Picture Frame Sizes UK: You’ve got a print, a poster, or a favourite photo, and you want a frame for it. Then you find that frame sizes come in three different systems at once: inches (6×4, 10×8), centimetres (30×40, 50×70) and A-sizes (A4, A3). They don’t line up neatly, and a frame that’s “nearly” the right size can leave a gap, crop part of your picture, or not close at all.
This guide brings together all common UK picture frame sizes in one place. You’ll find complete charts in cm, inches and A-sizes, conversions between them, which print sizes fit which frames, and the mistakes people most often make when buying. Bookmark it, and you won’t need to guess again.
If you already know your size, you can go straight to our full range of picture frames. Otherwise, read on.
How are picture frame sizes measured in the UK?
Before the charts, it helps to understand the one rule that causes the most confusion.
A frame’s size is the size of the picture it holds, not the outside measurement of the frame.
A “10×8 frame” is designed to hold a 10×8 inch photo. The frame itself will be larger once you add the moulding (the border of wood or other material around the edge). A frame with a 2cm moulding is about 4cm bigger in each direction than its stated size.
This matters in two situations:
- When you’re fitting a frame into a space such as a shelf, an alcove or a gallery wall layout, measure using the outside dimensions, not the picture size.
- When you’re buying a frame for a print, measure the print and buy the frame with that size. Don’t measure an old frame from edge to edge and order that number.
The front edge of the moulding (the “lip”) also overlaps the picture by a few millimetres on each side so it stays in place. Expect about 3–5mm of the edges to be hidden. If your print has important detail or a signature right at the edge, consider a mount (more on that below) or a slightly larger frame.
Picture frame sizes UK chart: inches (with cm conversions)
Inch sizes are the traditional standard for photo prints in the UK, and they’re still what most high street and online printing services use. Here are the common sizes with their exact metric equivalents.
| Frame size (inches) | Size in cm | Common use |
| 5 x 3.5 | 12.7 x 8.9 | Small prints, wallet photos |
| 6 x 4 | 15.2 x 10.2 | Standard photo print |
| 7 x 5 | 17.8 x 12.7 | Larger standard print, desk frames |
| 8 x 6 | 20.3 x 15.2 | Phone photos (4:3 shape) |
| 9 x 6 | 22.9 x 15.2 | Camera photos (3:2 shape) |
| 10 x 8 | 25.4 x 20.3 | Portraits, school photos, certificates |
| 12 x 8 | 30.5 x 20.3 | Larger camera photos |
| 12 x 10 | 30.5 x 25.4 | Portraits, art prints |
| 14 x 11 | 35.6 x 27.9 | Art prints, mounted 10×8 photos |
| 16 x 12 | 40.6 x 30.5 | Large phone photo prints |
| 20 x 16 | 50.8 x 40.6 | Wall art, mounted 14×11 prints |
| 24 x 18 | 61.0 x 45.7 | Large posters, wall art |
| 30 x 20 | 76.2 x 50.8 | Large camera photo enlargements |
| 36 x 24 | 91.4 x 61.0 | Maxi posters |
Quick conversion: 1 inch = 2.54cm. To convert inches to centimetres, multiply by 2.54. To go from cm to inches, divide by 2.54.
Smaller sizes such as 6×4 and 7×5 are ideal for desks, mantelpieces and bedside tables. Browse our mini picture frames for these. For standard rectangular inch sizes on the wall, see our rectangle picture frames.
Picture frame sizes UK chart: centimetres (with inch conversions)
Metric frame sizes are common for art prints, posters and anything bought from European printers and shops. Many online art print sellers use cm sizes as standard, so if your print came from one of them, this is the chart to use.
