Will your framed picture fit with room to protect it?
Use the finished frame’s outside measurements. The answer is the inside box size with your chosen cushioning. A fit is a space check, not a guarantee of protection.
Worked example: a finished 16 × 20 × 1.5 inch frame with 2 inches of cushioning on all six sides.
Look for at least 20 × 24 × 5.5 in inside
| Axis | Required inside space |
|---|---|
| Width | 20 in |
| Height | 24 in |
| Depth | 5.5 in |
Width and height each include cushioning twice: once at each opposite edge. Depth includes the front and back allowance. These are inside dimensions, not a shipping-label measurement.
This checks rectangular space only, not protection, box strength or carrier acceptance. Glass, valuable art and fragile finishes may need specialist packing. Follow your packaging supplier’s instructions. Measure the sealed outside box and its weight separately for a shipping quote.
No photos needed. Measurements stay on this page and are not saved or included in tool analytics.
Browse custom portrait styles →Measure the frame, not the photo inside it
A frame sold for a 16 × 20 inch photo can be larger than 16 × 20 inches on the outside. Measure across the finished frame’s widest edges, then measure from its frontmost surface to its furthest back projection. Include fixed hanging hardware and corner protectors already attached. If a protective layer is already included in those measurements, do not count that same layer again as extra cushioning.
This tool adds a space allowance around that measured rectangle. Width and height each gain twice the edge allowance; depth gains twice the front-and-back allowance. A finished frame measuring 16 × 20 × 1.5 inches with 2 inches on every side needs at least 20 × 24 × 5.5 inches of internal space.
Still building the frame? Use the picture frame moulding calculator for the rails or the canvas floater frame calculator for a stretched canvas. Return here with the finished outside dimensions.
Choose cushioning for the artwork you are sending
The example starts with 2 inches (5.08 cm) at every side. FedEx’s general packing FAQ describes allowing 2–3 inches around an item. That is general packing guidance, not approval of a particular framed-art package. Choose the actual allowance specified for your protective materials and artwork.
Front-and-back cushioning has its own input because a flat frame has different surfaces and projections from its edges. The calculator accepts smaller or larger allowances to model a packaging system you have selected; it does not decide whether those allowances are protective enough. Do not reduce them just to make a smaller box pass.
Glass, delicate painted surfaces, ornate corners and valuable artwork can require dedicated art packaging or a specialist packer. Avoid letting cushioning press directly against an unprotected art surface. This calculator measures space; it does not test impact resistance, stacking strength, moisture protection or insurance eligibility.
Check internal fit before checking a shipping price
Use the supplier’s internal dimensions, or measure the usable inside of an assembled box. A product’s advertised size may describe its outside, inside or adjustable range, so check the specification. The result rounds minimum sizes upward to the next 0.01 inch or centimetre; choose an available box at least that large and allow for real packing tolerances.
The fit check tries the frame as entered and turned 90 degrees within the box’s broad face. It keeps frame depth aligned with box depth. If neither orientation works, the table shows the total extra internal size needed on each axis for the orientation with the smallest summed shortfall. It does not try diagonal packing, bending the frame or compressing the cushioning.
For double boxing, pack the inner box first and measure its outside dimensions. You can then use those measurements as the item dimensions in a second calculation with the additional cushioning your packaging instructions require. No automatic double-box allowance is assumed.
Shipping quotes use the sealed parcel’s outside measurements and weight. Carton thickness, flaps and bulging make those different from the minimum internal size here. This tool does not calculate postage or delivery dates. For a gift, add a note with the gift message generator; the wrapping paper calculator handles decorative paper around a finished gift box.
How it works
- Choose inches or centimetres. Enter the finished frame’s outside width, height and depth, including any projecting hardware.
- Enter the cushioning space at each edge and separately in front and behind. Choose allowances for your actual packing system.
- Optionally enter a box’s inside dimensions. Calculate to see the required space, a diagram, and a fit or shortfall check. Copy the plan before shopping for a box.
Frequently asked questions
What size box do I need to ship a framed picture?
Add twice your edge cushioning allowance to the frame’s outside width and height, and twice the front-and-back allowance to its depth. A 16 × 20 × 1.5 inch finished frame with 2 inches of cushioning on every side needs at least 20 × 24 × 5.5 inches inside the box.
Does the calculator use inside or outside box dimensions?
It calculates and checks inside dimensions. Measure the usable interior or confirm the supplier’s internal specification. For a carrier quote, measure the sealed parcel’s outside separately and weigh it.
Can I turn the frame to fit a box?
The fit check tries a 90-degree turn within the box’s broad face, swapping frame width and height. Depth stays aligned with depth. It does not assume the frame can fit diagonally or stand on edge.
Does a fit result mean the picture is safe to ship?
No. It means the rectangular frame and your chosen cushioning allowances fit the dimensions entered. Box strength, cushioning performance, fragile glass and artwork value still need appropriate packaging and carrier guidance.
Can I use this for a canvas or a double box?
Yes, for rectangular space planning. Enter the stretched canvas’s finished outside measurements. For a second box, first measure the packed inner box’s outside, then use those as the item dimensions with the additional cushioning required by your packing instructions.
Is the calculator free, and does it save my measurements?
Calculation and copying are free, with no signup or upload. Measurements stay in page memory and are not saved or included in tool analytics or portrait links. Shared site analytics record the existing visitor identifier and fixed usage categories.
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