A 5×7 frame holds a print measuring 5 inches wide by 7 inches tall, which is the same as 12.7 x 17.8 cm.
A 5×7 print fits its frame with almost no wiggle room, so a mat or thick frame lip shrinks the visible image. Whether that matters depends on how the frame was sold and how much of your print you’re willing to lose. Below: the exact print size, the mat problem, and the file you need to print your own.
What Size Is A 5×7 Frame In Inches And Centimeters?
Frame and print share the same nominal size: 5 inches wide by 7 inches tall, equal to 127 x 177.8 mm or 12.7 x 17.8 cm. Some manufacturers round the metric figure to 13 x 18 cm — close enough for shopping, not for cutting a mat.
A 5×7 frame fits a 5×7 print exactly with no mat, which is why this size is sold as a no-mat frame more often than not. The aspect ratio is 5:7, narrower than the 4:6 of a 4×6 snapshot, so the two are not interchangeable without cropping.
Orientation is a labeling question, not a size question. A 5×7 is portrait by default; a 7×5 frame is the same rectangle turned sideways for landscape. A frame with hanging hardware usually supports both, but a tabletop easel frame often stands only one way.
Does A Mat Change The Visible Image Size?
Yes — a mat covers the outer edge of your print, so a matted 5×7 frame shows less than the full 5×7. Frame Destination’s sizing guide gives roughly 4.5 x 6.5 inches visible for a matted 5×7 frame, meaning the borders eat about a quarter-inch on each side.
That overlap is deliberate: a mat opening is cut smaller than the print so the print sits behind it without falling through. The same logic applies to the rabbet — the inner lip of the frame that holds everything in place. Both reduce what the viewer sees.
- No-mat frame: the full 5×7 print is visible, edge to edge.
- Matted frame: the opening is typically smaller, often around 4.5 x 6.5 inches.
- Rabbet overlap: the frame lip covers a sliver of the print all the way around.
The fix is simple: if any part of your photo can’t be cropped, buy a no-mat frame or order the mat cut to your exact print. If the edges are expendable, a matted frame looks more finished and protects the print from touching the glass.
Frame-By-Frame Comparison Of Visible Area
| Frame Type | Visible Print Area | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| No-mat 5×7 frame | Full 5 x 7 in (12.7 x 17.8 cm) | Edge-to-edge photos, posters, prints you can’t crop |
| Matted 5×7 frame | Roughly 4.5 x 6.5 in | Portraits and gifts where a gallery look matters |
| Frame with wide border | Varies by product; often under 4.5 x 6.5 in | Decorative display where the frame itself is the point |
| Oversized outer frame | Still 5 x 7 in if the opening is 5×7 | Wall groupings that need matching outside edges |
| 7×5 (landscape) frame | Full 7 x 5 in, rotated | Wide shots and text-heavy prints |
Outer dimensions are the wild card: two frames labeled 5×7 can have completely different outside measurements depending on border width, so a set of three hanging side by side may not line up. Measure the outer edge before buying a matching set, and check that listing images show the same border thickness across the range.
If you’re picking one to buy, this roundup of the best 5×7 poster frame options tested covers border widths and mounting hardware side by side.
What File Size Do You Need For A 5×7 Print?
A 5×7 print at 300 DPI needs a file of at least 1500 x 2100 pixels, per Shotkit’s print-size guidance. Anything smaller gets upscaled by the printer, and the softness shows most in fine detail like hair, fabric texture, or small type.
At 150 DPI the requirement halves to roughly 750 x 1050 pixels — fine for a print viewed from a few feet away but noticeably soft up close. For a desk frame where people lean in, stay at 300 DPI.
Two more details: material and hardware vary by product (some 5×7 frames ship with tempered glass and hanging hardware rated for portrait or landscape, others use acrylic and a fold-out easel), so read the listing rather than assuming. Also confirm the frame’s stated size refers to the opening, not the outer edge; a frame marketed at 5×7 with a 1-inch border is roughly 7×9 on the wall.
FAQs
Will a 4×6 photo fit in a 5×7 frame?
It fits inside the opening but will not fill it. The 4×6 print is a different aspect ratio, so you’ll see a gap unless you use a mat cut for 4×6 or crop the photo to 5:7. A 5×7 frame is designed around a print measuring exactly 5 inches by 7 inches.
Is a 5×7 frame the same as 13×18 cm?
Close, but not exact. The true metric equivalent is 12.7 x 17.8 cm, and some manufacturers round that to 13 x 18 cm on the label. The difference is a couple of millimeters per side — rarely an issue for display, but it can matter if you’re ordering a custom-cut mat.
Can I hang a 5×7 frame both ways?
Only if the frame includes hardware for both orientations. Frames with a sawtooth hanger or a two-point wire usually support portrait and landscape, while tabletop frames with a fixed easel stand one way. Check the product listing for the hardware included before assuming.
References & Sources
- Frame Destination. “Picture Frame Sizes Guide” Supports standard print-size relationships and nominal frame sizing.
- Frame Destination. “Guide to Frame and Mat Dimensions for Common Print Sizes” Supports the roughly 4.5 x 6.5 inch visible opening for a matted 5×7 frame.
- Shotkit. “How Big Is a 5×7 Photo?” Supports the 1500 x 2100 pixel minimum file size at 300 DPI.