| Frame size (cm) | Size in inches | Common use |
| 10 x 15 | 3.9 x 5.9 | Photo prints (close to 6×4) |
| 13 x 18 | 5.1 x 7.1 | Photo prints (close to 7×5) |
| 20 x 30 | 7.9 x 11.8 | Art prints, photos |
| 30 x 40 | 11.8 x 15.7 | Art prints, phone photo enlargements |
| 40 x 50 | 15.7 x 19.7 | Art prints, wall art |
| 50 x 70 | 19.7 x 27.6 | The most popular poster size in Europe |
| 60 x 80 | 23.6 x 31.5 | Large wall art |
| 60 x 90 | 23.6 x 35.4 | Large posters |
| 61 x 91.5 | 24 x 36 | UK standard maxi poster |
| 70 x 90 | 27.6 x 35.4 | Large wall art |
| 70 x 100 | 27.6 x 39.4 | Statement wall art |
| 80 x 60 | 31.5 x 23.6 | Large landscape prints |
| 100 x 70 | 39.4 x 27.6 | Large landscape wall art |
| 120 x 80 | 47.2 x 31.5 | Oversized statement pieces |
Note that 10 x 15cm and 6×4 inches are close but not identical. A 10x15cm print in a 6×4 inch frame leaves a small gap, and the difference between 13x18cm and 7×5 inches is similar. Inside a frame, those few millimetres are often noticeable, so match the system your print was made in.
For bigger sizes, our maxi picture frames go from 60cm up to 120cm. Popular choices include the Maxi Picture Frame 60 x 80 cm for portrait-orientation art, and the Maxi Picture Frame 90 x 60 cm and Maxi Picture Frame 80 x 60 cm for landscapes.
A-size frame chart (A5, A4, A3, A2, A1, A0)
A-sizes are the international paper sizes used across the UK, so they’re the default for anything printed at home or in an office: certificates, documents, children’s artwork, downloadable prints and many posters.
| A-size | Size in mm | Size in cm | Size in inches | Common use |
| A6 | 105 x 148 | 10.5 x 14.8 | 4.1 x 5.8 | Postcards, small prints |
| A5 | 148 x 210 | 14.8 x 21.0 | 5.8 x 8.3 | Small prints, notes, cards |
| A4 | 210 x 297 | 21.0 x 29.7 | 8.3 x 11.7 | Certificates, documents, home prints |
| A3 | 297 x 420 | 29.7 x 42.0 | 11.7 x 16.5 | Art prints, small posters |
| A2 | 420 x 594 | 42.0 x 59.4 | 16.5 x 23.4 | Posters, wall art |
| A1 | 594 x 841 | 59.4 x 84.1 | 23.4 x 33.1 | Large posters |
| A0 | 841 x 1189 | 84.1 x 118.9 | 33.1 x 46.8 | Very large posters, plans |
The neat thing about A-sizes is that each size is exactly half of the one above it. Two A4 sheets side by side make an A3, two A3s make an A2, and so on. That’s why they all share the same proportions, and why an A4 design scales up to A3 or A2 without cropping.
For a more detailed look at these sizes, read our guide to A-series photo frame sizes explained, or shop our A-series frames directly.
A4 vs 10×8: the most common mix-up
The question we hear most often is whether an A4 print fits a 10×8 frame. It doesn’t.
- A4 is 21.0 x 29.7cm (8.3 x 11.7 inches).
- 10×8 is 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10 inches).
A4 is slightly wider and about 4cm longer. Put an A4 certificate in a 10×8 frame, and you’ll have to trim it, losing part of the document. In the other direction, a 10×8 photo in an A4 frame leaves a visible gap. For certificates and documents, always use an A4 frame.
Square picture frame sizes
Square prints have become very popular thanks to Instagram and square-format print services. Common square frame sizes include:
| Square frame size (cm) | Size in inches | Common use |
| 20 x 20 | 7.9 x 7.9 | Instagram-style prints |
| 30 x 30 | 11.8 x 11.8 | Art prints, vinyl-style artwork |
| 40 x 40 | 15.7 x 15.7 | Wall art |
| 50 x 50 | 19.7 x 19.7 | Statement prints |
| 60 x 60 | 23.6 x 23.6 | Large statement pieces |
Square frames also work well in gallery walls, where a grid of identical squares gives a clean, modern look. Explore our square picture frames, including the large Maxi Picture Frame 60 x 60 cm.
