Print Sizes and Framing: A3, A2 and 50x70 Compared
A 50 × 70 cm print is bigger than A2, and it is not an A size at all. Compare the paper sizes, check your wall or existing frame, then choose an unframed print, framed print or canvas.
Paper dimensions at a common scale, not actual size on your screen. Check the frame opening and mount separately.
Try your own size
Type a size the way you would say it: 50x70, A3, 12x16 in, 297x420 mm.
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The sizes at a glance
| Size | Centimetres | How we sell it |
|---|---|---|
| A4 | 21.0 × 29.7 | Poster |
| A3 | 29.7 × 42.0 | Poster, framed poster |
| A2 | 42.0 × 59.4 | Poster, framed poster |
| 50 × 70 cm | 50.0 × 70.0 | Poster |
| 70 × 100 cm | 70.0 × 100.0 | Poster |
A3, A2 and 50x70 cm side by side
50 × 70 cm is 500 × 700 mm. A3 is 297 × 420 mm and A2 is 420 × 594 mm, as shown in Adobe’s A2 paper-size reference. An A2 print is smaller than a 50 × 70 cm frame opening; a suitable mount can fill the surrounding space. Trimming can’t make the smaller print fill a larger opening. Measure the frame’s image opening and check the mount aperture before ordering. Is 50x70 cm A3 includes the inch conversions and advice for an existing frame.
The diagram above compares portrait paper rectangles at one shared scale. It excludes frames and mounts and isn’t actual size on your screen. The table gives the measurements to use when planning.
The sizes, in real terms
| Size | Dimensions | Inches | Works where |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 21.0 x 29.7 cm | 8.3 x 11.7 in | A desk, a narrow gap, a set of small ones |
| A3 | 29.7 x 42.0 cm | 11.7 x 16.5 in | Shelves, desks, hallway sets, snug walls |
| A2 | 42.0 x 59.4 cm | 16.5 x 23.4 in | Above a desk or sideboard, garage walls |
| 50x70 cm | 50.0 x 70.0 cm | 19.7 x 27.6 in | Above a sofa or bed, statement walls |
| 70x100 cm | 70.0 x 100.0 cm | 27.6 x 39.4 in | A big wall, viewed from across a room |
Cut newspaper or spare paper to the dimensions you are considering and hold it against the wall. Check the view from where you usually sit or stand, and leave space around nearby furniture, switches and other pictures. Include the frame’s outer dimensions when measuring a framed print.
Unframed poster: choose your own frame
Posters let you choose a frame separately or use one you already own. Check the product page for available sizes, paper weight and surface finish. Match the print to the frame opening or choose a suitable mount; the size of the frame’s outside edge is not its picture size.
Framed print: check the finished dimensions
Framed prints combine the artwork and frame in one purchase. They come at A3 and A2, in a black or natural wood frame; for 50x70 cm, buy the poster and frame it yourself. Check the current size, frame-finish and glazing options on the product page. Black can provide a strong border; natural wood may suit warmer colours. Choose for the recipient’s room and taste; no one finish works everywhere.
Canvas: texture and wrapped edges
Canvas has a textured surface stretched over a support. Check the available dimensions, depth and edge treatment before ordering. Without a glazed front it avoids reflections from that glazing, but the surface can still reflect light. Painterly road landscapes may suit the texture; inspect fine lines and the wrapped crop in the product preview.
Matching art to format
Paper can be a good starting point for fine ink lines. Bold race-day posters and painterly images from the Paint Shop can work in several formats. Compare the visible texture, crop and framing, then choose for the available space. A framed print saves a separate framing step; an unframed print leaves the recipient more choice.
Hanging heights
Use a comfortable viewing height for your room, not a fixed rule. Check the picture from both seated and standing positions. Above furniture, leave a gap that keeps the arrangement separate and allows for practical use. For a group, try paper templates with even spacing before making holes.
Browse more print and display advice, or read motorcycle wall art ideas for help choosing a picture for the room.
Written by Craig Fearn, Throttlefolio. Last updated .
Questions answered
How much bigger is 50x70 cm than A3?
50x70 cm is 500 x 700 mm and A3 is 297 x 420 mm, so 50x70 is nearly three times the area. It is larger than A2 as well, and it isn’t an A size at all.
How big are A3, A2 and 50x70 next to each other?
A3 is 29.7 × 42.0 cm, A2 is 42.0 × 59.4 cm and 50 × 70 cm is larger than both. The diagram compares them at one scale. Measure your wall and any frame or mount; Is 50x70 cm A3 explains the differences.
Should I buy framed or frame it myself?
Choose a framed print if you want the frame supplied with the artwork. Frame it yourself if you want a particular finish, have a suitable frame or prefer to use a local framer. Compare total costs and check the print, mount and frame-opening dimensions.
When is canvas better than a framed print?
Canvas may suit painterly work and a textured surface; paper may suit detailed lines or a particular frame. Canvas has no glazed front, but it can still reflect light. Compare the product previews and the room’s lighting before deciding.
What size frame fits an A3 print?
An A3 print measures 29.7 × 42.0 cm. Look for a frame made for A3 and check that size against the frame's picture opening, not its outside edge. Our framed prints come at A3 and A2 with the frame supplied.
What size picture is 50x70?
50x70 means 50 × 70 cm, which is 500 × 700 mm, or about 19.7 × 27.6 inches. It is not an A size, and it is bigger than A2, which is 42.0 × 59.4 cm.
Is A2 the same as 50x70?
No. A2 is 42.0 × 59.4 cm, so a 50 × 70 cm print is 8 cm wider and 10.6 cm taller. An A2 print in a 50 × 70 cm frame leaves a gap of 4 cm at each side and 5.3 cm at the top and bottom.
Keep reading
- Next Posters
A poster is the flexible option, and the reason isn't price. It's that you keep the framing decision. Hang it in something you already own, build a set over time, or swap what's in the frame when you get bored of it.