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🖼️ Picture Dimensions
Standard Sizes:
in
in
Border Preset:
in
🔳 Mat Size (Optional)

Mat is the border/whitespace between your picture and the frame. Set to 0 for full-bleed framing.

Mat Preset:
in
in
in
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📐 Calculated Results
Inner Frame Width
11.60 in
Rabbet opening width
Inner Frame Height
13.60 in
Rabbet opening height
Outer Frame Width
15.00 in
Total exterior width
Outer Frame Height
17.00 in
Total exterior height
Total Molding Length
64.00 in
Perimeter (45° miters)
Outer Frame Area
255.00 in²
Total wall surface area
Outer Frame: 15.00" × 17.00"

Visual Frame Preview

Diagram is scaled for illustration purposes. Dimensions shown in your selected unit.

Molding:
Mat Color:

Standard Picture Frame Sizes Reference Chart

These are the most common standard picture frame sizes available at retailers and frame shops. Click Use Size to load any size directly into the calculator above, or enter custom dimensions.

Frame Name Size (inches) Size (cm) Common Use Action
✨ Custom Frame Size Any Custom Width Any Custom Height Tailored bespoke framing, non-standard art
Wallet2.5 × 3.5 in6.4 × 8.9 cmID photos, keepsakes
Standard 4×64 × 6 in10.2 × 15.2 cmRegular photo prints
Standard 5×75 × 7 in12.7 × 17.8 cmTabletop, portraits
Standard 8×108 × 10 in20.3 × 25.4 cmPortraits, art prints
Standard 11×1411 × 14 in27.9 × 35.6 cmSmall wall art
Standard 12×1812 × 18 in30.5 × 45.7 cmMedium prints, 2:3 ratio
Standard 16×2016 × 20 in40.6 × 50.8 cmGallery wall centerpieces
Standard 18×2418 × 24 in45.7 × 61.0 cmPosters, large art
Standard 24×3624 × 36 in61.0 × 91.4 cmFull-size movie posters
ISO A4 (European)8.3 × 11.7 in21.0 × 29.7 cmDiplomas, international art
ISO A3 (European)11.7 × 16.5 in29.7 × 42.0 cmLarge European prints
Square 12×1212 × 12 in30.5 × 30.5 cmSquare prints, Instagram art
Panoramic 4×124 × 12 in10.2 × 30.5 cmPanoramas, skyline photos

How to Measure and Calculate Picture Frame Size

Whether you're framing a cherished family portrait, a diploma, or an original work of art, getting your picture frame measurements right is the difference between a professional, gallery-worthy presentation and artwork that looks cramped or slides around loosely. Our free Picture Frame Size Calculator makes it effortless to compute both the interior rabbet opening and the total exterior frame dimensions.

Step-by-Step Framing Formula

  1. Measure your picture: Measure the visible width and height of the photo or artwork you want to display.
  2. Decide on a mat: If using a mat board, decide how wide you want the mat border on each side (typically 2–3 inches for standard frames).
  3. Choose your molding width: Measure the width of the frame moulding strip — from the outer edge to the inner lip.
  4. Calculate outer dimensions: Add twice the mat width and twice the molding width to your picture dimensions.
Outer Width = Picture Width + (Mat Width + Molding Width) × 2
Outer Height = Picture Height + (Mat Height + Molding Width) × 2
Molding Length = (Outer Width + Outer Height) × 2

Note: The molding length formula calculates the perimeter needed for standard 45° miter cuts at all four corners.

What Is a Picture Frame Mat?

A picture frame mat (also known as a mat board or mount) is a flat cardboard or archival cotton border placed between the artwork and the glass. Mats serve three essential purposes:

What Is Frame Molding Width and Rabbet Width?

The frame molding is the decorative structural strip forming the perimeter. The rabbet is the stepped groove cut into the inner back edge of the molding that holds the glass, mat board, art, and backing. When calculating the inner opening size, accounting for the rabbet width and a small 0.05" fudge factor ensures materials fit easily without bowing.

Frequently Asked Questions

To calculate the correct picture frame size, start with your picture's width and height, then add twice the mat size and twice the molding (border) width to each dimension. For example, an 8×10 inch photo with a 2-inch mat and 1.5-inch molding gives an outer frame size of 8 + (2 + 1.5) × 2 = 15 inches wide and 10 + (2 + 1.5) × 2 = 17 inches tall.

The most common standard picture frame sizes in the US are 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 11×14, 16×20, and 24×36 inches. International European sizes follow the ISO A-series: A4 (21×29.7 cm), A3 (29.7×42 cm), and A2 (42×59.4 cm).

A standard mat border width is typically 2–3 inches on all sides for medium prints (8×10 to 11×14). Larger artwork (16×20 and above) looks balanced with 3–4 inches of matting.

The total molding length needed equals the perimeter of your outer frame: 2 × (Outer Width + Outer Height). If building custom frames by hand, always add 10–15% extra molding to account for 45° miter cut waste.

Yes! Our tool fully supports centimeters and inches. Click the Centimeters (cm) toggle at the top of the calculator to calculate in metric units with live conversions.