Poster sizes can be confusing. One shop sells in centimetres, another in inches, and a third uses A-sizes, so it is easy to order a frame that is almost right but still doesn’t fit. This guide explains the most popular poster sizes in the UK, shows exactly which frame fits a 50×70, 61×91, or 24×36 poster, and gives you a simple chart you can use for any print on your wall.
Quick answer: which poster sizes fit your frame?
50 x 70 cm poster → a 50 x 70 cm frame.
61 x 91 cm poster → a 24 x 36 inch frame. 61 x 91 cm is simply 24 x 36 inches in metric.
24 x 36 inch poster → a 24 x 36 inch frame for portrait, or a 36 x 24 inch frame for landscape.
The golden rule: a frame’s size is the size of the artwork it holds, not the outside of the frame.
How poster sizes and frame sizes work
When you buy a frame labelled 50 x 70 cm, that measurement is the opening inside the frame, built to hold a 50 x 70 cm print. The outside of the frame is bigger because of the moulding. On our 50 x 70 cm maxi frame, the moulding is 30 mm wide, so the finished piece measures roughly 56 x 76 cm on the wall. Keep that in mind when you plan a space above a sofa or bed.
A small lip called the rebate holds the glazing, poster and backing in place. It also overlaps the very edge of your print by a few millimetres, so avoid posters with text or important detail right at the border.
50×70 poster: what size frame do you need?
50 x 70 cm is the most popular poster sizes for art prints sold by European and UK online shops. It has a 5:7 ratio and measures about 19.7 x 27.6 inches. It is large enough to make an impact in a living room but still fits comfortably on most walls.
Frame to choose: a Maxi Picture Frame 50 x 70 cm. Ours is made from MDF with a 30 mm moulding, 15 mm depth, and an 8 mm rebate, and uses HD plexiglass instead of glass, so it is lighter and shatter-resistant. It hangs in portrait or landscape and comes in black, white, oak, and rustic finishes.
A 50 x 70 cm frame is also a smart choice for smaller prints. Add a mount, and it will display an A2 poster or a 40 x 50 cm print with a clean gallery-style border.
61×91 poster: what size frame do you need?
This is the size that causes the most mistakes. A 61 x 91 cm poster is not a metric standard of its own. It is a 24 x 36 inch poster converted into centimetres (60.96 x 91.44 cm, rounded to 61 x 91).
Frame to choose: a 24 x 36 inch frame. It fits a 61 x 91 cm poster exactly.
Avoid this common mistake: a 60 x 90 cm frame looks close enough, but a 61 x 91 cm poster is about 1 cm too wide and 1.4 cm too tall for it. The poster will either need trimming or will buckle under the glazing. Keep the 60 x 90 cm frame for prints that are actually 60 x 90 cm.
24×36 poster: what size frame do you need?
24 x 36 inches is the classic large poster sizes in the UK and is widely used for film, music, gaming, and sports posters. It has a 2:3 ratio, the same shape as a standard photograph, which is why it also suits enlarged photos.
Frame to choose: a Maxi Picture Frame 24 x 36 inches for a portrait poster, or the 36 x 24 inch version if you want to hang it landscape. If your poster is labelled 61 x 91 cm, 60.9 x 91.4 cm or 24 x 36 inches, the same frame fits all three.
Poster sizes chart: cm, inches and the right frame
Use this chart to match common poster sizes to the right frame. For every frame we sell, see our full frame sizes list or the complete picture frame sizes UK chart.
| Poster sizes | Centimetres | Inches | Ratio | Frame to choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A3 | 29.7 x 42 | 11.7 x 16.5 | 1:√2 | A3 frame |
| 30×40 cm | 30 x 40 | 11.8×15.7 | 3:4 | 30 x 40 cm frame |
| A2 | 42 x 59.4 | 16.5 x 23.4 | 1:√2 | A2 frame |
| 50 x 70 cm | 50 x 70 | 19.7 x 27.6 | 5:7 | 50 x 70 cm frame |
| 60 x 80 cm | 60 x 80 | 23.6 x 31.5 | 3:4 | 60 x 80 cm frame |
| A1 | 59.4×84.1 | 23.4 x 33.1 | 1:√2 | A1 maxi frame |
| 60 x 90 cm | 60 x 90 | 23.6 x 35.4 | 2:3 | 90 x 60 cm frame |
| 24 x 36 in (61×91 cm) | 61 x 91.4 | 24 x 36 | 2:3 | 24 x 36 inch frame |
| 70 x 100 cm | 70 x 100 | 27.6 x 39.4 | 7:10 | 100 x 70 cm frame |
A-sizes follow their own system, where each size is double the one below it. Our guide to A-series frame sizes explains A5 to A1 in detail, and you can browse every A-series frame in one place.
