How to Choose a Photo Frame Size for Your Print

Quick answer

Measure your print’s exact dimensions first, then choose a frame that matches those dimensions if you want an edge-to-edge look, or go one size up and add a mat for a gallery-style presentation. For a standard 8x10 print, an 8x10 frame works without a mat, while an 11x14 frame gives you room for a 2-inch mat border. If you are framing a canvas print, skip the mat and pick a frame or float mount sized to the canvas itself.

Start with the print, not the frame

Pull out a ruler or tape measure and note the exact width and height of your print in inches, including any white border. Photo papers are usually sold in standard sizes like 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, 11x14, and 16x20, but fine art prints and canvas can vary. If your print has a white border you want to keep visible, treat the full paper size as the print size. If you plan to trim the border, measure the image area only. Write those numbers down before you shop, because frame sizes are listed by the size of the opening, not by the size of the wall space they cover.

Standard photo frame dimensions and what they fit

Common frame sizes map to common print sizes. A 4x6 frame fits a 4x6 print with no mat. A 5x7 frame fits a 5x7 print. An 8x10 frame fits an 8x10 print. An 11x14 frame fits an 11x14 print, or it can hold an 8x10 print with a mat. A 16x20 frame fits a 16x20 print or an 11x14 print with a mat. These pairings are the backbone of any photo frame size guide, but they are not the only option. You can always have a custom frame made, or use a larger standard frame with a custom-cut mat to fit a non-standard print.

8x10 vs 11x14 frame: which one to pick

The choice between an 8x10 and an 11x14 frame usually comes down to whether you want a mat and how much wall space you have. An 8x10 frame is compact and works well on a desk, a small shelf, or a gallery wall where you are grouping many pieces. An 11x14 frame gives a single print more presence and lets you add a mat, which many people feel makes a photo look more finished. If you are framing a single portrait for a hallway or living room, 11x14 with a mat is often the safer bet. If you are framing a series of snapshots, 8x10 frames keep the group from feeling crowded.

Matting a print in a frame: why and how much

A mat is a cardboard border that sits between the print and the glass. It keeps the print from touching the glass, which helps prevent condensation and sticking over time. It also gives the eye some breathing room. As a rule of thumb, a mat border of 2 to 3 inches looks balanced on an 11x14 or larger frame. On a smaller frame, 1 to 1.5 inches is usually enough. When you buy a frame that is larger than your print, check whether it comes with a mat or whether you need to order one separately. If you are matting a print in a frame, make sure the mat’s outer dimensions match the frame opening and its inner dimensions match your print.

Framing canvas prints and non-standard sizes

Canvas prints are a different animal. They usually arrive stretched over a wooden frame and ready to hang, so they do not need a mat or glass. If you want to put a canvas in a frame, look for a floater frame sized to the canvas dimensions, or hang the canvas bare. For non-standard print sizes, you have two practical options: order a custom frame, or buy a larger standard frame and have a mat cut to fit. Custom framing gives the best fit but costs more and takes longer. A standard frame plus a custom mat is often the middle ground. If you are unsure, take your print to a frame shop and ask them to measure it for you.

Hanging framed prints: size, weight, and placement

Before you commit to a frame size, think about where the finished piece will hang. A general rule is that artwork should take up about two-thirds to three-quarters of the width of the furniture or wall space below it. For a sofa that is 80 inches wide, a framed piece around 55 to 60 inches wide looks proportional. If you are hanging a group, keep the spacing between frames consistent, usually 2 to 3 inches. Also consider weight: larger frames with glass get heavy, so use appropriate hardware and anchors. When hanging framed prints, measure twice and use a level. If you are renting, choose lighter frames or canvas to avoid large holes.

Decision rules for frame sizing

• Measure first, always: Use a ruler to get the exact width and height of your print in inches. Do not rely on the label on the back of an old frame. Write the numbers down and take them with you when you shop.
• Match frame to print for a clean edge: If you want the print to fill the frame with no border, buy a frame whose opening equals your print size. This is the simplest path for standard sizes like 8x10 and 11x14.
• Size up when you want a mat: To add a mat, choose a frame at least 2 inches larger on each side than your print. For an 8x10 print, an 11x14 frame gives you a 1.5-inch mat border on the sides and top and bottom. A mat adds visual breathing room and protects the print from touching glass.
• Skip the mat for canvas: Canvas prints are usually stretched and ready to hang. If you frame them, use a floater frame sized to the canvas, not a standard photo frame. Canvas does not need glass or a mat, so do not buy a frame that requires them.
• Check the wall before you buy: Hold a piece of newspaper or cardboard cut to the frame size against the wall to see how it looks in the space. This five-minute test prevents returns and extra holes.

Product facts

• Canvas Prints: Canvas Prints from PhotoLounge are ready to hang and come in sizes including 8x8, 8x10, 8x12, 10x10, 12x16, and 16x16 inches, with a choice of Generated Edge or Black Edge style. Because these canvases are ready to hang, you can skip the frame and mat entirely, or choose a floater frame later if you want a more finished look.
• Inner Child Frames: Inner Child Frames are hand marbled and block printed, and they hold either a 4x6-inch or a 5x7-inch print. These frames are a good match for small prints and snapshot-size photos, but they will not fit an 8x10 or larger print without custom work.
• Cambridge Imprint Note Card Set: The Cambridge Imprint Note Card Set is available in Quercus Green and Quercus Duck Egg, and it is part of the Stationery and Pencils category. If you are framing a note card or a small piece of stationery, these sets give you a ready-made print size that pairs well with a 5x7 frame or a small mat.

Who this guide is for

Best for

• Anyone framing a standard-size photo print for the first time
• People deciding between an 8x10 and an 11x14 frame for a single image
• Shoppers who want to add a mat but are not sure what size frame to buy

Not for

• Collectors framing valuable or oversized fine art who need museum-grade custom framing
• Anyone looking for a frame for a canvas print that is already stretched and ready to hang