Photo Paper Sizes
Photo paper sizes run from 2R (2.5 × 3.5 in, 63.5 × 88.9 mm) up to 12R (12 × 15 in, 304.8 × 381 mm), with 4R (4 × 6 in, 101.6 × 152.4 mm) the most common lab print. The chart below lists all ten sizes in inches, millimetres, centimetres and pixels.
12R measures 304.8 millimetres wide and 381 millimetres tall.
All Photo Paper Sizes to Scale
Dimensions of All Photo Paper Sizes
The Photo Paper Sizes run from 12R at 304.8 × 381 mm to 2R at 63.5 × 88.9 mm. Each size, with its typical use:
| Size | mm | cm | inches | Frame fit | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12R | 304.8 × 381 | 30.5 × 38.1 | 12 × 15 | 4:5, crops a 3:2 photo | large wall enlargements and framed prints |
| 11R | 279.4 × 355.6 | 27.9 × 35.6 | 11 × 14 | 5:4, crops a 3:2 photo | framed enlargements |
| 10R | 254 × 304.8 | 25.4 × 30.5 | 10 × 12 | 6:5, heavy crop of a 3:2 photo | desk and small wall prints |
| S8R | 203.2 × 304.8 | 20.3 × 30.5 | 8 × 12 | 3:2, fits a full-frame photo | uncropped enlargements of camera photos |
| 8R | 203.2 × 254 | 20.3 × 25.4 | 8 × 10 | 5:4, crops a 3:2 photo | framed portraits and standard enlargements |
| 6R | 152.4 × 203.2 | 15.2 × 20.3 | 6 × 8 | 4:3, fits most phone photos | small enlargements, phone-photo prints |
| 5R | 127 × 177.8 | 12.7 × 17.8 | 5 × 7 | 7:5, slight crop of a 3:2 photo | greeting-card prints, small frames |
| 4R | 101.6 × 152.4 | 10.2 × 15.2 | 4 × 6 | 3:2, fits a full-frame photo | the standard photo lab print |
| 3R | 88.9 × 127 | 8.9 × 12.7 | 3.5 × 5 | 10:7, slight crop of a 3:2 photo | small wallet-plus prints |
| 2R | 63.5 × 88.9 | 6.4 × 8.9 | 2.5 × 3.5 | 7:5, slight crop of a 3:2 photo | wallet photos, small ID prints |
Dimensions are portrait (short edge first). Centimetre, inch and pixel values are derived by formula, not separate standards.
What the R Numbers Mean
The day-to-day prints carry both an inch name and an R code: 4R is 4 × 6 in, 5R is 5 × 7 in, 6R is 6 × 8 in, and 8R is 8 × 10 in. Only 4R and the wide 8 × 12 in S8R hold the 3 : 2 shape of a camera photo. A 5 × 7 print is 7 : 5 and an 8 × 10 is 5 : 4, so ordering either means losing a strip off the long edge or accepting a border. Phone photos are usually 4 : 3, which fills a 6 × 8 print almost exactly.
How Many Pixels a Photo Print Needs
For a sharp print at 300 pixels per inch, a 4R needs about 1200 × 1800 pixels, a 5R about 1500 × 2100, an 8R about 2400 × 3000, and a 12R about 3600 × 4500. That last figure is roughly 16 megapixels, the point where a big enlargement starts to depend on the camera rather than the lab. Each size page lists the exact pixel count at 72, 150, 300 and 600 DPI.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common photo print size?
The most common photo print size is 4R, 4 × 6 inches (101.6 × 152.4 mm). It is the standard lab print and the only common size that holds a full-frame or 35 mm photo without cropping.
What size is photo paper?
There is no single photo paper size. Photo paper is cut to whichever R-size a lab or home printer supports, from 2R (2.5 × 3.5 in) up to 12R (12 × 15 in), with 4R (4 × 6 in) the most common default. Home inkjet photo paper is sold pre-cut to these same sizes.
Why does a 5x7 print crop my photo?
A 5x7 print crops your photo because it is a 7 : 5 rectangle. Camera photos are 3 : 2 or 4 : 3, so the lab trims the long edge or adds a border to make the picture fit.
What size photo fits a standard frame?
The photo size that fits a standard frame is whichever R-size matches its opening: the common frame sizes are 4R, 5R, 8R and 10R. An 8 × 10 frame needs an 8R print, which crops a 3 : 2 photo.
What is 4R in centimetres?
4R in centimetres is about 10.2 × 15.2 cm. It is close to A6 (10.5 × 14.8 cm) but longer and narrower.
How many megapixels for an 8x10 print?
An 8x10 print needs about 7 megapixels for a sharp result at 300 DPI. A 4 × 6 needs only around 2.
What is a wallet size photo?
A wallet size photo is 2R, 2.5 × 3.5 in (63.5 × 88.9 mm), a little larger than a credit card. It is the smallest print size labs offer.
What does image size mean on a photo file?
Image size usually means the pixel dimensions of the file, not the print size. On a phone or computer, check the photo's properties or info panel to see its exact width and height in pixels before choosing a print size.
What print size fits a standard photo album?
The print size that fits a standard photo album is usually 4R, since most albums use 4R pockets. Larger albums sometimes use 5R or 6R instead, so check the pocket size before ordering prints.
Is S8R the same as 8R?
No, S8R is not the same as 8R. 8R is 8 × 10 in (5 : 4), while S8R is 8 × 12 in (3 : 2), the same shape as a camera photo. S8R avoids the crop that 8R forces on a full-frame or 35 mm image.
✓ Member dimensions per Photo print size. Centimetre, inch and pixel values derived by formula. Last verified . Editorial Process →