Art Print Sizes Chart: From 4×6 to 24×36 at a Glance

Ordering a print in the wrong ratio is the fastest way to end up with a picture that will not fit any frame on the shelf. An art print sizes chart fixes that by pairing each standard print size with its aspect ratio and the common frame and mat sizes that fit it. The most common sizes run 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 11×14, 12×16, 16×20, 18×24, 20×30, 24×30 and 24×36 inches, and each one falls into a ratio family that decides how your image gets cropped.

Once you know the ratio, the rest is simple. A 2:3 photo fits 4×6, 8×12, 12×18, 16×24, 20×30 and 24×36 without cropping. A 4:5 image fits 8×10 and 16×20. A 3:4 image fits 12×16 and 18×24. Mixing families means trimming part of the picture.

Here is the full reference, followed by how to choose a size, how mats change frame dimensions, and how to avoid the most common printing mistakes.

Art Print Sizes Chart With Frames and Mats

The chart lists each print size, its aspect ratio, a typical matted frame size and the opening that mat would need. Mat openings are usually cut about 1/4 inch smaller than the print on each side so the edges stay hidden.

Keep this art print sizes chart handy when shopping, since ready-made frames in these outside sizes are easy to find, and a picture frame set that mixes 5×7, 8×10 and 11×14 openings covers most small to medium prints for a gallery wall.

Understanding Aspect Ratios

Aspect ratio is the relationship between width and height. Two prints with the same ratio scale up or down without cropping; two with different ratios do not.

2:3 family

Most digital cameras and many phones shoot in 2:3 or close to it. That is why 4×6 art prints match camera files perfectly, and why 24×36 posters print photos edge to edge. Other sizes in this family include 8×12, 12×18, 16×24 and 20×30.

4:5 family

Sizes 8×10, 16×20 and 24×30 share this squarer ratio. A 2:3 photo printed at 8×10 loses about 1 inch off the long side, which can clip heads or horizons. Plan the crop before you order. 24×30 wall art is a popular size for living rooms because it is large without feeling as tall as a poster.

3:4 family

Many phone cameras default to 3:4, which matches 12×16 art prints and 18×24. A 12×16 canvas print from a phone photo usually needs no cropping at all, which makes that size a smart choice for snapshots you want on the wall.

Oddballs: 5×7, 11×14 and letter size

These sizes do not match a camera ratio exactly, so every photo gets trimmed a little. They are standard for art prints and illustrations, though, and frames for them are everywhere.

Small, Medium and Large Wall Print Sizes

Grouping wall print sizes by scale helps when you plan a room.

• Small (4×6 to 8×10): shelves, desks, bathrooms and gallery-wall fillers. Mats make them read larger on a wall.
• Medium (11×14 to 16×20): hallways, over nightstands and small dressers, and the anchor pieces in a gallery grid.
• Large (18×24 to 24×36): over sofas, beds and consoles, or as a single statement piece in an entry or office.

Viewing distance is a good guide. Small prints suit spaces viewed from 3 feet or less. Large prints hold up from across a room, typically 6 to 10 feet away.

How to Choose the Right Print Size

1. Measure the space. Over furniture, a print or framed grouping should span about two thirds of the furniture width. On a bare wall, aim for 60 to 75 percent of the open width.
2. Add the frame and mat. The print is only the center. A 16×20 print with a 3 inch mat and a 1 inch frame becomes roughly 24 x 28 inches overall.
3. Check the file resolution. For sharp results, aim for about 300 pixels per inch at small sizes and at least 150 pixels per inch at large sizes. A 24×36 print at 150 PPI needs a file of about 3600 x 5400 pixels.
4. Match the ratio. Pick a size in the same ratio family as your image, or plan a deliberate crop.
5. Mock it up. Cut kraft paper to the outside frame size and tape it to the wall for a day.

How Mats Change Your Frame Size

Mats are where many people get confused. The frame size printed on the label usually describes the outside of the mat, not the print opening. A frame sold as “11×14 matted to 8×10” holds an 8×10 print in an 11×14 frame opening.

To size your own mat, add twice the border width to each print dimension. An 8×10 print with 2 inch borders needs a 12×14 frame; add 1/2 inch to the bottom for a weighted look and it becomes 12 x 14.5, which is not standard. In practice, people round to the nearest stock frame, such as 11×14 or 12×16, and let the borders land where they fall.

For a balanced look, scale borders with the print: about 1.5 to 2 inches for small prints, 2.5 to 3 inches for medium, and 3 to 5 inches for large pieces. Always use acid-free mat board so it does not yellow the print edges.

Paper, Canvas and Finish Considerations

Paper prints need glazing, either glass or acrylic, to protect the surface. Matte papers hide glare and show fine detail; glossy and luster papers make colors pop but reflect more light. Canvas prints are usually wrapped around stretcher bars and hung without glass, which saves weight on large sizes.

Canvas sizes follow the same standard dimensions, but the wrapped edge uses 1 to 1.5 inches of image on each side. If your picture has important detail near the edges, choose a mirrored or solid-color edge so nothing important folds around the corner.

Common Printing and Framing Mistakes

• Ordering the wrong ratio: a 2:3 photo printed at 8×10 crops off part of the image. Choose 8×12 instead, or crop deliberately.
• Buying a frame by print size, not opening size: check whether the listed size is the frame opening or the mat opening.
• Low-resolution files: an image that looks fine on a phone may look soft at 16×20. Check pixel dimensions first.
• Skimpy mats on big prints: a 1 inch border on an 18×24 looks undersized. Scale up.
• Too many sizes in one grouping: limit a gallery wall to two or three sizes and keep spacing at 2 to 3 inches.
• Skipping the mock-up: paper templates take minutes and prevent extra nail holes.

Typical Cost Ranges

Small photo prints such as 4×6 and 5×7 cost very little at most print labs. Fine art prints at 11×14 to 16×20 commonly run from roughly $15 to $60 depending on paper. Large prints at 24×36 range from about $25 for basic poster paper to well over $100 for archival fine art paper. Ready-made frames range from inexpensive for small sizes to $50 to $150 for large matted frames, while custom framing for big pieces costs more.

When to Use a Professional Framer

A framer is worth the cost for odd-sized prints that do not fit stock frames, limited editions and signed art, or when you want conservation mats and UV-protective glazing. A framer can also cut a custom mat to rescue a print in an awkward ratio, letting it sit in a standard outside frame size without trimming the image.