How to measure your poster before you buy a frame
Never rely on the product title alone. Print sizes vary slightly between printers, so a quick measurement saves a return.
- Lay the poster flat on a clean table and gently weigh down the corners.
- Measure the width and height of the whole sheet in centimetres, edge to edge.
- Note any white border. If you plan to hide it, measure the printed image as well.
- Compare your numbers with the frame’s artwork size, not its outside size.
- If your poster sits between two sizes, choose the next size up and add a mount rather than squeezing it into a frame that is too small.
Using a mount with poster frames
A mount (or mat) is a card border that sits between the poster and the glazing. It lets you put a smaller poster into a larger frame and gives a more finished, gallery look. Popular pairings include:
- A2 poster (42×59.4 cm) in a 50×70 cm frame
- 30×40 cm print in a 40×50 cm frame
- A3 poster in a 30×40 cm frame
Check the rebate depth first. In an 8 mm rebate, the combined thickness of the glazing, mount, poster and backing must fit comfortably.
Choosing the right maxi poster sizes frame
Large poster sizes need a frame that is sturdy but not heavy. Browse our maxi poster frames and the wider maxi picture frame range with these points in mind:
- Glazing: plexiglass is lighter and safer than glass on big frames, especially in hallways, children’s rooms and rented homes.
- Colour: black suits bold graphic and film posters, white suits colourful modern art, and oak or rustic warm up botanical, travel and vintage prints.
- Orientation: check whether your frame hangs both ways. Our maxi frames hang in portrait or landscape.
- Hanging height: aim for the centre of the poster at roughly 145 to 155 cm from the floor, and leave 15 to 25 cm above a sofa or headboard.
Poster frame ideas and inspiration
Want to see how 50×70 and 24×36 frames look on a real wall? Visit our Pinterest board for gallery wall layouts, frame colour pairings and room-by-room styling ideas. A popular approach is to use one 50×70 cm poster as the anchor and surround it with smaller A4, A3 and 30×40 cm frames. If you are framing photos as well, our guide to standard photo print sizes will help you plan the smaller pieces.
Frequently asked questions about poster sizes
What size frame do I need for a 50×70 poster?
A 50×70 cm frame. Frame poster sizes describe the artwork they hold, so a 50×70 cm poster drops straight into a 50×70 cm frame with no trimming.
Is 61×91 cm the same as 24×36 inches?
Yes. 24×36 inches converts to 60.96×91.44 cm, which retailers round to 61×91 cm. Both names describe the same poster, and both fit a 24×36 inch frame.
Will a 61×91 cm poster fit in a 60×90 cm frame?
Not without trimming. The poster is about 1 cm too wide and 1.4 cm too tall, so it would buckle under the glazing. Choose a 24×36 inch frame instead.
What are the most common poster sizes in the UK?
50×70 cm is the most popular size for art prints sold by European online shops, while A-series sizes (A3, A2, A1) are common for UK printing. 24×36 inches is the standard for many film, music, and gaming posters made for the US market.
Can I put an A1 poster in a 24×36 frame?
It will fit, but the gap is uneven (about 0.8 cm at the sides and 3.6 cm at the top and bottom). A dedicated A1 frame gives a much neater result.
Does a 50×70 frame fit a 24×36 poster size?
No. A 24 x 36 inch poster is 61 x 91 cm, so it is far larger than a 50 x 70 cm frame. Always compare your poster’s measured size with the frame’s artwork size.
Find the perfect frame for your poster sizes
Once you know your poster sizes, choosing a frame is simple: match the frame’s artwork size to your measured poster. A 50 x 70 cm poster needs a 50 x 70 cm frame, while both 61 x 91 cm and 24 x 36 inch posters need a 24 x 36 inch frame. Explore the full Photoframed shop for more than 100 sizes, all with UK delivery and 30-day returns. Still unsure? Contact our team with your poster’s measurements, and we will point you to the right frame.