{"id":7064,"date":"2026-04-03T12:00:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T16:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/?p=7064"},"modified":"2026-04-03T12:00:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T16:00:05","slug":"how-to-measure-a-picture-frame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/how-to-measure-a-picture-frame\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Measure a Picture Frame: Inside & Outside Sizes Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Measuring a picture frame seems simple\u2026until you realize there\u2019s more than one size that matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes you need the size of the art going inside the frame<\/strong>. Sometimes you need the outside dimensions of the finished frame<\/strong>. And if you\u2019re adding a matboard, that changes things too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s where a lot of people get tripped up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news? Once you know what you\u2019re measuring for, it\u2019s easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide, we\u2019ll walk through how to measure a picture frame, explain the difference between inside and outside dimensions, and show you how matboards affect the final size, without making it weird.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Quick Answer on Measuring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"How<\/figure>
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To measure a picture frame, start by figuring out which measurement you actually need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re ordering a frame for a photo, print, or artwork, you usually want the inside frame size<\/strong>, which is based on the size of the piece you\u2019re framing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re checking whether a frame will fit on a wall, shelf, or in a gallery wall layout, you\u2019ll want the outside dimensions<\/strong> of the finished frame.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re adding a matboard<\/a>, you also need to account for the visible mat width on all four sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the secret: there isn\u2019t just one \u201cpicture frame size.\u201d There\u2019s the size of what goes in<\/strong> the frame, and the size of the frame itself, once everything is assembled. We’ll explain…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Start With the Artwork, Not the Frame<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re ordering a custom frame, the most important measurement is usually the size of the artwork <\/a>itself. This is often called the art size<\/strong>, and it\u2019s the exact width and height of the piece you want to frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you order anything, grab a ruler or tape measure and measure the real thing.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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That means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n