If youโve ever looked into getting prints made, youโve likely heard or read about 4ร6 photos. Itโs a safe guess because 4ร6-inches is one of the most popular printing sizes for photos. Those dimensions (2:3) also happen to be the most common size of photo files whenever you want to share pictures online. But why is that? And how โbigโ is a 4ร6 photo actually?
This short guide will breakdown a 4ร6 by its size in CM, MM, In, and Ft, as well as resolution in pixels to help you have a better sense of the dimensions while taking pictures or printing them.
Why Is There a Need for the 4ร6 Photo Size?
Due to the ubiquitous use of 35mm film, which dictated the 3:2 ratio of the print size, most print sizes wound up 3.5ร5โณ (in the 1960s) or 3ร5โณ (in the 1970s). The most popularThe 4ร6 became the norm for family photos, vacation snaps, and even professional portraits in the late โ80s and early โ90s. Anyone can carry them around with ease, and they are more affordable than larger print options.
If you have a box of old family photos from this era, theyโre probably the same size!
Today, even with digital cameras and smartphones taking amazing photos, the 4ร6 hasnโt lost its charm. Theyโre still just right for prints!
How Big Is a 4ร6 Photo In Different Sizes?
In case youโre curious how a 4ร6โณ photo measures up in other sizes (besides inches), we can actually measure it in basically five different ways:
Centimeters (CM)
A 4ร6 photo is roughly 10.16 x 15.24 cm with a 2:3 aspect ratio. Its height is 1 unit longer than its width, and itโs a classic 4R print size that gives you a portrait-like feel.
Millimeters (MM)
You already know that 1cm equals 10mm, so a 4ร6 picture is about 101.6 mm in width and 152.4 mm in height. The aspect ratio remains the same as in cm, but you get a finer sense of the dimensions.
Inches
The size of a 4ร6 photo is simply 4 inches wide and 6 inches high. To be exact, itโs 4 inches by 5 โ inches, but this slight difference is negligible, so itโs widely accepted as 4ร6 inches.
Feet
Although not the best way to describe it, the 4ร6 photo is about 0.33 by 0.5 feet. This gives you a clearer idea of just how small it is than larger print sizes like the ones they use in banners, etc.
What Is the Resolution of a 4ร6 Print?
Your camera and printer quality plays a big role in measuring the resolution of a 4ร6 photo. For example, if your camera has 2.2 megapixels, it can take a 4ร6 picture with 1200 pixels width and 1800 pixels height. This way, the picture has enough tiny details to be acceptable after printing. However, if your photo is smaller than this, it might look blurry or pixelated, especially when you take a closer look.
What Is a 4ร6 Photo Used For?
The 4ร6 photo size is best for many personal, professional, and creative uses. Letโs explore its various applications and discover why this size has become so essential.
Framing and Displaying
4ร6 photos is the right balance between large enough to capture details and small enough to print and fit on desks, mantels, and walls after you frame them. This size can also be easily arranged into collages or galleries if you have little to no space.
Albums and Scrapbooks
Scrapbooks and photo albums often have pockets or slots for 4ร6 photos. This makes it easy to print and organize them without cropping or resizing and still tell a visual story, one photo at a time. As 4ร6 photos are lightweight, you can fit more of them into albums without making them too bulky.
Aspect Ratio Matches Most Digital Cameras
Most digital cameras and smartphones shoot photos in a 3:2 aspect ratio, which perfectly matches the 4ร6 size. This means you can print them, preserve the full scene exactly as you have taken it, and donโt have to worry about key elements lost while cropping. So, nothing is left out.
Economical
Printing 4ร6 photos is often more affordable than larger sizes, and most online and in-store print services offer discounts for bulk orders, too, for this size.
Portable and Easy to Share
Unlike larger photos that can be cumbersome to carry around, a 4ร6 photo fits into your pocket, which you can carry around to share with others or hand out as a keepsake. Plus, theyโre small enough to be included in letters, cards, or invitations, adding a personal touch.
DIY Projects and Gifts
The small 4ร6 prints are amazing for creating gifts like photo magnets, coasters, or even holiday ornaments. Many people use them for custom calendars, postcards, or wall art as well. This versatility opens up endless possibilities for using your favorite photos in fun and meaningful ways.
Conclusion
So you now know the size of a 4ร6 photo in different measurements and its uses in different scenarios. If you want to print your picture in this size, make sure to take them in at least 300 dpi resolution. You also need to select a printer that has a minimum of 9 ink cartridges so it can really bring out the colors in your image. Also, donโt forget to adjust the printer settings to match the paper type (matte, glossy, or luster) and choose the โBestโ or โHighโ quality.
Featured photo by Cottonbro Studio.