Poster frame sizes
Posters come in several standard sizes, and they don’t always match photo or art print sizes. Here are the ones you’re most likely to come across in the UK:
| Poster type | Size in cm | Size in inches |
| A3 poster | 29.7 x 42.0 | 11.7 x 16.5 |
| A2 poster | 42.0 x 59.4 | 16.5 x 23.4 |
| 50 x 70 poster | 50 x 70 | 19.7 x 27.6 |
| A1 poster | 59.4 x 84.1 | 23.4 x 33.1 |
| UK maxi poster | 61 x 91.5 | 24 x 36 |
| US one-sheet (film poster) | 68.6 x 101.6 | 27 x 40 |
The UK maxi poster (61 x 91.5cm) is the classic size sold in music, film and gaming shops. If you’ve bought a poster from a high street retailer, this is probably what you have. Our maxi poster frames are made for this format.
Film posters from cinemas or collectors are often the US one-sheet size of 27 x 40 inches. This doesn’t fit a maxi frame, so measure before you order.
Panoramic frame sizes
Panoramic photos are much wider than they are tall. Typical proportions are 2:1 or 3:1, compared with about 3:2 for a normal camera photo. They’re perfect for landscapes, cityscapes, group photos and wide beach scenes.
Because panoramic prints vary so much, measure your print carefully before choosing a frame. Our panoramic photo frames come in a range of wide formats.
Which frame fits your photo? Understanding aspect ratios
Aspect ratio is the shape of a picture: how its width compares to its height. Knowing your photo’s ratio is the easiest way to pick a frame size that won’t crop your image.
| Aspect ratio | Where it comes from | Frame sizes with this shape |
| 3:2 | DSLR and mirrorless cameras, standard prints | 6×4, 9×6, 12×8, 30×20, 36×24 inches |
| 4:3 | Most phone cameras (default setting) | 8×6, 16×12 inches; 30x40cm; 60x80cm |
| 5:4 | Traditional portrait prints | 10×8, 20×16 inches; 40x50cm |
| ~1.41:1 | A-sizes, 7×5, 50x70cm | A5–A0, 7×5 inches, 50x70cm, 100x70cm |
| 1:1 | Instagram, square prints | All square frames |
| 2:1 to 3:1 | Panoramic photos | Panoramic frames |
Two useful things follow from this table:
- Phone photos suit 8×6, 16×12 and 30x40cm. If you print a phone photo as a 6×4 (which is 3:2), you lose a strip from the top or bottom. Printing it as 8×6 keeps the whole picture.
- A-sizes, 7×5 and 50x70cm share almost the same shape. So an A-size design can be printed at 50x70cm, and a 7×5 photo can be scaled up to A4 or A3 with almost no cropping.
Frame sizes with a mount: what fits inside?
A mount (also called a mat) is the card border between your picture and the frame. It gives the picture breathing space, keeps it off the glass, and makes even a small print look more substantial on the wall.
When you use a mount, the frame is bigger than your print. Here are common pairings:
| Print size | Frame size with mount |
| 6 x 4 inches | 10 x 8 inches |
| 7 x 5 inches | 10 x 8 inches or A4 |
| 8 x 6 inches | 12 x 10 inches |
| 10 x 8 inches | 14 x 11 inches or 16 x 12 inches |
| A4 | A3 or 40 x 30cm |
| A3 | A2 or 50 x 40cm |
| 30 x 40cm | 40 x 50cm |
| 40 x 50cm | 50 x 70cm |
Three tips for mounted frames:
- The mount’s window (the “aperture”) should be a few millimetres smaller than your print on each side so the print stays in place behind it.
- A wider mount looks more upmarket and gallery-like. Around 5–8cm is a good border for medium-sized frames.
- Many people make the bottom border slightly deeper than the top. Called “bottom weighting”, it makes the picture look visually centred on the wall.
How to measure your picture correctly
Getting the measurement right takes less than a minute and saves a return.
- Lay the print flat on a table. Don’t measure it rolled or curled.
