You’ve had your photos printed; they look brilliant, and now you need a frame. The trouble is that photo labs, phone apps, and frame shops all use slightly different numbers. It’s easy to end up with a print that rattles around inside a frame, or one that won’t fit at all.
The good news is that most photos are printed in a handful of standard photo print sizes, and every one of them has a matching frame. This guide covers the five standard photo print sizes people ask us about most: 6×4, 7×5, 8×10, 10×8 and 12×16. For each one, you’ll see what it’s best for and exactly which frame to pick.
Standard Photo Print Sizes at a Glance
If you just need the numbers, here they are. Every frame size on PhotoFramed refers to the size of the picture the frame holds, not the outside edge of the frame. So you simply match the frame to your print.
| Print size (inches) | Size in cm (approx.) | Shape | Best for | Frame to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6×4 | 15.2 x 10.2 cm | 3:2 | Everyday snaps, holidays, shelves | 6×4 frame (or 7×5 with a 6×4 mount) |
| 7×5 | 17.8 x 12.7 cm | 7:5 | Gifts, bedside tables, thank-yous | 7×5 frame (or 10×8 with a 7×5 mount) |
| 8×10 (portrait) | 20.3 x 25.4 cm | 4:5 | Portraits, school photos | 10×8 frame, hung upright |
| 10×8 (landscape) | 25.4 x 20.3 cm | 5:4 | Group shots, landscapes, pets | 10×8 frame, hung sideways |
| 12×16 | 30.5 x 40.6 cm | 3:4 | Statement photos, phone photos printed big | 16×12 frame (or larger with a 12×16 mount) |
Why Standard Photo Print Sizes Have Different Shapes
Standard photo print sizes differ in shape as well as size, and this matters more than most people expect.
- 6×4 (3:2) has the same shape as most traditional and DSLR camera photos, so these usually print with no cropping.
- 7×5 and 10×8 are slightly squarer, so a camera photo printed at these sizes loses a sliver from the edges.
- 12×16 (3:4) has the same shape as most smartphone photos. That makes it a great size for printing phone pictures large without cutting off anyone’s head.
Before you order prints, check the crop preview on your photo lab’s website. If something important is close to the edge, choose the size whose shape is closest to your original.
6×4: The Classic Everyday Print
At 6×4 inches (about 15 x 10 cm), this is the most popular of all the standard photo print sizes in the UK. It’s what high-street kiosks and most online labs print by default. It’s ideal for holiday snaps, family albums and filling a shelf with small memories.
Which frame fits a 6×4 print? A 6×4 photo frame holds it edge to edge. For a gallery-style look, choose a 7×5 or 8×6 frame with a mount cut for a 6×4 photo. The border draws the eye in and makes a small print look far more considered.
Where it works best: desks, bookshelves, mantelpieces, and clusters of three or five frames.
You’ll find 6×4 options in our mini picture frames and photo frames and rectangle picture frames.
7×5: The Perfect Gift Size
A step up from 6×4, a 7×5 print (about 18 x 13 cm) has just enough extra size to feel special. It’s a favourite for framed gifts, newborn photos, engagement shots and wedding thank-you presents.
Which frame fits a 7×5 print? A 7×5 frame fits it exactly. For a bigger presence on a wall or sideboard, use a 10×8 frame with a 7×5 mount.
Where it works best: bedside tables, hallway consoles, and as the “middle” size in a gallery wall.
8×10 and 10×8: Same Print, Two Ways Round
This is the size that confuses people most, so here’s the key fact: 8×10 and 10×8 are exactly the same size, about 20 x 25 cm. The only difference is orientation.
- 8×10 usually describes a portrait (upright) print, such as a school photo, headshot or family portrait.
- 10×8 is the common UK way of writing the size. It’s often used for landscape (sideways) prints such as group photos, pets and scenery.
Of all the standard photo print sizes, this is the most versatile mid-sized option. It’s big enough to hang on its own and small enough to group with others.
Which frame fits an 8×10 or 10×8 print? A single 10×8 frame fits both, because most of our rectangle frames hang either way. If you want a mount around an 8×10 print, step up to a 12×16 (16×12) frame.
12×16: Go Big With Your Favourite Photo
A 12×16 print (about 30 x 40 cm) is the largest of the standard photo print sizes in this guide. At this size, a photo starts to feel like proper wall art. It suits wedding photos, travel landscapes and favourite family portraits.
Because 12×16 has the same 3:4 shape as most smartphone cameras, it’s the best size for printing a phone photo large without awkward cropping. At this size, a high-resolution original will look noticeably sharper.
Which frame fits a 12×16 print? A 16×12 frame holds it edge to edge, since the size is the same whichever way round the numbers are written. For a mounted look, choose a 20×16 frame with a 12×16 mount.
Where it works best: above a sofa, bed or fireplace, or as the centrepiece of a gallery wall.
Should You Add a Mount?
A mount (sometimes called a matte) is the card border between your photo and the frame. It’s optional, but it can transform how a print looks. Here’s how to pair standard photo print sizes with mounted frames:
| Your print | Frame with mount |
|---|---|
| 6×4 | 7×5 or 8×6 frame |
| 7×5 | 10×8 frame |
| 8×10 / 10×8 | 12×16 (16×12) frame |
| 12×16 | 20×16 frame |
Mounts are especially handy when a print isn’t quite a standard size, because the mount’s window covers the edges and hides any small trimming.
How to Measure Your Print Correctly
Even with standard photo print sizes, it’s worth measuring before you buy:
- Lay the print flat and measure its width and height.
- Measure the actual image, not any white border the lab has added, unless you want the border to show.
- Match those measurements to the frame size. On PhotoFramed, the frame size is the size of the picture it holds.
- If your print is in centimetres or an A-size, check our picture frame sizes UK chart or our guide to A-series photo frame sizes.
Mixing Standard Photo Print Sizes on a Gallery Wall
An easy way to make a gallery wall look balanced is to combine two or three standard photo print sizes in the same frame colour. A good starting formula is:
- one 12×16 frame as the centrepiece
- a 10×8 frame on either side
- 7×5 and 6×4 frames to fill the gaps
For step-by-step layout tips, read our guide on how to create a gallery wall.
Need inspiration for mixing standard photo print sizes? Browse our PhotoFramed Pinterest board for gallery wall layouts, frame pairings and styling ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common standard photo print sizes in the UK?
The most common standard photo print sizes in the UK are 6×4, 7×5, 10×8 (also written 8×10) and 12×16. A4 is also common for documents and certificates.
Is 10×8 the same as 8×10?
Yes, they’re identical in size. 10×8 usually describes landscape prints and 8×10 portrait prints, and one 10×8 frame fits both.
What frame do I need for a 6×4 photo?
A 6×4 frame fits it exactly. For a mounted look, use a 7×5 or 8×6 frame with a 6×4 mount.
What size should I print phone photos?
Phone photos are usually 3:4 in shape, so a 12×16 print will crop little or nothing. Smaller standard photo print sizes such as 6×4 will crop a little from the top and bottom.
Do frame sizes include the frame border?
No. At PhotoFramed, the frame size is the size of the picture it holds, so a 7×5 frame takes a 7×5 print.
Find the Right Frame for Your Print
Once you know your print size, choosing a frame is easy. Whether you have a stack of 6×4 holiday snaps or one show-stopping 12×16 portrait, we stock frames for all the standard photo print sizes. We also carry more than 100 other sizes in inches, centimetres and A-sizes, with fast UK delivery and 30-day returns.
Browse all frame sizes or shop all frames. If you’re unsure which size to pick, contact our team and we’ll be happy to help.