Photo sizes: measurements for printing and R.R.S.S.

One of the most widely used photo sizes is the postcard size, which measures 10 x 15 cm, and is the standard measurement for photographic printing.

The size of a photograph expresses its dimensions in a specific unit of measurement that can be due to two aspects:

• The measurement in centimeters, although we can also find it in inches, is the measurement used for printing or photographic development.
• The size in pixels, the more focused on the resolution of the photo, the more pixels it has, the higher its quality. This measurement is used to set the size of digital photos.

Most commonly used sizes for photo printing

In the following table we will see the main sizes in which we can print a photograph, in centimeters, pixels and inches:

Centimeters	Pixels	Inches
4 x 3	470 x 354	1.57 x 1.20
4 x 4	470 x 470	1.57 x 1.57
9 x 13	1063 x 1535	3.5 x 5
10 x 15	1181 x 1772	4 x 6
13 x 18	1535 x 2125	5 x 7
15 x 20	1771 x 2362	6 x 8
18 x 24	2125 x 2834	7 x 9.5
20 x 25	2362 x 2952	8x10
20 x 30	2362 x 3543	8 x 12
24 x 30	2834 x 3543	9.5 x 12
30 x 40	3543 x 4724	12 x 16
30 x 45	3543 x 5314	12 x 18
40 x 50	4724 x 5905	18 x 20

Depending on the size in which it is printed, the photograph can have different uses:

• The passport size (4 x 3 cm), used in identification documents such as the passport.
• The postcard size (10 x 15 cm), is the size of the photo that we usually print to keep in albums.
• The portrait size (18 x 24 cm), generally used for framing and decoration.
• Poster size (30 x 40 cm and larger), larger prints intended for wall decoration.

Sizes most used in digital media

Within the digital sphere, the sizes of the photographs vary depending on the platform that we are going to use. Each social network can establish the size that best suits the appearance of its website. Generally, more size is required than necessary to ensure good viewing online.

Next we will see the sizes in pixels used in the main social networks.

Social network	Profile picture	Cover photo	Post Image
Facebook	170 x 170 128 x 128	820 x 312 640 x 360	1200 x 630 1080 x 1080
Instagram	110 x 110	Does not apply	1080 x 1080 1080 x 566 1080 x 1350
WhatsApp	140 x 140 192 x 192	Does not apply	Does not apply
Twitter	400 x 400	1500 x 500	440 x 220 1024 x 512
LinkedIn	400 x 400	1584 x 396	1200 x 627 1200 x 1200

Measurements may vary depending on the device we use (computer, smartphone) or the photo format (square, horizontal, vertical).

You may also like:

• Paper sizes.
• Screen resolutions.