on June 04, 2026
Standard photo frame sizes are the starting point for any framing decision. Knowing the standard sizes available — and how they correspond to common print sizes from photo labs — makes the process of buying a frame significantly more straightforward.
Standard Frame Sizes: Metric
The following are the most widely available standard frame sizes in metric markets (Europe, Australia, and most of the world outside North America):
Small formats: 9x13cm, 10x15cm, 13x18cm, 15x20cm, 15x21cm
Medium formats: 20x25cm, 20x30cm, 24x30cm, 25x35cm, 28x35cm, 30x30cm, 30x40cm
Large formats: 40x50cm, 40x60cm, 50x60cm, 50x70cm, 60x80cm, 70x100cm
Standard Frame Sizes: Imperial
The following are standard frame sizes in imperial measurements, common in the United States:
Small formats: 3.5x5 inches, 4x6 inches, 5x7 inches, 4x4 inches (square)
Medium formats: 8x8 inches, 8x10 inches, 9x12 inches, 10x13 inches, 11x14 inches
Large formats: 12x16 inches, 16x20 inches, 18x24 inches, 20x24 inches, 24x36 inches
A-Series Sizes
ISO A-series paper sizes have specific dimensions that don't align precisely with standard frame sizes. Common A-series sizes and their exact measurements:
A6: 10.5x14.8cm — closest standard frame: 10x15cm (slight overlap) or with small mat in 13x18cm frame
A5: 14.8x21cm — closest standard frame: 15x21cm (specific A5 frames available)
A4: 21x29.7cm — requires A4-specific frame or mat in 30x40cm frame
A3: 29.7x42cm — requires A3-specific frame or mat in 40x50cm or 40x60cm frame
A2: 42x59.4cm — requires A2-specific frame or mat in 50x70cm or 60x80cm frame
A1: 59.4x84.1cm — requires A1-specific frame or mat in 70x100cm frame
For A-series prints, we recommend buying frames labelled specifically as A4, A3, A2, or A1 to ensure a precise fit. See our dedicated A4 frame sizing guide for detail.
Square Format Sizes
Square format frames have become increasingly common as Instagram and social photography has shifted toward square crops: 20x20cm, 30x30cm, 40x40cm, 50x50cm are the most widely available.
Choosing Between Frame Sizes
When in doubt between two sizes, go larger. A frame that's slightly larger than expected creates more visual presence on the wall. A frame that's slightly smaller than expected looks inadequate for the image it contains.
If you're framing with a mat, the frame size needs to accommodate both the print and the mat border. A typical mat border of 5cm on each side adds 10cm to both width and height — so an A4 print (21x29.7cm) with a 5cm mat would need approximately a 31x40cm frame.
Browse ONE MAAY's picture frame collection across all standard sizes.
