Photo print sizes explained

Standard photographic print sizes are used in photographic printing. Cut sheets of paper meant for printing photographs are commonly sold in these sizes.

Many nominal and effective sizes are specified in international standard ISO 1008 using millimeters only, although most are clearly derived from integer-inch lengths. They are highlighted in the table below.

United States

In the US, size names are often denoted with a code of the format nR, where the number n represents the length of the shorter edge in inches. In the normal series, the long edge is the length of the short edge plus 2 inches (10 in or less) or 3 inches (11 in and above). The alternative Super series, denoted SnR, nR Plus or nR+, has an aspect ratio of (or as close as possible) and thus provides a better fit for standard 135 film (35 mm) at sizes of 8 inches or above.5R is twice the size of a 2R print, 6R twice the size of a 4R print and S8R twice the size of 6R.4D/6D is a newer size for most consumer level digital cameras and Micro 4/3 cameras[1] American S8R or Japanese 6PW at is the closest approximation to A4 at .

The sizes with 7 ×, and × 12 inches are used for black-and-white paper.

Japan

In Japan, the same print sizes (and several additional ones) are known by different designations. The Japanese L is equivalent to 3R, while 2L—twice the size—matches 5R. KG represents the size of a traditional  in (4R) Japanese postcard (hagaki).[2] The nP or series are defined in reference to a of  mm, with smaller numbers (fewer cuts) indicating larger sizes.[3] A W suffix indicates sizes with an extended long edge, similar to the American S prefix.Japanese Chou sizes are for envelopes and Hagaki for postcards. They do not match exactly the related sizes from ISO 216, like A6 for international standard postcards.

Overview

Unlike ISO 216 paper sizes, the aspect ratios of photographic prints vary, so exact scaling of prints is not always possible. However, some logical correspondences are between the sizes, noted below when applicable.

Many of the standard sizes are the same as sheet film formats, and are appropriate for making contact sheets from these films.

Common photo print sizes and codes, approximate dimensions in parentheses
US Japan Chinacm Aliasin × in mm × mm min. MpxStandard
1"
Big 1"/Small 2"
2" (for certificates)
2"
A9 0.27 (√2)
Wallet 0.54
A8 0.54 (√2)
2R Wallet (old) × 1.78
A7 1.08 (√2)
DSC (×) 1.38 (1.43)
(×) 1.48 (1.34)
[4] L B7(× 5) 1.54 (√2)
3R L 5"Enprint[5] × 5 1.58 (1.43)
PC Hagaki 1.94 (1.48)
A6 2.17 (√2)
4R KG6"2.16
4 × 4 1.45
× 6 2.43
Chou #4 2.55 (2.28)
5 × 5 2.26
B6 3.15 (√2)
5R 2L 7"3.15 (√2)
Chou #3 3.93 (1.96)
Ofuku Hagaki 4.12 (1.35)
A5 4.34 (√2)
6R 8P 8"4.32
6D 6 × 6
7 × 6.00 (1.36)
8R 6P 7.20
Letter × 11 8.42 (1.29)
8R+, S8R 6PW Small 12"8.64
A4(×) 8.70 (√2)
× 12 10.3 (1.26)
10R 4P 12" 10.8
4PW 10 × 13.0 (1.45)
10R+, S10R 13.5
11R 14.7 (1.27)
A3(×) 17.4 (√2)
12R 16.2
11R+, S11R Tabloid, Ledger16.8 (1.55)
17.3
12R+, S12R 19.4
14R
16R 28.8
16R+, S16R
A2(×) 34.8 (√2)
20R 43.2
20R+, S20R
22R
24R
A1(×) 69.7 (√2)
24R+, S24R
30R

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Big Print You, Unique Photo Sizes & Square Photos. www.ritzpix.com. Ritz Camera & Image. 2 June 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140626075832/http://www.ritzpix.com/prints-enlargements/digital-prints/big-print-you. 26 June 2014.
  2. Web site: プリントサイズ/料金. www.digiprishop.com. PAM PhotoAnimationMovie Online Print. 7 July 2008. ja. Print Size/Price. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20081022081920/http://www.digiprishop.com:80/net/nedan.html. 22 October 2008.
  3. Web site: Traditional Japanese Specialty Papers. www.edsebooks.com. Editorial & Design Services Inc.. Tokyo, Japan. 15 January 2004. 2 June 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141201003326/http://www.edsebooks.com/paper/miscjpaper.html. 1 December 2014.
  4. 3R
  5. Encyclopedia: enprints. (n.d.). Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged. 2014. 12. HarperCollins. Glasgow, Scotland. 29 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160202052752/https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/enprint. 2 February 2016. 978-0007522743. NOUN: a standard photographic print (5 × 3.5 in.) produced from a negative.