Quick answer: without a mat, buy a frame the same size as your print — an 8x10 print goes in an 8x10 frame. With a mat, buy a larger frame whose mat opening matches your print — an 8x10 print goes in an 11x14 frame with an 8x10 mat.
Frame size means print size
A frame's size describes the artwork it holds, not its outside edge. An 8x10 frame holds an 8 × 10 inch sheet; the molding adds to the overall size on the wall. Measure your whole sheet, including any white border the print came with.
Print size to frame size chart
| Your print | Frame without a mat | Frames with a mat for this print (narrowest border first) |
| 4 x 6 | too small to make — use a mat | 6x8, 6x9, 8x12 |
| 5 x 7 | too small to make — use a mat | 8x10, 8.5x11, 9x12, 10x14 |
| 6 x 8 | 6x8 | 8x10, 8.5x11, 9x12, 12x16 |
| 8 x 10 | 8x10 | 10x14, 11x14, 12x18, 13x16, 14x17 |
| 8.5 x 11 (Letter) | 8.5x11 | 11x14 — the classic diploma frame |
| 8 x 12 | 8x12 | 11x17, 12x16, 12x18, 13x18, 16x20 |
| 11 x 14 | 11x14 | 13x16, 14x17, 17x22, 18x22, 18x24 |
| 12 x 16 | 12x16 | 15x20, 16x20, 18x20, 18x22, 20x24 |
| 12 x 18 | 12x18 | 16x22, 16x24, 17x24, 18x24, 20x30 |
| 16 x 20 | 16x20 | 20x24, 20x26, 21x28, 22x28, 24x30 |
| 16 x 24 | 16x24 | 20x28, 20x30, 24x36 |
| 18 x 24 | 18x24 | 22x28, 22x30, 24x32, 24x33 |
| 12 x 12 (square) | 12x12 | 18x18, 20x20 |
| 16 x 16 (square) | 16x16 | 20x20, 24x24 |
For the full list of standard sizes and what each is used for, see standard picture frame sizes.
How much border will the mat give?
Take the print size away from the frame size and halve it. An 8x10 print in an 11x14 frame gets a 1.5 inch border on the sides and 2 inches top and bottom. A 16x20 print in a 20x24 frame gets 2 inches all round. Not sure which mat color to pick? See how to choose a mat color.
The mat opening is cut slightly smaller than your print
A mat labeled "8x10" is cut a little under 8 × 10 inches so it overlaps the edges of the print and holds it in place. Keep signatures and important detail away from the very edge.
Common mistakes
- An 11x14 print does not go in a 16x20 frame with our mats. Our 16x20 frames take 12x16 or 8x12 prints. For an 11x14 print with a mat, choose a 13x16, 14x17 or 18x24 frame.
- 4x6 and 5x7 prints need a mat. We don't make frames that small, so frame them with a mat in a 6x8 or 8x10 frame.
- A-size prints need A-size frames. An A4 print is taller than a Letter (8.5x11) frame, and A3 is wider than 11x17. See A paper sizes in inches.
- Frame size is not the outside size. Allow for the molding when measuring your wall.
Can't find your size? Every frame is cut to order, so custom framing makes one to your print's exact measurements.
