Anyone who has ordered a print online knows the disappointment of a frame that doesn’t fit. Most frame labels describe the artwork size, not the outside dimensions, so a 6×4 frame can look far smaller than the numbers suggest.
Standard frame price: £5.95–£15 depending on size and material · Most popular UK size: 6×4 inches (15.2 x 10.2 cm · Materials: wood, metal, plastic · One seller’s range: over 30 sizes, from 6×4 to A3 · Made-to-measure delivery: 2–5 working days
Quick snapshot
- 6×4 inches equals 15.2 x 10.2 cm (Maxphoto (UK photo-printing specialist))
- A4 equals 21 x 29.7 cm (IKEA UK (home-furnishing retailer))
- Frame labels refer to the held image size, not the outside dimensions (EasyFrame (UK framing retailer))
- Exact Asda frame stock at any single store
- Amazon’s current promotional pricing, which changes frequently
- Made-to-measure delivery times outside UK mainland
- Picture Frames Direct has built made-to-measure frames since 1999 (Picture Frames Direct)
- Custom frames typically ship in 2–5 working days (Picture Frames Direct)
- Measure your print before choosing a frame style
- Compare standard frames against made-to-measure for odd sizes
- Check supermarket ranges like Asda for A4 and 10×8
Nine numbers decide most purchases, and one pattern runs through all of them: the label names the artwork, not the footprint.
| Measurement | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 6×4 in cm | 15.24 x 10.16 | Maxphoto (UK photo-printing specialist) |
| 7×5 in cm | 17.8 x 12.7 | Maxphoto (size conversion list) |
| 10×8 in cm | 25.4 x 20.3 | Maxphoto (size conversion list) |
| A4, A3, A2 in cm | 21 x 29.7, 29.7 x 42, 42 x 59.4 | IKEA UK (home-furnishing retailer) |
| Typical mount border | 2.5 – 8 cm per side | EasyFrame (UK framing retailer) |
| Standard frame price | £5.95 – £15 | Photozone.co.uk (retailer listing) |
| Made-to-measure starting price | approx £20 | Picture Frames Direct (specialist framer) |
| Made-to-measure delivery | 2–5 working days | Picture Frames Direct (specialist framer) |
| Free delivery threshold | orders over £100 | Homeliving.co.uk (UK homeware retailer) |
What Sizes Are Photo Frames Available In?
Standard photo frame sizes in inches and cm
- 6×4 inches – 15.2 x 10.2 cm, the size most UK photo prints come back from the lab (Maxphoto)
- 7×5 inches – 17.8 x 12.7 cm, a common step up from 6×4 (Maxphoto)
- 10×8 inches – 25.4 x 20.3 cm, suited to larger prints (Maxphoto)
- A4 – 21 x 29.7 cm, a standard for documents and certificates (Adobe Express UK (design tool’s framing guide))
- A3 – 29.7 x 42 cm, popular for larger prints and posters (Adobe Express UK (design tool’s measure guide))
- A1 – 59.4 x 84.1 cm, a wall-scale size for posters (IKEA UK)
A “200 x 300 mm” label does not describe the frame you will hang. EasyFrame is blunt on this point: the stated size is the artwork size the frame is designed to hold, and the finished outer dimensions are larger once the moulding is added. With a mount, the frame grows again, because the mount border — commonly 1 to 3 inches, or 2.5 to 8 cm per side — sits between the image and the moulding.
A frame sold as “200 x 300 mm” holds a 200 x 300 mm print; the outer size is always larger. If you are hanging a set side by side, measure the outside of the finished frames — the labels will mislead you every time.
Why 6×4 is the most common photo print size
- 6×4 frames are made for the size that UK photo labs print by default, so supply is everywhere (Maxphoto)
- Adobe Express UK describes the 6×4 frame as the common choice for everyday photographs and prints (Adobe Express UK (design tool’s framing guide))
- Multi-pack 6×4 frames are sold in sets of 3, 5 or 5 or 10 at supermarkets and online stores, which pushes the per-frame cost down
In practice this makes 6×4 the easiest possible first frame: cheap, everywhere, and forgiving when you want a quick swap on the mantelpiece.
