportion

5:7 Ratio

5×7", 10×14", 15×21"
Popular photo print size
Slightly narrower than 4:5

Square Formats

8×8", 10×10", 12×12", 16×16", 20×20"
Instagram-inspired
Modern, contemporary look
Great for gallery walls

Using Mat Boards with Standard Sizes

Mat boards allow you to frame smaller artwork in larger standard frames. Common mat configurations:

8×10 frame with mat:

5×7 opening (2" mat on top/sides, 2.5" bottom)
4×6 opening (3" mat on all sides)

11×14 frame with mat:

8×10 opening (standard 2-2.5" mat)
5×7 opening (3-4" mat)

16×20 frame with mat:

11×14 opening (2.5-3" mat)
8×10 opening (4-5" mat for dramatic effect)

Learn more about mat selection in our mat board guide.

When to Choose Standard vs. Custom Sizes

Choose Standard Sizes When:

✓ Your artwork matches a common size exactly
✓ You want the most economical option
✓ You're framing mass-produced prints or posters
✓ You can trim your artwork slightly to fit
✓ You're creating a gallery wall with multiple frames
✓ You need frames quickly

Choose Custom Sizes When:

✓ Your artwork is an irregular or non-standard size
✓ You're framing original artwork that can't be trimmed
✓ Standard sizes would require excessive matting
✓ You want exact proportions for a specific space
✓ You're framing valuable or irreplaceable pieces
✓ The artwork has specific dimensional requirements

International Paper Sizes (ISO Standards)

If you're framing international prints or documents, be aware of these sizes:

A-Series (Common in Europe and worldwide):

A4: 8.3×11.7 inches (210×297mm)
A3: 11.7×16.5 inches (297×420mm)
A2: 16.5×23.4 inches (420×594mm)

These don't match US standard frame sizes, so custom framing may be necessary.

Specialty Frame Sizes

Certificate and Diploma Frames

8.5×11 inches (standard letter size)
11×14 inches (with mat for 8.5×11)
11×17 inches (large certificates)

Panoramic Frames

10×20 inches
12×36 inches
20×60 inches
Great for landscape photography

Square Frames

8×8 inches
12×12 inches
16×16 inches
20×20 inches
Popular for Instagram prints and modern displays

Tips for Measuring and Selecting Sizes

Measure your artwork accurately using our measuring guide
Consider the display location - larger walls need larger frames
Account for mat board if you're adding matting
Think about orientation - portrait (vertical) vs. landscape (horizontal)
Plan for groupings - consistent sizes create cohesive gallery walls

Size Selection Based on Room and Purpose

Bedroom

Small to medium frames: 5×7", 8×10", 11×14"
Personal photos and artwork
Multiple frames or gallery walls work well

Living Room

Medium to large frames: 16×20", 18×24", 24×36"
Statement pieces and focal points
Consider furniture scale

Office/Study

Small to medium frames: 8×10", 11×14"
Diplomas, certificates, inspirational quotes
Professional presentation

Hallway

Varied sizes in gallery wall arrangement
Or uniform sizes in linear arrangement
Consider wall length and viewing distance

Dining Room

Medium to large frames: 16×20", 20×24"
Artistic prints, family photos
Consider as dining room focal point

Quick Size Comparison

To visualize standard frame sizes:

4×6" - About the size of a postcard
5×7" - Similar to a standard greeting card
8×10" - Slightly larger than a sheet of paper
11×14" - About the size of a notebook
16×20" - Roughly the size of a magazine
24×36" - Approximately the size of a small poster

Getting Started

Ready to choose your frame size?

Measure your artwork carefully (see how to measure)
Check this chart to see if a standard size works
Consider adding a mat to use standard frames
Design your frame using our frame designer
Preview before ordering to ensure perfect fit

Need a non-standard size? Enter any dimensions from 4×4 to 48×72 inches in the frame designer and we'll build it. Shadowbox depths from 0.875 to 2.5 inches are also available in every size.