How Big Is A 16x20 Photo?

Get clear answers to how big is a 16x20 photo in this quick guide to printing and framing.
Tonny Franzen · September 24.2025
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How big is a 16x20 photo? Are you planning to print a portrait or create a wall art piece for the design gallery? Then knowing the exact dimensions of the photo is very important. The 16x20 dimension is considered standard, but you may not understand the various measurement units associated with it such as pixels, inches, or even centimeters. Also, you have to learn how to set images to prepare 16x20 size photos so that it's easier for you to formulate images as you desire.

In this guide, we have mentioned everything you need to know about the 16x20 dimensions. Let's dive into the article and take a look. 

What is a 16x20 Photo? 

There are various sizes to consider when creating a photo. Within these areas, you will frequently encounter a framed 16x20 picture. So the photograph or print would be about 16 inches wide and 20 inches long. It is among the most widely used photo sizes in portrait photography. Wall art – the perfect size of image you notice when get them framed for your wall: This size is also available with professional photography.

Now you might be thinking how big is a 16x20 photo? Generally, this is a large frame wall that won't overwhelm the space. When discussing pixels, a 16x20 resolution means it will be the standard for high-quality portraits, similar to those typically seen in photography. You will often see that the original photos are cropped to achieve the 16x20 photo dimensions because usually the aspect ratio of these pictures is about 4:5. Therefore, when it comes to 16x20 photo resolution, there are different things that you need to understand 

How Big Is A 16×20 Photo in Different Units? 

If you are wondering how big a 16x20 photo is, then don't worry because we've got you covered. When it comes to understanding the dimensions in different units, we have listed all the relevant units below, so you can get a better idea of ​​the 16x20 photo dimensions. 

16x20 Photo Size in Inches 

The 16x20 photo size in inches, is 16 inches wide and 20 inches high. The aspect ratio is 4:5 so it's best for framing and it lets standard size frames without trimming aside. This is also a common size you would see in portraits and frames.

16x20 Picture Size in Centimeters

For 16x20 photo size in cm the metric measurement will be 40.64 x 50.8cm. This is important to know because sometimes, the international vendors ask for the measurements in centimeters. 

16x20 Picture Size in Millimeters

Millimeters is also a unit of measurement that some vendors require when ordering from them. In such a case, the 16x20 photo dimension can be about 406.4 mm x 508 mm. 

16x20 Picture Size in Pixels 

It is important to know the pixel dimension of a 16x20 photo. This is because, in an attempt to get clear, sharp images, you might have to re-size pixels when trying to download them. About 1152x1440 pixels is the minimum resolution appropriate for web use. A good-quality medium-resolution image has about 2400x3000 pixels. Finally, there is high resolution, which has a resolution of roughly 4800 x 6000 pixels and is perfect for professional print quality.

16x20 Picture Size in Feet 

Although this is not a standard measurement, it is also essential to know the dimensions of a 16x20 photo in feet. After the conversion, the 16x20 can be around 1.33 ft x 1.67 ft.

Unit

Width x Height 

Inches 

16 in x 20 in

Centimeters 

40.64 cm x 50.8 cm

Millimeters 

406.4 mm x 508 mm

Feet 

1.33 ft x 1.67 ft

Pixels (Low)

1152 x 1440 px

Pixels (Medium)

2400 x 3000 px

Pixels (High)

4800 x 6000 px


Aspect Ratio of 16x20 Photo 

Now you might also be wondering what the aspect ratio of a 16x20 photo dimension is? The aspect ratio for this kind of image is about 4:5. This means if there are 4 units of the image in the width then there will be 5 units of the image in the height. This aspect ratio is very useful. There are a lot of different things that are made in this aspect ratio such as the posters, wall art, and even portraits for professional photography. 

Aspect ratio is essential when preparing a 16x20 photo in pixels. Keeping the right aspect ratio means that you are not disturbing the quality of the image. This also means the image is not stretched too much and if you are cropping it, it is cropping in the right way. Whenever you are generating an image keep the 16x20 photo resolution aligned with the aspect ratio of the image. Hence, this means that aspect ratio is important for a clean and professional-looking picture. 

Digital Considerations: Pixels & Resolution for Printing

Whenever you print an image, consider the resolution and pixels it contains. To achieve a 16x20 photo resolution, 300 PPI is needed. If you want high-quality images and also want clear details then you need 4800 x 6000 pixels. From these settings, you can obtain much sharper images with all details clearly visible. It is suitable for professional use. 

If you want causal prints, then you can also opt for the 150 PPI, which is about 24000 x 3000 pixels. But if you're planning to use the photos to become digital, then 72 PPI, or 1152 x 1440 pixels. So the aspect ratio and resolution must be maintained so that the photo will be clear.

Common Uses of 16×20 Photo Dimensions

Below, we have listed some everyday use cases for the 16x20 photo dimensions.

Use Case 

Purpose 

Portrait Photo

Family and graduation and even for personal photos. 

Wedding and Event Photography 

Highlight all the key moments of your moments.

Home Decor 

Great for wall arts and even the themed décor 

Office Décor 

You can use this for enhancing the ambiance of the workplace. 

Custom Gifts 

Perfect for creating custom gift options that can be customized and personalized. 

Photography Exhibitions

You can put your photography in standard size portraits and display them. 


How to Resize Images to 16×20 Using X-Design AI Photo Editor? 

Getting your images in the 16x20 photo dimension can be tricky. You need to ensure that you maintain the quality and accuracy of the frame. X-Design AI Photo Editor is one of the best tools that can help with the entire process. Below, we have outlined all the steps you need to follow. 

Open X-Design AI Photo Editor

launch-and-upload-image

Open your X-Design AI Photo Editor in your device or use it through the website. Also upload the image that you want to resize . First, launch the app on your computer or access it through the website. Upload the image that you want to resize. 

Select the Resize Tool 

resize-tool-xdesign

Click on the "Resize" option in the toolbar, then click on "Canvas" to resize the canvas. There will be a panel through which you can make the adjustments. 

Set to 16×20 Inches

resize-image-xdesign

Change the width to 16 and height to 20. You also need to maintain the aspect ratio, which can be done by clicking the "Maintain Aspect Ratio" option. 

Set the Resolution

After setting the size you can also change the resolution. 4800 x 6000 pixels are required if you want a high quality image when you are printing them. 

Apply and Download 

download-xdesign-image

If your settings are all set, proceed to the "Apply" option. You can export the image in various ways if you wish to save the image.

FAQs

Can I make a 16x20 print from a photo on my phone?

Yes, you can use your phone to print the images with the dimensions of 16x20. However you need to make sure that there is good resolution to get a high quality image. 

What is the pixel for a 16x20 picture to print?

If you desire to print the photo size 16x20 in pixels, you require the resolution of 300 DPI. It signifies that if you desire a distinct and high image quality, you should allocate the pixels as 4800 x 6000.

Will resizing have an impact on image quality?

Yes, changing the size of the images sometimes happens at the expense of their quality to make them less clear and blurry. It is for this reason that the aspect ratio needs to be retained in a bid to get clean and professional images.

Final Words 

Learning about the dimension of the images is very important. If you are trying to get images for framing or professional photography then the 16x20 is a common dimension. This is needed to allow you to obtain clear images with all the details in clarity. You can also turn the 16x20 photo to other units, including cm, feet, millimeters, pixels, and others. All of this is important to understand so that you can get the pictures according to your needs. Hence, we hope this article was beneficial for you and that you now know what a 16x20 photo dimension is and how to resize it using the X-Design AI Photo Editor.