As a gift
5 × 7 is the classic hand-over print: big enough to show a face properly, small enough to carry, and it fits a wide choice of affordable frames.
The 5x7 photo, measured
How big is a 5x7 photo?
A 5 × 7 inch photo measures 12.70 × 17.78 cm — the classic desk-portrait and gift print. Below it is drawn to scale against the 13 × 18 cm retail label and A5 paper, with printing and framing guidance.
To scale
A 5x7 photo next to 13x18 cm and A5
All three shapes below are drawn at the same scale in portrait orientation. In words: a 13 × 18 cm label runs 0.30 cm wider and 0.22 cm taller than an exact 5 × 7 print, and A5 paper is 2.10 cm wider and 3.22 cm taller.
5 × 7 in
5 × 7 in photo
12.70 × 17.78 cm
13 × 18 cm
13 × 18 cm label
13.0 × 18.0 cm
A5
A5 paper
14.8 × 21.0 cm
Exact versus nominal
Why 13x18 cm and 5x7 in are not identical
Retail metric labels round to whole centimetres, and this time the rounding goes up:
1 in = 2.54 cm5 × 7 in = 12.70 × 17.78 cm
An exact 5 × 7 inch print converts to 12.70 × 17.78 cm, so a 13 × 18 cm label sits slightly outside it — 0.30 cm wider and 0.22 cm taller. European products labelled 13 × 18 cm are generally cut to accept 5 × 7 prints, but that is a product decision, not a definition — the measured opening decides. Note the direction: it is the opposite of the 10 × 15 cm label, which rounds down against 4 × 6.
Everyday places
Where a 5x7 print fits
Perceived size depends on viewing distance, the space around the print, and whether a mat and frame widen its footprint. Three common situations:
On a desk or shelf
In a desk frame at arm's length, a 5 × 7 portrait reads clearly without crowding the surface. A mat in a larger frame gives it more presence when the shelf allows.
In a gallery wall
Between 4 × 6 snapshots and 8 × 10 anchors, 5 × 7 prints are the mid-size building blocks of a mixed photo wall. Spacing, frames, and mats decide how much wall each print claims.
Printing
How many pixels a 5x7 print needs
Multiply each side length in inches by the target pixels per inch (PPI) to get the pixel dimensions of the file.
Side length in inches × PPISide length in pixels
5 in × 300 PPI1500 px
7 in × 300 PPI2100 px
A 300 PPI file (1500 × 2100 px) suits prints viewed up close. Treat 300 PPI as a close-viewing guideline rather than a universal threshold — viewing distance and individual print shops change the target.
5x7 answers
5x7 photo size FAQ
How big is a 5x7 photo in centimeters?
A 5 × 7 inch photo measures 12.70 × 17.78 cm. The conversion is exact because each inch equals 2.54 cm.
Is a 5x7 photo the same as A5?
No. A5 paper measures 14.8 × 21.0 cm, so it is about 2.1 cm wider and 3.2 cm taller than a 5 × 7 photo. The shapes look almost identical — 5:7 is a 1.4 ratio and A5 follows the ISO ratio of about 1.41 — but the sizes are clearly different.
How many pixels do I need to print a 5x7 photo?
At 300 PPI, a common close-viewing print standard, a 5 × 7 in print needs 1500 × 2100 pixels (side length in inches × PPI). Viewing distance and individual print-shop requirements change the target, so treat 300 PPI as a close-viewing guideline rather than a universal threshold.
What frame fits a 5x7 photo?
A 5 × 7 frame is the usual direct-fit choice without a mat. For a wider border, the common step is an 8 × 10 frame with a mat whose window is slightly smaller than the photo. Check the frame's inside seat and the mat window before ordering.