FRAME SIZE FOR AN A5 PRINT

A5 is the smallest A-series size commonly used for art prints and postcards. At 14.8×21 cm (5.83×8.27 inches), it is exactly half an A4 sheet. On its own, an A5 print is too small to make a visual impact on a wall — but add a generous mount and a well-chosen frame, and it becomes a charming accent piece. A mount is strongly recommended at this size: it prevents the framed piece from looking like a mounted business card. Without a mount, you need an A5 frame (14.8×21 cm). With a 5 cm mount border, the frame becomes 24.8×31 cm. Use the calculator below for your preferred mount width.

QUICK REFERENCE: A5

Inches

5.83" × 8.27"

Centimetres

14.8 × 21 cm

Frame without mount

5.83" × 8.27"

Frame with 2" mount

9.83" × 12.27"

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 Size5.83" × 8.27"
Mount Opening5.33" × 7.77"
Mount Outer9.83" × 12.27"
Frame Size Needed9.83" × 12.27"

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

Frame: 9.83" × 12.27"

5.83" × 8.27"
Frame
Mount
Poster

WHERE TO DISPLAY AN A5 PRINT

A5 prints are at their best in intimate spaces where you can appreciate them up close. Place one on a desk, a bookshelf, a bedside table, or a bathroom shelf. Picture ledges are ideal for A5 — lean two or three framed prints side by side, overlapping slightly, for a relaxed arrangement you can rearrange without drilling new holes. In a gallery wall, A5 prints work as supporting pieces around a larger anchor print (A3 or A2). Keep them towards the outer edges of the arrangement or use them to fill awkward gaps between bigger frames. Staircase walls also suit A5: a column of three A5 prints ascending with the stairs creates a rhythmic pattern. Keep frames consistent in finish (all black, all white, or all natural wood) when grouping small prints together — mixed frames at this scale can look cluttered rather than eclectic.

PRINTS CLOSE TO A5

Our smallest print, the 8×12 inch (20×30 cm, from £19.99), is roughly between A5 and A4 in area. It is available with optional wooden or black framing.

FRAMING TIPS

At A5, frame choice matters more than at larger sizes because the frame-to-artwork ratio is high. A slim moulding (10–15 mm) keeps the focus on the print. Wider mouldings can overwhelm such a small image. Clip frames are cheap but look it — invest in a proper frame with glass for anything you want to display long-term. White or cream mounts work with almost any artwork. For a contemporary feel, try a float mount that leaves a thin gap between the print edge and the mount opening, showing the paper edge.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is A5 in inches?
A5 is 5.83×8.27 inches (14.8×21 cm). It is smaller than any standard US poster size — the closest comparison is a 5×7 inch photo print, though A5 is slightly larger in both dimensions.
Should I always use a mount with an A5 print?
It is strongly recommended. Without a mount, an A5 frame is about the size of a small paperback book — easy to overlook on a wall. A 5 cm mount border nearly doubles the visual footprint and gives the artwork proper presence. A generous mount (6–7 cm) works even better for wall display.
Can I put an A5 print in an A4 frame with a mount?
Yes. An A4 frame measures 21×29.7 cm. An A5 print (14.8×21 cm) inside an A4 frame gives uneven borders — about 3.1 cm on the sides and 4.35 cm top and bottom. For even borders, cut a custom mount or use our calculator to find the ideal frame size.

OTHER POSTER SIZES

View all sizes in the full calculator →

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