Picture Frame Dimension Calculator

Artwork Width (inches)

Artwork Height (inches)

Mat Border Width (inches) Enter 0 for no matting

Frame Molding Width (inches)

Calculation Results:

Glass & Backing Size:

Total Outside Frame Size:

*Note: This includes a standard 1/4″ mat overlap for the artwork.

How to Calculate Picture Frame Dimensions

Choosing the right frame for your artwork requires precise measurements to ensure everything fits perfectly. Whether you are a professional framer or a DIY enthusiast, understanding how matting and molding widths affect the final size is crucial for wall planning.

The Core Formula

To find the final size of your framed piece, we use the following calculations:

Glass Size: Artwork Dimension + (Mat Width × 2)
Total Frame Size: Glass Size + (Frame Molding Width × 2)

Example Calculation

Imagine you have a 10″ × 12″ photograph that you want to frame with a 2″ mat and a 1.5″ frame molding:

Add the Matting: 10″ + (2″ + 2″) = 14″ wide; 12″ + (2″ + 2″) = 16″ high. Your glass and backing board should be 14″ × 16″.
Add the Frame Molding: 14″ + (1.5″ + 1.5″) = 17″ wide; 16″ + (1.5″ + 1.5″) = 19″ high.
Final Result: Your total wall space needed is 17″ × 19″.

Professional Framing Tips

When measuring your artwork, always measure twice. If your art has a border you want to hide, ensure the mat opening is slightly smaller (usually by 1/4 inch) than the artwork itself so the paper doesn't fall through the opening. Our calculator assumes a standard overlap for the glass size calculation to provide the most accurate exterior dimensions.

function calculateFrameDimensions() { var artW = parseFloat(document.getElementById("artWidth").value); var artH = parseFloat(document.getElementById("artHeight").value); var matW = parseFloat(document.getElementById("matWidth").value); var frameW = parseFloat(document.getElementById("frameWidth").value); if (isNaN(artW) || isNaN(artH) || isNaN(matW) || isNaN(frameW)) { alert("Please enter valid numerical values for all fields."); return; } // Glass size is the art size plus the mat borders on both sides var glassW = artW + (matW * 2); var glassH = artH + (matW * 2); // Total size is the glass size plus the frame molding on both sides var totalW = glassW + (frameW * 2); var totalH = glassH + (frameW * 2); // Format results document.getElementById("glassResult").innerText = glassW.toFixed(3).replace(/\.?0+$/, "") + " in. x " + glassH.toFixed(3).replace(/\.?0+$/, "") + " in."; document.getElementById("outerResult").innerText = totalW.toFixed(3).replace(/\.?0+$/, "") + " in. x " + totalH.toFixed(3).replace(/\.?0+$/, "") + " in."; // Show results area document.getElementById("resultsArea").style.display = "block"; }