Where to find size guides online
- IKEA UK’s “right picture frame” guide walks through the full A-series, from A6 to A1
- Maxphoto keeps a conversion list for the imperial sizes British buyers still order by — 6×4, 7×5 and 7×5 and 10×8
- Adobe Express UK’s framing library matches each size to its typical use
The pattern is simple: once you know that the label refers to the print and not the frame, the right size starts with the artwork, never the wall. Work backwards from the photo and the frame choice narrows fast.
The implication: labels dictate the fit, so always measure the frame before hanging.
Where Can I Find Made to Measure Photo Frames?
Custom photo frame services from specialist retailers
- Picture Frames Direct has built made-to-measure frames since 1999 and describes itself as a “Family Run Business with 25 Years of Experience”
- Custom orders let you choose the size, colour and material in one go
- Bootsphoto sells personalised frames for digital photos
- Specialist framers price by the frame size, which is why made-to-measure starts at around £20
These services exist for one reason: standard sizes only fit standard prints. The moment your photo is panoramic, oversized, or a non-standard ratio, a made-to-measure frame is the only way to get a clean fit without trimming the image.
Custom framing costs more and takes a few days; off-the-shelf frames are cheaper and instant. For a 6×4 or A4 print, the standard frame is the rational buy. For anything else, the made-to-measure route removes the gap between the label and the fit.
Typical lead time and pricing for custom frames
- Estimated delivery from Picture Frames Direct is 2–5 working days
- Starting price for made-to-measure is roughly £20, before glazing and mount upgrades
- Moulding width, mount depth and glazing type each add to the final cost
Compare that with a standard frame from a supermarket, where the price sits at £5.95–£15 and the wait is zero. The custom route costs more because it involves cutting, joining and checking to the millimetre — the price buys certainty, not brand.
What this means: made-to-measure framing is a fit tool, not a luxury line. The premium buys exactness, and for odd sizes it is the only honest option.
The pattern: custom framing meets a need that off-the-shelf cannot solve.
Does Asda Sell A4 Photo Frames?
Asda photo frames A4 availability and price
- Asda’s homeware range includes A4 photo frames, typically priced under £10
- A4 is the frame size for documents, certificates and digital artwork, a step up from the 6×4 photo print (Adobe Express UK (design tool’s framing guide))
- A4 in centimetres is 21 x 29.7, so check the wall space before you buy
Asda’s frames are budget items in the practical sense: they do the job, hang straight, and cost less than a takeaway coffee. The design range is smaller than a specialist’s, so expect classic blacks, wood tones and metallics rather than bold colour.
Asda photo frames 10 x 8 product details
- Asda also stocks 10×8 frames in its homeware section
- 10×8 inches equals 25.4 x 20.3 cm, which suits larger prints and smaller posters
- 10×8 is a natural next step when 6×4 feels too small for the wall
One caution: the term “10 x 8” appears in both orientations on retail listings, so read the product title before checkout. For a single frame, grab it at the supermarket. For a whole wall, order online so the lengths, sizes and colours arrive at the same time instead of relying on whatever the local branch has.
Asda gives you the size at a budget price, but the range rewards the practical buyer. If you need a specific moulding colour, check the online listing before driving anywhere.
The implication: budget frames cover the basics well; go custom for anything unusual.
Ordering a Made to Measure Frame, Step by Step
Measure the print, not the frame
6×4: 15.2 x 10.2 cm · A4: 21 x 29.7 cm · Mount border: 2.5–8 cm per side
- Measure the exact width and height of the print in millimetres or centimetres.
- Decide whether you want a mount; a mount adds a visible border inside the frame.
- If using a mount, add 2.5–8 cm per side so the aperture sits in the right place.
- Submit the artwork dimensions to the framer, not the outside size of an old frame you are replacing.
This is the step where most orders go wrong. The framer builds the frame to the dimensions you provide, and if you send the outside measurement of a previous frame, the new frame comes back too large.
Choose material, colour and glazing
- Wood: classic, heavier, more expensive
- Metal: modern, lightweight, durable
- Plastic: affordable, lightweight, less durable
Keep the print’s subject in mind. A heavy wood moulding suits a heritage look; a thin metal profile keeps the attention on a bright, modern photo.
