Photo FramesPhoto print sizes in inches, cm and pixels
The common print and paper sizes, with the number of pixels each needs for a sharp print, and a checker that tells you how large your own photo can be printed.
| Print size | Also | Pixels at 300 dpi | Shape | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 × 2 inch | 5.1 × 5.1 cm | 600 × 600 | 1:1 | Passport and visa photos in India and the USA |
| 3.5 × 4.5 cm | 1.4 × 1.8 inch | 413 × 531 | 7:9 | Passport-size photo for many forms |
| 3.5 × 5 inch | 8.9 × 12.7 cm | 1050 × 1500 | 7:10 | Small print, often called 3R |
| 4 × 6 inch | 10.2 × 15.2 cm | 1200 × 1800 | 2:3 | The standard postcard print, 4R |
| 5 × 7 inch | 12.7 × 17.8 cm | 1500 × 2100 | 5:7 | Table frames, 5R |
| 6 × 8 inch | 15.2 × 20.3 cm | 1800 × 2400 | 3:4 | Matches most phone photos without cropping |
| 8 × 10 inch | 20.3 × 25.4 cm | 2400 × 3000 | 4:5 | Wall frames |
| 8 × 12 inch | 20.3 × 30.5 cm | 2400 × 3600 | 2:3 | Wall frames; matches camera photos |
| A5 | 14.8 × 21 cm | 1748 × 2480 | 1:1.41 | Half of an A4 sheet |
| A4 | 21 × 29.7 cm | 2480 × 3508 | 1:1.41 | Office paper size; certificates and collages |
| A3 | 29.7 × 42 cm | 3508 × 4961 | 1:1.41 | Small posters |
| 12 × 18 inch | 30.5 × 45.7 cm | 3600 × 5400 | 2:3 | Large wall prints |
Pixels are for 300 dots per inch, the usual standard for a sharp photo print. Shape is the ratio of the short side to the long side.
How large can my photo be printed?
To find the pixel size of a photo on a phone, open it in the gallery and look under Details or Info.
Choosing a size
- Phone photos are usually 3:4. They fit 6 × 8 inch paper exactly and lose a little on 4 × 6 and 5 × 7.
- Camera photos are usually 2:3. They fit 4 × 6 and 8 × 12 exactly.
- Square photos need square prints, or a white border on the two short sides.
- For frames, buy the frame first or check its opening. The visible part is a little smaller than the print.
Before you send photos to print
- Send the original file. Photos passed through chat apps are often made smaller on the way.
- Do not enlarge a small photo and expect detail. Making the file bigger does not add sharpness.
- Ask the shop whether they print "full frame" or "fill the paper". Fill the paper crops the edges.
- Keep faces and text away from the edges. Printers trim a few millimetres.
Questions people ask
How many pixels do I need for a 4 × 6 print?
1200 × 1800 pixels gives a sharp print at 300 dots per inch. About 800 × 1200 is still acceptable.
What does 300 dpi mean?
Dots per inch: how many pixels are printed along one inch of paper. 300 looks sharp when held in the hand. Large prints seen from a distance can use 150 or even 100.
Why is part of my photo cut off in the print?
The shape of the photo and the shape of the paper differ. A phone photo is usually 3:4, and a 4 × 6 print is 2:3, so a strip is trimmed from the long sides. Crop the photo yourself first to choose what is lost.
What is the size of a passport photo in India?
For an Indian passport the photo is 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). Many other forms ask for 3.5 × 4.5 cm. Always check the instructions of the form you are filling.
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