Picture Frame Sizes – How To Select The Right Frame Everytime
Once you understand the basics of picture frame sizes, you will never have trouble finding the right frame size again.Whether you’re new to photography or just never understood picture frame sizes, this article will teach you the basics about picture frame sizes and help you always select the right frame size for your photo.
Picture Frame Size Basics
There are many different picture frame sizes, but they are typically grouped into standard (also called common) and non-standard sizes.Standard sized frames, like 4×6, 5×7 or 8×10 picture frames, are the most common sizes that you often see sitting on a table or hanging on the wall. The term standard frame size refers to the typical sizes available with printed photographs.
Normally with photo frames the size refers to the size of the picture opening and not the exterior dimensions of the frame. In the United States, picture frame sizes are always measured in inches.In other parts of the world they are measured in centimeters.
Picture frame sizes are always measured: width by height.If your picture measures 8 inches wide x 10 inches high you will need an 8 x 10 picture frame. If you have a photo that is 7×5, youll need a 7×5 picture frame. Keep in mind that 7×5 frames can only be used horizontally, while a 5×7 frame can be used horizontally or vertically. The same holds true for 6×4 frames and 10×8 frames compared to 4×6 and 8×10 frames. It will be helpful to remember that 6×4, 7×5 and 10×8 frames can only be used horizontally, while 4×6, 5×7 and 8×10 picture frames can generally go either horizontal or vertical.
When selecting the right picture frame, there are two things you should consider: the photo size your picture frame holds and how the picture frame can be displayed.
1) Knowing the Actual Photo Size Your Picture Frame Holds
It is important to emphasize that the picture frame size is not the overall exterior dimension of the frame but instead the actual photo size that the frame will hold. This is an important difference and is often the cause of confusion. To quickly determine if your frame will hold your photo, you can measure the inner area of the frame where the picture is held. However, this will always give you a smaller measurement than what the actual frame will hold. Thats because every frame has an interior lip that holds the glass and can vary in size. So, if you want a more accurate measurement to know the exact photo size your frame will hold, youll have to remove the frame backing to correctly measure it.
If you want to measure a frame correctly, you have to open it up by removing the frame back.On the inside of the frame there is a ledge that holds the picture and glass. All you do is measure the opening where the glass fits (or measure the glass itself) and youll have the correct size of the photo that will fit in your picture frame.
2) How You Picture Frame Can Be Used
It is important to know whether a picture frame can be displayed horizontally, vertically, or both. Always check this because there are some picture frame sizes that are only designed to be displayed in one direction.Most unique shaped frames, like heart shaped picture frames, can only be displayed one way. An easy way to check is to look at the mounting hardware on the back of the frame to see how the frame can be displayed.
Picture Frame Sizes
Below are some of the most common picture frame sizes. These are for frames that hold a single picture:
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 – wallet size
3 x 5
4×6
4×10 and 4×12 – panoramic picture frames
6×4
5×5
5×7
7×5
6×8
8×8, 10×10 and 12×12 – scrapbook frames
8×10
10×8
8 x 11
11×14
16×20
20×24
If you are looking for a frame that will hold multiple pictures, there are double picture frames, triple picture frames and collage picture frames in a variety of sizes. These all come in standard frame sizes but have more than one picture frame opening.
Picture frames are available in non-standard sizes but there just will be a much smaller selection and will likely be harder to find exactly what you want. If youre looking for a specific size, you can always ask a frame retailer for additional assistance or you can look to have a custom frame made.If you’re trying to find an inexpensive frame in a non-standard size and want to avoid having a custom frame made, you can use a picture frame mat that holds your photo in a standard frame.
Now that you have a better understanding of picture frame sizes, you will hopefully save time, energy and money when picking out your perfect picture frame.