SPICYEDITIONS

FRAME SIZE FOR A 16×20 PHOTO

The 16×20 inch print (40.6×50.8 cm) is the large-format standard for photography. It is the size galleries choose for solo exhibitions, the size wedding photographers recommend for hero images, and the size fine art collectors frame for living rooms. At 16×20, the print has enough visual weight to work without a mount, though adding one gives it a polished gallery finish. Without a mount, you need a 16×20 inch frame. With a 3-inch mount border, the frame becomes 22×26 inches. Use the calculator below for your preferred mount width.

QUICK REFERENCE: 16×20"

Inches

16" × 20"

Centimetres

40.6 × 50.8 cm

Frame without mount

16" × 20"

Frame with 2" mount

20" × 24"

CALCULATE YOUR FRAME SIZE

CALCULATE YOUR FRAME SIZE

Standard mount borders are 2–3". The Fine Art Trade Guild recommends a minimum of 2".

YOUR DIMENSIONS

Poster Size16" × 20"
Mount Opening15.5" × 19.5"
Mount Outer20" × 24"
Frame Size Needed20" × 24"

Mount opening accounts for a 0.25" overlap per side — the mount lip that holds the poster in place.

Frame: 20" × 24"

16" × 20"
Frame
Mount
Poster

WHERE TO HANG A 16×20 PRINT

A 16×20 print is a large piece that anchors a room. Hang it above a sofa, fireplace mantel, or bed headboard as a centrepiece. In a living room, the wall section should be at least 80 cm wide to give the frame breathing room. Above a sofa, position the bottom of the frame 15–20 cm above the sofa back. A single 16×20 print works as a standalone feature, but it also pairs well in a diptych: two 16×20 prints side by side with a 10 cm gap span about 95 cm, filling a wide wall section above a console table or sideboard. In a dining room, hang a landscape-oriented 16×20 on the wall facing the table as a conversation piece. For a home office, this size makes a strong backdrop for video calls when positioned behind your chair.

PRINTS CLOSE TO 16×20

Our 16×24 inch prints (£25.99) are the same width as 16×20, just 4 inches taller. Available with optional wooden or black framing for a polished finish.

battersea power station Bollywood-style poster by SpicyEditions
battersea power station
piccadilly circus Bollywood-style poster by SpicyEditions
piccadilly circus
camden town Bollywood-style poster by SpicyEditions
camden town

FRAMING TIPS

16×20 is a standard frame size that is easy to find on the high street and online. For photography, a medium moulding (20–30 mm) in black or dark wood is the classic choice. A wide white mount (3 inches) draws the eye into the image and creates separation from the wall. For wedding or family photos, consider a double mount — an inner mount in a contrasting colour (thin strip of charcoal or gold) adds a subtle border of distinction. At this size, museum glass (anti-reflective, UV-filtering) is worth the investment if the print will hang in a room with strong lighting.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is 16×20 the same as A3?
No. A 16×20 inch print is 40.6×50.8 cm, while A3 is 29.7×42 cm. 16×20 is significantly larger than A3 in both dimensions. A 16×20 print will not fit in an A3 frame.
What is the difference between 16×20 and 16×24?
Both are 16 inches wide. A 16×20 print is 4 inches shorter than a 16×24 poster. The aspect ratio differs: 16×20 is 4:5 (the same as an 8×10), while 16×24 is 2:3. A 16×20 print will leave a 4-inch gap at the top of a 16×24 frame.
Should I use a mount with a 16×20 print?
It depends on the look you are after. Without a mount, the framed piece is compact and modern — about 17×21 inches with a typical moulding. With a 3-inch mount, the frame grows to 22×26 inches, adding a refined gallery feel. Photography and fine art generally look better with a mount. Graphic prints and posters often look fine without.

OTHER POSTER SIZES

8×12"16×24"24×36"27×40" (Movie)11×17" (Tabloid)18×24"

View all sizes in the full calculator →

READY TO FIND YOUR POSTER?

Browse our collection of Bollywood-style art prints of London and UK locations. Available in multiple sizes with optional framing.

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