FRAME SIZE LAB
THE DIMENSION TOOLKIT

Standard picture-frame sizes

Look up the nominal size. Compare the proportions. Check what the label actually means.

27 reference sizes

Nominal artwork / frame reference dimensions. Inches converted exactly at 25.4 mm per inch; displayed values rounded.
SizeInchesCentimetersRatioCategory
4 × 6 in4 × 6 10.16 × 15.24 0.667:1photo
5 × 7 in5 × 7 12.7 × 17.78 0.714:1photo
8 × 10 in8 × 10 20.32 × 25.4 0.8:1photo
8 × 12 in8 × 12 20.32 × 30.48 0.667:1photo
8½ × 11 in8.5 × 11 21.59 × 27.94 0.773:1photo
9 × 12 in9 × 12 22.86 × 30.48 0.75:1photo
11 × 14 in11 × 14 27.94 × 35.56 0.786:1photo
11 × 17 in11 × 17 27.94 × 43.18 0.647:1poster
12 × 16 in12 × 16 30.48 × 40.64 0.75:1poster
12 × 18 in12 × 18 30.48 × 45.72 0.667:1poster
16 × 20 in16 × 20 40.64 × 50.8 0.8:1poster
18 × 24 in18 × 24 45.72 × 60.96 0.75:1poster
20 × 24 in20 × 24 50.8 × 60.96 0.833:1poster
20 × 30 in20 × 30 50.8 × 76.2 0.667:1poster
24 × 36 in24 × 36 60.96 × 91.44 0.667:1poster
8 × 8 in8 × 8 20.32 × 20.32 1:1square
12 × 12 in12 × 12 30.48 × 30.48 1:1square
16 × 16 in16 × 16 40.64 × 40.64 1:1square
12 × 36 in12 × 36 30.48 × 91.44 0.333:1panoramic
10 × 20 in10 × 20 25.4 × 50.8 0.5:1panoramic
A033.11 × 46.811 84.1 × 118.9 0.707:1a-series
A123.386 × 33.11 59.4 × 84.1 0.706:1a-series
A216.535 × 23.386 42 × 59.4 0.707:1a-series
A311.693 × 16.535 29.7 × 42 0.707:1a-series
A48.268 × 11.693 21 × 29.7 0.707:1a-series
A55.827 × 8.268 14.8 × 21 0.705:1a-series
A64.134 × 5.827 10.5 × 14.8 0.709:1a-series

Compare two frame sizes

Compare nominal opening areas and proportions. Outside dimensions depend on each frame profile.

A visual size estimate. Verify the actual artwork, frame, mat, glazing, hardware, wall and manufacturer specifications before buying or arranging a display. Dimensions alone do not guarantee fit.

What does a standard frame size mean?

Inch sizes here are a selected reference catalog, not an industry guarantee of product availability or tolerance. A-series entries describe paper dimensions. A frame’s named size usually refers to the artwork or insert it receives; outside moulding adds a separate measurement.

Portrait and landscape

Swapping the two dimensions changes orientation, not area. A physical frame’s ability to display either way depends on its design and manufacturer specifications. The comparison shows the listed portrait proportions.

Square and panoramic frames

Square references have a 1:1 ratio. A 12 × 36 is 1:3, while 10 × 20 is 1:2. “Panoramic” does not define a single standard ratio. Use aspect-ratio matching before assuming that a panorama fits another panoramic size.