If there’s something you love, you likely have an album dedicated to it in your phone gallery. From big milestones like weddings and birthdays to everyday moments, photos help us relive our core memories. But some moments just deserve to be on your wall, desk or coffee table – and choosing the right photo print size can give the perfect shot the spotlight it deserves. Let’s break down all the standard photo print sizes out there to find the one that best suits your space.
What are the standard photo print sizes in Australia?
The most common photograph size in Australia is the 4×6” photo size (10 x 15 cm), which is widely used for small frames, photo albums and general prints. Other popular photo print sizes generally range between 5×7” (12.7 x 17.8 cm) and 20×30” (50 x 76 cm).
Check out our table below for a full breakdown of photo sizes in cm and inches:
| Photo print size in inches | Photo print size in mm | Photo print size in cm |
| 6 x 4″ | 100 x 150 mm | 10 x 15 cm |
| 5 x 7″ | 130 x 180 mm | 13 x 18 cm |
| 6 x 8” | 150 x 200 cm | 15 x 20 cm |
| 8 x 10” | 200 x 250 mm | 20 x 25 cm |
| 8 x 12” | 200 x 300 mm | 20 x 30 cm |
| 11 x 14” | 280 x 350 cm | 28 x 35 cm |
| 16 x 20” | 400 x 500 mm | 40 x 50 cm |
| 20 x 30” | 500 x 760 mm | 50 x 76 cm |
Not sure which photo print size to choose? We’ve got you. But first things first, you’ll need to consider the size and quality of the images you plan to use – which is where aspect ratios and image resolution comes in.
What are aspect ratios and why are they important?
Have you ever seen a group photo that looked oddly squished, or a landscape shot stretched beyond recognition? Chances are, those images were printed at the wrong aspect ratio. Simply put, an aspect ratio is the ratio between an image’s height and width, with 1:1 (square) as the baseline.
For the best results, we recommend choosing a photo print size that matches (or is close to) the original aspect ratio of your photos. This way, your images won’t be cropped or distorted once printed.
Smartphone cameras typically capture photos at a 4:3 aspect ratio, but modern ones also allow you to toggle between 1:1 for square images and 16:9 for wide, panoramic images.
Meanwhile, image resolution refers to the amount of detail an image holds – the higher the resolution, the crisper and clearer your printed photo will be. We recommend using photos with a minimum of 300 DPI (dots per inch). For larger prints viewed from a distance, a lower resolution like 150 DPI could also work.
With that out of the way, let’s talk about which photo print size works best for you, according to their recommended uses and ideal placements.
Stunning space-savers: 6×4”, 5×7” and 6×8” photo print sizes
If you want to decorate your space and keep it as tidy as ever, you can’t go wrong with the classic 6×4”, 6×8” or 5×7” print sizes. They’re compact enough to squeeze into any space, yet noticeable enough to catch people’s eye.
Most people favour the 6×4” photo print size for photo albums and general prints because it matches the aspect ratio of most cameras and phones. With this size, you can print your photos without your images getting cropped.
5×7” and 6×8” photo sizes may crop your photo slightly along the edges, but they’re still solid choices for larger portraits, coffee table photo books or tabletop centerpieces. Smaller print sizes are also great for displaying multiple photos at once. Think photo tiles featuring snapshots of your furbabies or photo blocks featuring your different travel destinations.
Professional head-turners: 8×10”, 8×12” and 11×14” photo print sizes
Looking for something with a little more presence? The 8×10” photo print size is a popular pick for professional portraits and gallery prints. For framed prints, the 11×14” size is generally more favoured, as the larger size delivers the visual impact needed for a great wall display.
If you want to tell a story with your artwork or photos, this size range is perfect for displaying a canvas print set dedicated to one theme.
Between the three sizes, you might need to crop your image significantly if you choose an 8×10” print size. If you’d like little to no cropping, we recommend choosing the 11×14” or 8×12” print sizes.
Elevate your walls: 16×20”, 20×30” and beyond
Weddings. Milestone birthdays. Awards and other big wins. Some things just belong on a bigger canvas, and photo print sizes from 16×20” and beyond are the perfect match. These large photo print sizes are ideal for wall art.
Whether you want to turn your wedding photo into a living room centerpiece or want to display art that elevates the ambiance of your restaurant, these photo print sizes can add oomph to your interior. But take note – larger photo prints require higher-quality photos. Using low-quality images might result in a blurry or distorted finish.
Unique photo print sizes
We’ve covered the standard photo print sizes, but there’s definitely more to explore out there. To name a few, VistaPrint offers photo books in a square format – which creates a more modern feel and encourages creative layouts. We even offer canvas prints in panoramic sizes (100 x 50 cm), perfect for reliving the nature sceneries or city landscapes from your last holiday.
You can even think outside the frame and print photos on unique surfaces like mugs, T-shirts, coasters and stubby holders. With our wide range of customisable photo gifts, you can treat yourself (or someone special) to something made just for them. Photo gifts also make great party favours for weddings, baby showers and all kinds of celebrations.
Mastering photo print sizes: Tips and tricks
Now that you know which print size is best for you, here are a few extra tips to make sure you get the best quality out of your printed photos:
- If your image has low resolution, opt for a smaller print size so it still comes out relatively crisp.
- Avoid upscaling your images. You may get the sizes to match, but the resulting image would appear blurry and distorted.
- Always use the original image file. Screenshots or downloads from Facebook and other social media platforms usually aren’t high enough quality for printing. Instead, use the raw image file as it appears in your gallery or folder.
