Paper sizesPS-04
How Many cm Is L-Size? Differences from 2L and Postcards, Aspect Ratio, Pixels and Printing Without Cropping
L-size is the size used most for photo prints. This page shows the dimensions first, then explains step by step which parts of a smartphone photo get cut and how to print without cutting.
In this article (15 sections)
- Conclusion: How many cm is L-size?
- How do you check L-size with the calculator tool?
- What is the aspect ratio of L-size?
Which part gets cut when you print a smartphone photo at L-size?3
- How many pixels does L-size need?
How do you print L-size on a home printer?1
- How do you print L-size at a convenience store?
- How do L-size, 2L-size and postcards differ?
- Which albums and photo frames fit L-size?
- What are common L-size mistakes?
- What terms come up with L-size?
What else should you know about L-size?3
- What else should you read about L-size?
- Sources
L-size is the most familiar size for photo prints. Both photo shops and convenience stores offer it as the standard size.
But when you print a smartphone photo at L-size, the edges get cut a little. This is because the photo and L-size have different aspect ratios.
Here is the key point. With L-size, knowing the "ratio" rather than the dimensions keeps you from making mistakes.
This article covers the following:
- Dimensions of L-size, 2L-size and postcards (mm, inches, pixels)
- The aspect ratio of L-size and how it differs from smartphone photos (4:3, 16:9)
- Which parts of a photo get cut, and by how much
- The pixel count L-size needs
- How to print on a home printer and at a convenience store
- How to match albums and photo frames
- Common mistakes
Dimensions are shown in tables based on materials from manufacturers (Fujifilm, Canon) and Japan Post.
Conclusion: How many cm is L-size?
| Size | mm (w × h) | inches | px (300 dpi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese postcard | 100 × 148 | 3.94 × 5.83 | 1181 × 1748 |
| L (photo) | 89 × 127 | 3.5 × 5 | 1051 × 1500 |
| 2L (photo) | 127 × 178 | 5 × 7.01 | 1500 × 2102 |
Source: Japan Post domestic postal terms, Art. 21 / Fujifilm, multifunction printer photo prints (L and 2L are customary, not formal standards)
Dimensions in the table are given as "short side × long side". px is the pixel count when printing at 300dpi.
As the table shows, L-size is a step smaller than a postcard. 2L-size has exactly twice the area of L-size.
Guides for common uses are as follows:
- Putting in an album or handing out: L-size
- Displaying, or making faces bigger in group photos: 2L-size
- Sending a photo as a postcard: postcard
How do you check L-size with the calculator tool?
Choose "L (photo)" in the tool above to see the pixel count of L-size at each dpi. The same tool also converts between mm and inches.
The tool runs only in your browser. The values you enter are not sent anywhere.
What is the aspect ratio of L-size?
The aspect ratio of L-size is about 1 : 1.43, close to 5 : 7.
It is calculated as long side ÷ short side.
- L-size: 127 ÷ 89 ≈ 1.43
- 2L-size: 178 ÷ 127 ≈ 1.40
- Postcard: 148 ÷ 100 = 1.48
L-size and 2L-size have ratios close to A sizes such as A4 (1 : 1.41). The long side of L-size is the same length as the short side of 2L-size. As with A sizes, doubling gives the next size.
Some explanations online give the ratio of L-size as "3 : 2". By calculation, L-size is a little closer to square than 3 : 2 (1.5).
Which part gets cut when you print a smartphone photo at L-size?
When you print a smartphone photo at L-size, about 7% is cut for 4:3 and about 20% for 16:9. The part that doesn't match the ratio is cut so the photo fills the paper.
Apple's guide says the iPhone camera can shoot in 1:1, 4:3 or 16:9. The share that gets cut works out as in the table below.
| Photo Ratio | L-size | 2L-size | Postcard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4:3 | About 6.6% | About 4.9% | About 9.9% |
| 3:2 | About 4.9% | About 6.6% | About 1.3% |
| 16:9 | About 19.7% | About 21.2% | About 16.8% |
| 1:1 | About 29.9% | About 28.7% | About 32.4% |
| 5:7 | About 1.9% | About 0.1% | About 5.4% |
The percentages assume the long side of the photo is aligned with the long side of the paper. The cut part is split equally between the two sides.
Where does a 4:3 photo get cut?
