Picture Frame Calculator
Planning to frame artwork, photos, or prints? Enter your art dimensions and preferred mat and frame widths to calculate the exact outer frame dimensions, mat opening, glass size, and visible mat area. Perfect for custom framing orders or DIY projects.
Custom framing involves several measurements that must work together:
- Mat opening: Slightly smaller than the art (1/4 inch overlap on each side) to hold it in place
- Glass/backing: Art dimensions plus mat border on all four sides
- Frame outer: Glass dimensions plus frame molding width on all four sides
The mat serves both an aesthetic and protective purpose. It creates visual breathing room between the art and the frame, and it keeps the glass from directly touching the artwork, which can cause moisture damage over time. A 2-inch mat is standard for most prints, while larger artwork or gallery-style presentations often use 3-4 inch mats.
When selecting frame molding, consider the visual weight in proportion to the art size. Small prints (under 11x14) look best with narrow frames (0.75-1.5 inches). Medium prints (11x14 to 20x24) work well with 1-2 inch frames. Large pieces (over 20x24) can handle wider frames of 2-3 inches or more.