Paper size guide
12 × 16 inch paper size
12 × 16 inch measures 304.8 × 406.4 mm, which is 12 × 16 inches (30.48 × 40.64 cm). 12 × 16 inches is a standard frame and paper size, close to A3 in scale.
12 × 16 inch dimensions
| Millimetres | 304.8 × 406.4 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 30.48 × 40.64 cm |
| Inches | 12 × 16 in |
| Points | 864 × 1152 pt |
| Pixels at 72 dpi | 864 × 1152 px |
| Pixels at 150 dpi | 1800 × 2400 px |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 3600 × 4800 px |
| Proportion | 1 : 1.333 |
Drawing on 12 × 16 inch
A strong finished-drawing size: big enough for presence on a wall, small enough to manage layers of coloured pencil in a sensible time.
Typical uses: finished coloured pencil work, framed pieces, portraits.
Usable drawing area with a margin
Most artists leave a margin so the drawing can be mounted and the edges stay clean.
| Margin | Drawing area (mm) | Drawing area (in) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 mm all round | 284.8 × 386.4 | 11.21 × 15.21 |
| 20 mm all round | 264.8 × 366.4 | 10.43 × 14.43 |
| 30 mm all round | 244.8 × 346.4 | 9.64 × 13.64 |
To copy a reference photo accurately onto 12 × 16 inch, try the grid drawing tool, which scales a grid to your paper size. Choosing paper? See the best paper for coloured pencils and paper weight explained.
Framing 12 × 16 inch
A 12 × 16 inch frame takes 12 × 16 inch unmounted. For a mounted drawing, the mount overlaps the sheet by roughly 6 mm each side, so the visible image (aperture) is about 292.8 × 394.4 mm.
Standard frames that leave at least 20 mm of mount border around a 12 × 16 inch sheet:
| Frame | Side border | Top and bottom |
|---|---|---|
| A2 | 63.6 mm | 99.8 mm |
| A1 | 150.6 mm | 223.3 mm |
| 16 × 20 inch | 56.8 mm | 56.8 mm |
| 18 × 24 inch | 82.2 mm | 107.6 mm |
| 20 × 24 inch | 107.6 mm | 107.6 mm |
Try your own numbers in the frame and mount calculator, or read how to frame and mount a drawing.
Frequently asked questions
What size is 12 × 16 inch in inches?+
12 × 16 inch is 12 × 16 inches (304.8 × 406.4 mm, or 30.48 × 40.64 cm).
What is 12 × 16 inch in pixels?+
At 72 dpi 12 × 16 inch is 864 × 1152 pixels, at 150 dpi it is 1800 × 2400, and at 300 dpi it is 3600 × 4800. Use 300 dpi to scan or print artwork at full quality.
How much of the sheet can I draw on at 12 × 16 inch?+
With a 20 mm margin around the edge, the drawing area on 12 × 16 inch is 264.8 × 366.4 mm. Leave more if you plan to mount the drawing, because a mount overlaps the paper by around 6 mm on each side.