Frame Size Between 5×7 and 8×10 | The Missing Standard Size

That’s why a surprising number of people solve the same problem differently — by putting a 5×7 print inside an 8×10 frame with a mat opening cut for 5×7. Each approach works, and which one you pick depends on whether you want a true 6×8 print or you’re just trying to display a 5×7 with extra matting around it.

How 5×7, 6×8, and 8×10 Compare

All three sizes are standard US photo-frame dimensions, but they differ in shape, not just scale. The aspect ratios are the tell: 5×7 is proportioned 5:7, 6×8 runs 3:4, and 8×10 sits at 4:5. Each one is a slightly different rectangle, so a print made for one won’t fit another without cropping or matting.

Here’s how the sizes stack up in inches, centimeters, and typical use.

Why Most Buyers Skip 6×8 and Use a Mat Instead

The honest reason 6×8 gets skipped is availability. So the practical route becomes matting: a 5×7 print fits a 5×7 frame with no mat, and an 8×10 frame with a 5×7 mat opening is the standard way to display that print with a decorative border.

Both display methods are legitimate. The real question is what you own: if you have a 6×8 print, you need a 6×8 frame; if you have a 5×7 print, you can drop it straight into a 5×7 frame or dress it up inside an 8×10 matted frame. Buyers looking to display an 8×10 print in an oval frame can see the top options in our best 8×10 oval frame roundup for tested recommendations.

The Frame-Size Trap That Catches Online Shoppers

Before you order, know that “frame size” doesn’t always mean the same thing. Some sellers list the inside opening that matches the print exactly — a frame listed as 8×10 holds an 8×10 print. Others list the outer frame dimensions, which means the actual opening is smaller than the label suggests. A third group lists a frame size with a mat opening that’s a different size entirely, like an 8×10 frame with a 5×7 mat.

The fix is simple — check the product description for the phrase “mat opening” or “fits print size.” If it says the frame holds an 8×10 photo, you’re safe. If it lists outer dimensions, measure twice before you commit.

That makes 6×8 a natural fit for enlarging smaller snapshots without awkward cropping, even if it’s less common on store shelves than its neighbors.