A 4:3 photo loses about 7% along the short side. In a landscape photo, that is about 3% each from the top and bottom.
A 4:3 photo loses less on 2L-size than on L-size. For everyday photos, it is an amount you rarely notice.
Where does a 16:9 photo get cut?
A 16:9 photo loses about 20% along the long side. In a landscape photo, that is about 10% each from the left and right.
A person standing at the edge can end up cut in half. For photos taken at 16:9, decide where to crop yourself before printing.
How do you print a photo without cutting it?
There are three ways to print a photo without cutting it.
- Crop to 5:7 first: the iPhone Photos app has a 5:7 crop
- Print with borders: because the ratio differs, white margins appear on the paper
- Print the photo smaller: shrink it with the editing options at the shop or in an app
A photo cropped to 5:7 fits 2L-size almost exactly. Even on L-size, only about 2% is cut.
For photos with someone important at the edge, it is a good idea to crop to 5:7 before printing. You get to choose what stays.
How many pixels does L-size need?
L-size needs about 1.58 million pixels at 300dpi. Any photo from a current smartphone is enough.
It is calculated as side length (mm) ÷ 25.4 × dpi.
- Short side: 89 ÷ 25.4 × 300 ≈ 1051px
- Long side: 127 ÷ 25.4 × 300 ≈ 1500px
- Total: 1051 × 1500 ≈ 1.58 million pixels
Canon's printing course gives 200 to 300ppi as the guide for inkjet printing. At 200dpi, about 700,000 pixels is enough.
Pixel counts for each dpi are in the table below.
| Size | px (150 dpi) | px (300 dpi) | px (350 dpi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese postcard | 591 × 874 | 1181 × 1748 | 1378 × 2039 |
| L (photo) | 526 × 750 | 1051 × 1500 | 1226 × 1750 |
| 2L (photo) | 750 × 1051 | 1500 × 2102 | 1750 × 2453 |
Source: Japan Post domestic postal terms, Art. 21 / Fujifilm, multifunction printer photo prints (L and 2L are customary, not formal standards)
A 12-megapixel photo (about 4000 × 3000) has more than 7 times the pixels needed to print L-size at 300dpi. Even cropped to 16:9, it won't run short.
Image quality drops more often because of how the photo was handled than because of the pixel count.
- Photos received through a messaging app: they were shrunk when sent
- Photos taken zoomed in (digital zoom): plenty of pixels but no fine detail
- Photos of the screen (screenshots): only the resolution of the screen
The ideas behind dpi and pixel count are explained in detail in A4 Size Pixel Count.
How do you print L-size on a home printer?
On a home printer, choose "L" as the paper size and the photo paper you are using as the paper type, then print.
The steps are as follows:
- Load L-size photo paper into the printer
- In the print settings, set the paper size to "L"
- Set the paper type to match the photo paper you loaded
- Choose borderless or bordered
- Check in the preview where it will be cut, then print
Matching the paper type gives the right amount of ink for the paper, so the colors come out nicely.
Why do edges get cut in borderless printing?
Because borderless printing enlarges the photo slightly beyond the paper. The part that sticks out is not printed.
Canon's manual explains that the amount of extension can be adjusted. Reducing it cuts less, but some papers may show a margin.
On top of that, if the ratios of the paper and the photo don't match, part of the image may not fit. When the ratio mismatch and the borderless enlargement combine, a bit more of the edge is cut.
If borderless printing cuts off too much, you can print with borders and trim with scissors. Even with a white border left, it looks neat in an album.
How do you print L-size at a convenience store?
At convenience stores, you can choose L-size in the photo print menu of the multifunction copier. You send the photos with a smartphone app, a USB memory stick or similar.
The specs of the Seven-Eleven multifunction copier (a Fujifilm machine) are as follows:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Sizes | L size, 2L size |
| Supported files | JPEG, TIFF, BMP, PNG |
| Maximum pixel count | 40 million pixels |
| Finish | Printed with a little trimmed off around the image |
The easy part to miss is the pixel limit. Photos taken at 48 megapixels exceed it. Shrinking them on your smartphone before sending is the safe way.
Other convenience stores have different machines. Check the sizes and prices on each company's official site.
Before printing at a convenience store, cropping to 5:7 on your smartphone makes the result easier to predict. Check where it will be cut on the machine's screen before you print, too.
How do L-size, 2L-size and postcards differ?
