How to Measure the Outside Dimension of a Picture Frame
Art and math may seem like odd bedfellows. However, understanding how to properly measure and choose the right size frame for your art marries the two. Regardless of whether you choose the frame profile based on one's own artistic style, the event, or the venue, it is important to make sure the size of the frame complements the art. This separates the art-show-ready professionals and seasoned decorators with a keen eye for detail from the amateurs.
If you're submitting art to a gallery or setting up a booth for an art show, one of the most important measurements you should be concerned with is the outside dimensions of your framing package. This is also crucial for Interior Decorators which often need the framed piece of art to accompany a piece of furniture or fit within a space such as a fireplace or niche.
What Are the Outside Dimensions of a Picture Frame?
It’s the exterior dimension of the frame moulding, measured from edge to edge of the picture frame.
This is often confused with the picture frame size, which typically refers to the outside dimension of what is INSIDE the picture frame.
The reason the outside dimensions of a picture frame are so important is because galleries and art fair booths have a limited amount of wall space available to exhibit art. Knowing the outside dimensions of each piece of framed artwork makes the process of setting up an art exhibit or display booth much easier.
Let's Calculate the Outside Dimensions of a Complete Picture Frame
A complete picture frame is a framing package containing a mounted piece of art within a picture frame. It may or may not have a mat board and glazing (the glass or acrylic portion of the frame package).
The two main measurements needed to calculate the outside dimensions of a picture frame package are:
- Outside dimension of the components (what you are framing, i.e. art plus mat)
- Width of the picture frame moulding
Example:
- The outside dimension of what you are framing measures 11 inches wide by 14 inches high.
- Your picture frame moulding is one inch wide.
Now comes a little bit of algebra (stay with me!) with its golden rule: Whatever you do to one side, you must do to the other. Because you are dealing with a top/bottom and left/right sides, you double whatever you add.
The equations for our 11x14-inch artwork example are as follows:
| 11" | + | (1" + 1") | = | 13" wide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artwork width | Frame moulding width |
| 14" | + | (1" + 1") | = | 16" high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artwork height | Frame moulding width |
The general outside dimension of this picture frame is 13 inches wide x 16 inches high.
If you need more extreme precision — down to the one-eighth inch — you will need to know how much larger the framer cuts the picture frame moulding so that the components fit properly inside. At Frame Destination, we cut each stick of moulding 1/16-inch larger, so you’d need to add 1/8-inch to each side.
Using the above example:
| 13" | + | (1/16" + 1/16") | = | 13 1/8" wide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artwork width | Frame moulding width |
| 16" | + | (1/16" + 1/16") | = | 16 1/8" high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artwork height | Frame moulding width |
The more precise outside dimensions of this picture frame are 13 1/8 inches wide x 16 1/8 inches high.
SPECIAL NOTE: Frame pieces are joined at the corners in a 45 degree mitre cut; therefore the outside length of the fame is always larger than the inside length of the frame. If an artwork is 14 inches wide (inside width of frame), the outside width of the frame is 1.5 inches longer on each end to accommodate the joining of the frame pieces at 45 degrees.
Now Let's Calculate the Outside Dimensions of Canvas Floater Frames
A canvas in a floater frame is a type of framing package where a gallery-wrapped canvas is displayed within a floater frame. The floater frame is cut larger than the canvas, creating the illusion that the canvas is “floating” within the frame. This type of frame allows the entire front surface of the canvas to be visible and adds prestige to the display.
The three main measurements needed to calculate the outside dimension of a canvas floater frame package are:
- Outside dimension of the canvas
- Float space (space between the canvas and the inside edge of the frame)
- Width of the picture frame moulding
Example:
- The outside dimension of the canvas measures 18 inches wide x 24 inches high.
- The float space is ½ inch.
- The picture frame moulding is 1 ½ inches wide.
Remember the golden rule—do unto one side what you do to the other—and double what you add!
The equations are as follows:
| 18" | + | (½" + ½") | + | (1 ½" + 1 ½") | = | 22" wide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artwork width | Float Space | Frame moulding width |
| 24" | + | (½" + ½") | + | (1 ½" + 1 ½") | = | 28" high |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artwork height | Float Space | Frame moulding width |
The outside dimension of this picture frame is 22 inches wide x 28 inches high.
This wraps up today’s mini-lesson on calculating the outside dimension of framed artwork. For your convenience, all of Frame Destination’s picture frame moulding dimensions are available. Remember that custom frames can also be created. Please feel free to contact us with questions at any time!
Last Updated February 15, 2024
Written by Joely Rogers
Joely C. Rogers is an artist/illustrator and writer living in the mountains of western North Carolina. She has professional training in both natural science illustration and the culinary arts, as well as graduate academic training in education, sociolinguistics, and folklore/storytelling. She is a Blue Ridge Naturalist candidate with the North Carolina Arboretum and a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators.