A frame can look the right size in a room photo and still be wrong for your print. Start with the photo you want to display, then check what the frame holds with its included mat. That simple order makes choosing a frame much easier.
This guide explains the measurements to check before browsing the picture frames at More4less Outlet.
Start with the size of your printed photo
Measure the paper from edge to edge in both directions. A 4 x 6-inch print needs a frame described as holding a 4 x 6 photo, or a larger frame with a mat specifically sized for that photo. Follow the same approach for 5 x 7 and 8 x 10 prints.
If you have not printed the picture yet, check the crop preview before ordering it. Changing a photo from 4 x 6 to 5 x 7 or 8 x 10 changes its proportions. Faces, text, and details near the edges may be cropped. Choose the print size and crop together rather than stretching the image to fit.
Photo size, mat opening, and outside size
- Photo size: The size of the print the frame is intended to hold in the configuration described.
- Mat opening: The window through which you see the photo. It usually overlaps the edges of the print slightly, so its measured opening can be smaller than the stated photo size.
- Outside dimensions: The total space the frame takes up, including its decorative border. Use these measurements when planning a shelf or wall arrangement.
For example, Frame USA explains that mat openings are intentionally smaller than the image size. The amount varies by product. Do not trim your photo just because the visible window measures a little smaller.
Choosing a frame with or without a mat
A mat adds a border around your picture. A frame without that separate border brings the photo closer to the decorative frame edge. Either can work; the important part is matching the listed photo capacity.
Read phrases such as “matted for 5 x 7” literally: that is the photo size for the supplied matted display. Do not assume it identifies the frame’s outside measurements or its capacity with the mat removed. If an alternative unmatted size is not stated, ask before buying it for a larger print.
Three size examples from the store
- For a 4 x 6 photo: The Malden Luxury silver glitter frame is labeled for one 4 x 6-inch photo and has a decorative diamond-pattern border.
- For a 5 x 7 photo with a wide mat: The Mikasa square frame matted for a 5 x 7 photo has a white mat and grey wood-grain look. Its square outer shape does not make the photo opening square.
- For an 8 x 10 photo with a mat: The Mikasa frame matted for an 8 x 10 photo includes a white mat. The 8 x 10 measurement describes the photo used with that mat.
Open each listing for current availability, condition, and actual-item photos. The two Mikasa examples above do not have a verified larger, unmatted photo size listed.
A quick checklist before ordering
- Measure your print and decide whether you want a mat.
- Match the listing’s photo size to that print.
- Check whether important details sit close to the photo’s edge.
- Confirm vertical or horizontal display and the actual fittings. Orientation alone does not confirm wall-hanging hardware or a tabletop stand.
- Check outside dimensions if the frame must fit a specific space.
- Review packaging and condition notes, especially when choosing a gift.
I’m Chad, and I personally inspect, pack, and ship orders from my small store in Burlington, Kentucky. Orders include free tracked U.S. shipping and a small thank-you gift. Compare the available frame sizes and finishes, and ask me before ordering if a measurement you need is missing.
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