A 30 x 40 cm frame holds a picture measuring 30 × 40 cm, which is 11.8 × 15.7 inches. It's a 3:4 shape, the same as most phone photos, and one of the most popular frame sizes in the UK for prints and photographs. In the US the nearest equivalent is 12 x 16 inches (30.5 × 40.6 cm), which is a few millimetres bigger.
Below: the size in every unit, what fits with and without a mount, how big it looks on the wall, and the sizes it gets confused with.
In this guide
30 x 40 cm in every unit
| Unit | Width × height (portrait) |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 30 × 40 cm |
| Millimetres | 300 × 400 mm |
| Inches | 11.8 × 15.7 in |
| Shape | 3:4, the same as most phone photos |
Sizes it gets confused with
| Size | Centimetres | Difference from 30 x 40 cm |
|---|---|---|
| 12 x 16 inches | 30.5 × 40.6 | 0.5 cm wider, 0.6 cm taller |
| A3 | 29.7 × 42 | 0.3 cm narrower, 2 cm taller |
| 11 x 14 inches | 27.9 × 35.6 | 2.1 cm narrower, 4.4 cm shorter |
| 30 x 45 cm | 30 × 45 | Same width, 5 cm taller |
The one to watch is A3. It's almost the same width but 2 cm taller, so an A3 print won't fit a 30 x 40 cm frame. A 12 x 16 inch print from a US shop is a few millimetres too big too, so measure it before ordering. In the UK we make this frame at exactly 30 × 40 cm; in our US store the same frame is sold as 12 x 16 inches.
What fits in a 30 x 40 cm frame
| Picture | Mount border |
|---|---|
| 30 × 40 cm print | None, fills the frame |
| A4 print | About 4.5 cm at the sides, 5.2 cm top and bottom |
| 10x8 photo | About 4.9 cm at the sides, 7.3 cm top and bottom |
A4 in a 30 x 40 cm frame gives a nearly even border, which is why it's a popular way to frame an A4 print. To frame a 30 x 40 cm print with a mount, go up to a 40 x 50 cm frame: it gives an even 5 cm border all round.
How big it looks on the wall
| Moulding width | Outside size of the frame |
|---|---|
| Slim, 20 mm | About 34 × 44 cm |
| Medium, 35 mm | About 37 × 47 cm |
| Wide, 50 mm | About 40 × 50 cm |
A single 30 x 40 cm frame suits a hallway, a desk wall, a bathroom or the space beside a window. Above a sofa or bed it works best in a pair or a row of three, or as part of a gallery wall. Our wall art size guide shows how to scale art to furniture.
30 x 40 cm in pixels
| Resolution | Pixels (portrait) |
|---|---|
| 300 ppi (high quality) | 3543 × 4724 px |
| 150 ppi | 1772 × 2362 px |
Our pixels to print size calculator will check a specific file.
Browse our 30 x 40 cm frames, handmade to order by Guild Certified Framers. Tap Preview Your Own Artwork on any of them to see your picture in the frame first.
Key takeaways
- 30 x 40 cm is 11.8 × 15.7 inches, a 3:4 shape.
- 12 x 16 inches is close but a few millimetres bigger.
- A3 is 2 cm taller and won't fit a 30 x 40 cm frame.
- An A4 print in a 30 x 40 cm frame gives a nearly even mount border.
- Framed, it's about 34 × 44 cm to 40 × 50 cm on the wall.
Common questions
How big is a 30 x 40 cm frame in inches?
It holds a picture of 11.8 × 15.7 inches. The outside of the frame is bigger by the moulding width.
Is 30 x 40 cm the same as 12 x 16 inches?
Nearly. 12 x 16 inches is 30.5 × 40.6 cm, a few millimetres bigger, so measure an inch-sized print before ordering.
Will an A3 print fit a 30 x 40 cm frame?
No. A3 is 29.7 × 42 cm, 2 cm taller than the frame. Use an A3 frame instead.
What size mount fits a 30 x 40 cm frame?
A mount with a window for an A4 print gives a nearly even border of about 5 cm. A 10x8 photo also works, with a deeper border top and bottom.
What size frame for a 30 x 40 cm print with a mount?
A 40 x 50 cm frame, which gives an even 5 cm border all round.
More size guides: 40 x 50 cm, 50 x 70 cm, A3 and the full picture frame size chart.
About the author: Trevor Beers
Trevor Beers is a guest writer for East Side Studio London. With two degrees in English language and a passion for contemporary art, he explores the intersections of culture, criticism, and collecting. Splitting his time between London and Austin, Trevor brings an academic eye to emerging art scenes, offering thoughtful perspectives on today's evolving art landscape.
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.