Measuring guide
How to Measure a Picture Frame Correctly
Measure a frame in three places: the opening, the finished outside and the hanging hardware. Those measurements answer different questions and prevent the most common framing mistakes.
01
Measure the opening for the picture
Measure the visible opening from inside edge to inside edge, across the width and height. If a mat is present, measure the mat opening separately because it may be smaller than the paper behind it.
For a replacement print, measure the paper that needs to fit, not only the part you can see. A mat or frame lip may overlap the edge by design.
02
Measure the outside for the wall
Measure from the farthest outside edge to the opposite edge. Include the moulding but do not include the hanging wire or hook. This is the footprint you should tape on a wall or compare with furniture.
Finally, measure the distance from the top of the frame to the hanging point with the wire pulled taut. That tells you where the nail or hook needs to go.
See it before you order
Put the advice into a real frame.
Upload your picture, compare frame profiles and mats, and check the finished proportions before you commit.
Open the frame builderCommon questions
Do I measure the inside or outside of a picture frame?
Measure both. The inside opening determines the picture size; the outside dimensions determine the wall footprint.
Why is my frame opening smaller than the advertised size?
The advertised size generally refers to the picture or nominal opening. The lip of the frame or a mat intentionally overlaps the paper edge.
