Frame size guide
40 × 50 cm frame
A 40 × 50 cm frame has an opening of 400 × 500 mm (15.75 × 19.69 inches). A widely stocked metric frame size, close to 16 × 20 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) | 340 × 440 | 13.39 × 17.32 | 352 × 452 |
| 40 mm (1.57 in) | 320 × 420 | 12.6 × 16.54 | 332 × 432 |
| 50 mm (1.97 in) | 300 × 400 | 11.81 × 15.75 | 312 × 412 |
| 60 mm (2.36 in) | 280 × 380 | 11.02 × 14.96 | 292 × 392 |
| 70 mm (2.76 in) | 260 × 360 | 10.24 × 14.17 | 272 × 372 |
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 | No standard size fits exactly - cut a custom sheet of 352 × 452 mm |
| 40 mm | No standard size fits exactly - cut a custom sheet of 332 × 432 mm |
| 50 mm | No standard size fits exactly - cut a custom sheet of 312 × 412 mm |
| 60 mm | A3, 12 × 16 inch |
| 70 mm | A3, Tabloid (Ledger), 12 × 16 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 40 × 50 cm frame?+
A 40 × 50 cm frame has an opening of 400 × 500 mm (15.75 × 19.69 inches). The visible image inside a mount will be smaller, depending on the border.
What size drawing fits a 40 × 50 cm frame with a mount?+
With a 50 mm border all round, the aperture is 300 × 400 mm, so the drawing sheet needs to be at least 312 × 412 mm to sit behind a mount overlapping by 6 mm.