- Measure the width and height using a metal tape measure or ruler. Fabric tape measures stretch.
- Measure in both cm and inches if you can. You’ll see straight away which system your print was made in, because one will come out as a round number (for example, exactly 50 x 70cm, or exactly 10 x 8 inches).
- Decide what to show. If you want the whole print visible, including any white border, frame to the full paper size. If you only want the image, measure the image area and consider a mount instead.
- Check the outside dimensions of the frame you’re choosing if it needs to fit a particular space.
For more detail on matching a frame to your room as well as your print, see our guide on how to choose the right picture frame size.
Choosing the right size for your wall
The print size is only half the story. A frame also needs to suit the wall it hangs on. A few rules of thumb:
- Above a sofa or bed, the artwork (or group of frames) should cover about two-thirds of the furniture’s width. A single small frame above a three-seater sofa will look lost.
- On a large empty wall, go big. A maxi picture frame such as the 100 x 70 cm or 120 x 80 cm makes a statement on its own.
- In hallways and narrow spaces, smaller frames from A4 to 40 x 50cm work best, because people view them up close.
- For a gallery wall, mix sizes but keep a common thread, such as the same frame colour or matching mounts. Our step-by-step guide to creating a gallery wall walks you through planning the layout.
- For a natural, warm look, wooden picture frames suit most interiors and pair well with art prints and family photos alike.
Common frame size mistakes to avoid
- Mixing up inches and cm. A 10x15cm print is not the same as a 6×4 inch frame. Always match the system.
- Assuming A4 fits a 10×8 frame. It doesn’t. A4 is longer and slightly wider.
- Measuring the old frame instead of the picture. Order by picture size, not outside dimensions.
- Forgetting the lip. A few millimetres of each edge sit behind the frame. Leave a margin around signatures and important details.
- Printing phone photos at 6×4. The shapes don’t match, so part of your photo gets cut off. Choose 8×6 or 16×12 instead.
- Ignoring the wall. A frame can fit the picture perfectly and still look wrong because it’s too small for the space.
Frames for special occasions
Some photos deserve a frame chosen with extra care. Wedding photos are usually printed at 7×5, 10×8 or 12×8 inches for the album, with larger enlargements for the wall. Our wedding photo frames are designed for exactly these moments, and they make a thoughtful gift for newlyweds or anniversaries.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular picture frame size in the UK?
For photos, 6×4 and 7×5 inches are the most common, because they match standard prints. For wall art, A3, A4, 30 x 40cm and 50 x 70cm are among the most popular.
What size is a standard photo in the UK?
The standard photo print in the UK is 6×4 inches (15.2 x 10.2cm). 7×5 inches is the next most common.
What size frame do I need for an A4 certificate?
An A4 frame (21 x 29.7cm). If you want a mount around it, choose an A3 frame with an A4 mount.
Is 30 x 40cm the same as 12 x 16 inches?
Very nearly. 12 x 16 inches is 30.5 x 40.6cm, so a 12×16 print in a 30x40cm frame would need a tiny trim. Match the system your print was made in for a perfect fit.
What size is a maxi poster in the UK?
A standard UK maxi poster is 61 x 91.5cm (24 x 36 inches).
What frame size fits a 50 x 70 poster?
A 50 x 70cm frame without a mount. With a mount, go up to 60 x 80cm or 70 x 100cm.
Do frame sizes include the frame border?
No. The stated size is the size of the picture the frame holds. The outside dimensions are larger by the width of the moulding on each side.
Find your perfect frame
Once you know your size, finding the right frame is easy. At PhotoFramed, we stock more than 100 sizes in inches, cm and A-sizes, with fast UK delivery and 30-day returns. Browse our full range of picture frames, or go straight to a category:
- A-series frames for A5 to A1 prints and certificates
- Mini picture frames for desks and shelves
- Rectangle and square picture frames for everyday prints
- Maxi picture frames and maxi poster frames for large art and posters
- Panoramic photo frames for wide landscapes
Still unsure which size you need? Get in touch with our team, and we’ll help you find the right fit.