Most phone photos are 4:3 and camera photos 3:2, but popular print sizes have different shapes: 4 x 6 inches is 2:3 (fits camera photos), 5 x 7 is 5:7, 8 x 10 is 4:5, and A4 is about 1:1.41. If you send a photo without cropping, the print shop or machine crops it for you, often cutting off heads or edges. Crop to the exact print ratio yourself, and make sure you still have about 300 pixels per inch at the final size.
- Different print sizes have different shapes. One crop does not fit all.
- Crop yourself before printing so nothing important is cut.
- Aim for about 300 pixels per inch at the print size.
- Leave a small margin around important details for trimming.
- Crop with free ratios in the Image Cropper.
The framed photo with no feet
Imagine a couple printing their favourite wedding photo at 8 x 10 inches for the living room wall. The phone photo is 4:3, the print is 4:5. The photo lab’s machine fills the paper automatically, cutting a strip off the top and bottom. The bride’s dupatta and both of their feet disappear.
If they had cropped to 4:5 first, they could have chosen to trim the empty wall at the sides instead. The print shop is not a mind reader. You decide what stays.
Print sizes, ratios and pixels
| Print size | Aspect ratio | Pixels at 300 DPI | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport-style 2 x 2 in | 1:1 | 600 x 600 | Follow official rules for ID photos |
| 4 x 6 in (10 x 15 cm) | 2:3 | 1200 x 1800 | Matches camera photos; phone photos need cropping |
| 5 x 7 in | 5:7 | 1500 x 2100 | Popular for frames and gifts |
| 8 x 10 in | 4:5 | 2400 x 3000 | Common wall frame |
| 8 x 12 in | 2:3 | 2400 x 3600 | No crop needed for camera photos |
| A4 (8.3 x 11.7 in) | about 1:1.41 | 2480 x 3508 | Documents, posters |
| A3 (11.7 x 16.5 in) | about 1:1.41 | 3508 x 4961 | Posters |
How to crop for print
- Pick the print size firstAnd the orientation: portrait or landscape.
- Work out the ratioUse the table above, or divide width by height.
- Crop from the originalIn the Image Cropper, choose free crop and match the ratio, or use your phone’s editor which offers 5:7, 4:5 and more.
- Leave a safety marginKeep important details slightly away from the edges; prints are trimmed.
- Check pixelsCompare your crop’s pixel size with the 300 DPI column. A bit lower is usually fine for photos viewed at arm’s length.
- Save at high qualityJPG at quality 90 or higher, and do not compress for print.
Phone photos and print
Most phone photos are 4:3. For 4 x 6 prints (2:3), a strip will be cut from the long side; for 8 x 10 (4:5) a strip from the short side. Modern phones have enough pixels for sharp prints up to A4 and beyond, as long as you print the original file and not a copy shared through a messaging app.
ID and passport photos
Official photos have strict rules about size, head position, background and expression, which differ by country and document. Always follow the official guidance for your application. For online job forms with pixel and KB limits, read how to resize and crop a photo for online applications.
Related guides
Read how to crop without losing quality and why printed colours look different.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What aspect ratio is a 4×6 print?
2:3, the same shape as most camera photos. Phone photos (4:3) need a small crop.
How many pixels do I need for a 5×7 print?
About 1500 x 2100 pixels for 300 DPI. Slightly fewer is usually fine for photos viewed at arm’s length.
Why did my print cut off part of the photo?
The photo’s aspect ratio did not match the print size, so it was cropped automatically. Crop it yourself before printing.
Can I print phone photos at 8×10?
Yes, most modern phone photos have enough pixels, as long as you print the original file and crop to 4:5 first.
Should I compress photos before printing?
No. Keep print files at high quality. Compression is for web and messaging.
Crop to 16:9, 4:3, square or freeform, zoom and compress in one step, right in your browser.
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