Place the order and plan for delivery
- Specialist framers like Picture Frames Direct build to your dimensions instead of pulling from a shelf
- Delivery estimates typically run 2–5 working days
- Save your measurements after ordering — you will want the same frame again for a matching print
Why this matters: the made-to-measure order only goes wrong in one place, the measurement. Get that right and the 2–5 day wait becomes the easy part.
What this means: precision upfront saves time and cost later.
What’s Confirmed and What’s Unclear About Photo Frames
Confirmed facts
- 6×4 inches equals 15.2 x 10.2 cm (Maxphoto (UK photo-printing specialist))
- 10×8 inches equals 25.4 x 20.3 cm (Maxphoto)
- A4 equals 21 x 29.7 cm (IKEA UK)
- Frame labels refer to the held image size, not the outside dimensions (EasyFrame (UK framing retailer))
- Mount borders commonly run 2.5–8 cm per side (EasyFrame (UK framing retailer))
What’s unclear
- Exact Asda frame stock at any given store
- Amazon’s current promotional pricing, which changes frequently
- Delivery lead times for made-to-measure frames outside mainland UK
- Whether a budget frame ships with glass or acrylic until the listing says so
- Which cheap multi-packs use real wood rather than wood-effect plastic
For most buyers, the clarity is enough: the sizes are standard, the labels are predictable, and the uncertainties sit at the edges — store stock, promotions and delivery geography.
What Retailers and Experts Say
“Family Run Business with 25 years Experience.”
Picture Frames Direct (made-to-measure framing specialist)
“Photo frames from £5.95… Every frame size from 6×4 to A3.”
Photozone.co.uk (UK photo-frame retailer)
“A4 measures 210 x 297 mm, or 21 x 29.7 cm.”
IKEA UK (home-furnishing retailer)
Three sources, one consistent picture: the UK frame market splits cleanly between budget standard sizes and specialist custom work, and the size language is the same in both camps.
Matching the Frame to the Print
For UK buyers, the choice is clear once the print is measured. For standard sizes — 6×4, 7×5, A4, 10×8 — off-the-shelf frames from Asda or Amazon are fast, cheap and perfectly fine. For anything outside those sizes, order made to measure from a specialist like Picture Frames Direct: it costs more and takes 2–5 working days, but it is the only way to keep the full image without a visible gap or a trimmed edge.
Related reading
- Photo Frame Sizes UK Guide – Maxphoto’s conversion guide for common UK sizes
- How to Find the Right Picture Frame – IKEA’s guide to A-series frame sizing
The implication: once you measure, the choice between budget and custom is straightforward.
Related reading: Photo Frame Sizes UK Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common photo frame size in the UK?
6×4 inches (15.2 x 10.2 cm) tops the list, because it matches the default print size from most UK photo labs and online print services.
Are photo frames from Asda good quality?
Asda’s frames are budget-priced (typically under £10) and cover A4 and 10×8 sizes. They are perfectly fine for everyday photos; the trade-off is a smaller range of moulding colours than a specialist framer offers.
How do I measure my print for a made to measure frame?
Measure the exact artwork width and height, then decide on a mount. If you want a mount, add roughly 2.5–8 cm per side so the finished frame has room for the border, and give the framer the artwork size, not the outside size (EasyFrame).
Do photo frames come with glass or acrylic?
Most mass-market frames ship with either glass or acrylic glazing, and the product description usually states which. Acrylic is lighter and less likely to shatter in delivery, while glass is more scratch-resistant for daily handling.
Can I buy photo frames in multi packs?
Yes. Supermarkets like Asda and online retailers like Amazon sell multi-packs of 6×4 frames in sets of 3, 5 or 10, which brings the per-frame cost well below buying singles.
Are made to measure frames worth the extra cost?
For standard sizes such as 6×4 or A4, often not — an off-the-shelf frame is cheaper and instant. For non-standard prints, panoramic shots, or sizes with no retail equivalent, made-to-measure is the only clean fit, with prices starting around £20.
What is the difference between a picture frame and a photo frame?
In most UK listings the terms are interchangeable. “Photo frame” usually implies a size matched to photographic prints — 6×4, 7×5, 10×8 — while “picture frame” more often covers A-series sizes for documents and artwork.
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.