Photo print sizes

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

They 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" or less) or 3 inches (11" and above). The alternative Super series, denoted SnR, has an aspect ratio of 3:2 (or as close as possible) and thus provides a better fit for standard 135 film (35mm) at sizes of 8 inches or above.

In Japan, the same print sizes (and several additional ones) are known by different names. The Japanese L is equivalent to 3R, while 2L—twice the size—matches 5R. KG represents the size of a traditional 4"×6" (4R) Japanese postcard (hagaki).[1] The nP or cut (切り kiri?) series are defined in reference to a full page size (全紙 zenshi?) of 457×560 mm, with smaller numbers (fewer cuts) indicating larger sizes.[2]

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

Some common sizes

Name[lower-alpha 1] Size
(in. & mm)
Pixels at 300 PPI Aspect ratio Notes
2 × 3
(51 × 76)
600 × 900 3:2 (1.5) Very often called "wallet" size.
2R 2½ × 3½
(63.5 × 89)
750 × 1050 7:5 (1.4) Older standard for "wallet" size.
(E) 3¼ × 4½
(82.5 × 120)
974 × 1417 16:11 (1.45) Size in inches is approximate.
3R (L) 3½ × 5
(89 × 127)
1050 × 1500 10:7 (1.43) Called "9 × 13 cm" worldwide.
3.5 × 8.1
(90 × 205)
1050 × 2430 16:7 (2.29)[lower-alpha 2] Chou #4 envelope size.
(PC) 3.9 × 5.8
(100 × 148)
1170 × 1740 3:2 (1.5)[lower-alpha 2] Hagaki postcard size.
4R (KG) 4 × 6
(102 × 152)
1200 × 1800 3:2 (1.5) Standard 135 film & print size in Australia, Canada, India, UK and US. Called "10 × 15 cm" worldwide.
4D 4½ × 6
(114 × 152)
1350 × 1800 4:3 (1.33) New size for most consumer level digital cameras and Micro 4/3 cameras. Also known as "6D".[3]
4.7 × 9.3
(120 × 235)
1410 × 2790 2:1 (2.0)[lower-alpha 2] Chou #3 envelope size.
5R (2L) 5 × 7
(127 × 178)
1500 × 2100 7:5 (1.4) Twice the size of a 3R print. Called "13 × 18 cm" worldwide.
5.8 × 7.9
(148 × 200)
1740 × 2370 4:3 (1.33)[lower-alpha 2] Ofuku Hagaki postcard size.
6R (8P) 6 × 8
(152 × 203)
1800 × 2400 4:3 (1.33) Twice the size of a 4R print. Called "15 × 20 cm" worldwide.
7 × 9½
(178 × 240)
2100 × 2850 19:14 (1.36) For B&W paper. Commonly called “18 × 24 cm”.
8R (6P) 8 × 10
(203 × 254)
2400 × 3000 5:4 (1.25) Can be used for contact prints from 8×10 film. Called "20 × 25 cm" worldwide.
S8R (6PW) 8 × 12
(203 × 305)
2400 × 3600 3:2 (1.5) Closest approximation to A4 (210×297mm), twice the size of a 6R print. Called "20 × 30 cm" worldwide.
9½ × 12
(240 × 305)
2850 × 3600 24:19 (1.26) For B&W paper. Commonly called “24 × 30 cm”.
10R (4P) 10 × 12
(254 × 305)
3000 × 3600 6:5 (1.2)
S10R (4PW)[lower-alpha 3] 10 × 15
(254 × 381)
3000 × 4500 3:2 (1.5)
11R 11 × 14
(279 × 356)
3300 × 4200 14:11 (1.27) Called "28 × 36 cm" worldwide.
S11R 11 × 17
(279 × 432)
3300 × 5100 17:11 (1.55)
12R 12 × 15
(305 × 381)
3600 × 4500 5:4 (1.25)
12 × 16
(305 × 406)
3600 × 4800 4:3 (1.33) For B&W paper. Commonly called “30 × 40 cm”.
S12R 12 × 18
(305 × 457)
3600 × 5400 3:2 (1.5)
  1. Japanese code names are indicated in brackets.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Aspect ratio is approximate to the nearest ratio involving small numbers.
  3. At 14½ in. (368 mm), the Japanese 4PW size is slightly shorter than S10R.

See also

References

  1. Japanese print sizes (Japanese) (Translate: Google, Babelfish)
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