Photo print and frame sizes: which size for which photo
Why some sizes crop your photo and others don't, how big a phone photo can be printed, and which frame size suits which wall.
Sunrise Photo Studio · · 3 min read
Print sizes look like a random list of numbers: 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 8×12, 12×18. They aren't random, and knowing why saves you from a print with someone's head cut off at the edge. Sizes here are in inches, as they're sold in Nepal.
Your photo has a shape
Every photo has an aspect ratio: its width compared to its height.
- Camera photos are 3:2. DSLR and mirrorless cameras make photos in this shape.
- Phone photos are usually 4:3. A little squarer than a camera photo.
A print whose shape matches the photo shows all of it. A print with a different shape has to cut something off the edges.
| Size (in) | Shape | Fits a camera photo? | Fits a phone photo? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4×6 | 3:2 | Yes, whole | Crops a little |
| 5×7 | 7:5 | Crops a little | Crops a little |
| 6×8 | 4:3 | Crops a little | Yes, whole |
| 8×10 | 5:4 | Crops more | Crops a little |
| 8×12 | 3:2 | Yes, whole | Crops a little |
| 12×18 | 3:2 | Yes, whole | Crops a little |
A little cropping is often fine, but in a tight family group the person at each end is the one who loses out. Tell us who must stay in the picture and we'll check before printing.
How big can a photo be printed?
A sharp print needs enough pixels. A useful rule: aim for about 200 to 300 pixels for every inch of print. Larger prints hung on a wall are seen from further away, so they can get by with less.
- A 4×6 print needs about 1200 × 1800 pixels for full quality.
- A modern phone photo (12 megapixels, 4032 × 3024) prints well up to about 12×16.
- For 16×24 and larger, use the original from a camera if you can.
The catch is how the photo reaches us. WhatsApp shrinks photos sent the normal way, and Facebook and Instagram do the same. Send the photo as a document on WhatsApp, or bring the original on a pen drive, and it arrives at full size.
Which size for which place
| Where it goes | Size to consider |
|---|---|
| A table, a shelf, a gift | 5×7 or 6×8 |
| A desk or a small wall | 8×10 or 8×12 |
| A bedroom or hallway wall | 12×18 |
| Above a sofa or a bed | 16×24 |
| The main wall of a living room | 20×30 |
A useful test: cut a sheet of newspaper to the size and tape it to the wall for a day. Most people find they wanted one size bigger.
Framed print or canvas?
A framed print behind glass keeps fine detail sharp, which matters in a big family group where every face should be recognisable. A canvas has no glass, so there's no glare from windows or lights, and its texture suits a single bold portrait. There's more on each on our photo frames and canvas prints pages.
Old photos
Old family prints can be copied and printed again, but a small, faded print won't become sharp when it's enlarged. For a portrait of a late family member, bring the best original you have and we'll suggest the size it will hold up at.
Ready to print? Send your photos to us on WhatsApp with the size you want.
