Frame size guide
30 × 40 cm frame
A 30 × 40 cm frame has an opening of 300 × 400 mm (11.81 × 15.75 inches). A common metric frame size in Europe, close to 12 × 16 inches.
Mount aperture by border width
The wider the border, the smaller the visible image. All figures assume the mount overlaps the drawing sheet by 6 mm on every side.
| Border | Aperture (mm) | Aperture (in) | Sheet needed (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 mm (1.18 in) | 240 × 340 | 9.45 × 13.39 | 252 × 352 |
| 40 mm (1.57 in) | 220 × 320 | 8.66 × 12.6 | 232 × 332 |
| 50 mm (1.97 in) | 200 × 300 | 7.87 × 11.81 | 212 × 312 |
| 60 mm (2.36 in) | 180 × 280 | 7.09 × 11.02 | 192 × 292 |
| 70 mm (2.76 in) | 160 × 260 | 6.3 × 10.24 | 172 × 272 |
Many artists add a slightly deeper bottom border, around 10 to 20 percent more than the top and sides, so the picture sits comfortably. Use the frame and mount calculator to work it out with your own numbers.
Paper sizes that fit
| Border | Standard paper sizes that work behind the mount |
|---|---|
| 30 mm | 11 × 14 inch |
| 40 mm | 11 × 14 inch |
| 50 mm | US Legal, 11 × 14 inch |
| 60 mm | A4, US Legal, 9 × 12 inch, 11 × 14 inch |
| 70 mm | A4, US Letter, US Legal, 9 × 12 inch, 11 × 14 inch |
Framing tips
- Measure your actual frame before cutting a mount - sizes vary slightly between makers.
- Use acid-free mount board and a spacer so the drawing never touches the glass.
- Consider UV-filtering glazing for work on paper that will hang in daylight.
Full method: how to frame and mount a drawing. Choosing paper: archival paper for selling your drawings.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a 30 × 40 cm frame?+
A 30 × 40 cm frame has an opening of 300 × 400 mm (11.81 × 15.75 inches). The visible image inside a mount will be smaller, depending on the border.
What size drawing fits a 30 × 40 cm frame with a mount?+
With a 50 mm border all round, the aperture is 200 × 300 mm, so the drawing sheet needs to be at least 212 × 312 mm to sit behind a mount overlapping by 6 mm.