2L-size is twice L-size, and a postcard is a step larger than L-size. The three photo print sizes compare as in the table below.
| L-size | 2L-size | Postcard | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size relationship | The basic photo print | Twice the area of L-size | A step larger than L-size |
| Aspect ratio | About 1 : 1.43 | About 1 : 1.40 | 1 : 1.48 |
| Main uses | Albums, handing out | Display, group photos | Sending by mail |
| Set by | Photo print custom | Photo print custom | Japan Post |
The postcard size is that of the postcards sold at Japan Post counters. How to print photos on postcards is explained in the postcard size article.
If you stick an L-size photo on a postcard, a little margin remains around it.
Some shops also have sizes with other names, such as KG and wide. Dimensions vary by shop, so check them on the order screen.
Which albums and photo frames fit L-size?
Choose albums and photo frames by photo size, such as "for L-size" or "for 2L-size".
What to check when choosing is in the table below.
| Item | What to Check | Caution |
|---|---|---|
| Pocket album | The "for L-size" label | 2L-size prints and postcards don't fit |
| Album with free-layout pages | Size of the pages | Any size can be stuck in, but it holds fewer photos |
| Photo frame | The "for L-size" label and the inner size | An L-size photo in a postcard frame leaves a gap |
| Frame with a mat | Size of the mat window | The window hides the edges of the photo |
Some 2L-size frames come with a mat that has an L-size window. Because the edges of the photo are hidden, keep important people away from the edges.
What are common L-size mistakes?
The most common is printing a 16:9 photo as is and having both ends cut off. The mistakes people ask about most are in the table below.
| Mistake | What Happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Printing a 16:9 photo as is | About 10% is cut from each of the left and right | Crop to 5:7, then print |
| Putting text at the edge in borderless printing | The edge of the text is cut | Use borders or move the text inward |
| Printing a photo from a messaging app | It has been shrunk and looks rough | Get the original from the person who took it |
| Leaving the paper type on plain paper | Colors look faded and bleed | Choose a photo paper type |
| Thinking "L-ban" and "L size" are different | You get confused and stall on the order | They are the same size (Fujifilm labels it "L size") |
| Putting an L-size photo in a postcard frame | There is a gap | Choose a frame made for L-size |
Checking the edges in the preview before printing prevents most mistakes.
What terms come up with L-size?
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| L-size | The most familiar size for photo prints. In Japan it is called L-ban or "L size" |
| 2L-size | A photo print with twice the area of L-size |
| Aspect ratio | The ratio of the long side to the short side. Also called the width-to-height ratio |
| Cropping | Cutting away part of a photo to adjust its ratio or composition |
| Borderless printing | Printing the photo all the way to the paper edge. It is printed slightly enlarged |
| Extension amount | How far past the paper edge borderless printing goes |
| dpi, ppi | Dots or pixels per inch. Shows how fine the image is |
| Mat | Backing board placed around a photo inside a frame |
What else should you know about L-size?
How many L-size photos fit on A4?
In portrait orientation, four (2 × 2) fit on A4.
It is calculated from the width and height of two L-size prints side by side.
- Width: 89 × 2 = 178mm (smaller than the width of A4)
- Height: 127 × 2 = 254mm (smaller than the height of A4)
Printing four on A4 photo paper and cutting them apart works as a substitute when you have no L-size paper. It also leaves a margin of 10mm or more around them.
Are ID photos also printed at L-size?
Yes. Some convenience store ID photo prints use L-size paper.
The Seven-Eleven multifunction copier also prints ID photos at L size. Cut them apart to the size you need after printing.
What should you choose to display a photo larger?
To display larger than L-size, choose 2L-size or A4. Larger still, you move into poster sizes.
The bigger the print, the farther away people view it. How to choose a poster size is covered in Poster Size List.
Frequently Asked Questions About L-size
How many cm is L-size?
L-size in cm is the mm values in the table above divided by 10.
Check the mm column of the table for the exact values.
Are "L-ban" and "L size" the same?
Yes. They are the same size.
Fujifilm's guide for convenience stores writes it as "L size". The dimensions are the same as L-ban.
What is the difference between L-size and 2L-size?
2L-size has twice the area of L-size. The long side of L-size becomes the short side of 2L-size.
For display, 2L-size is easier to use. For albums, L-size is.
What size is a bromide photo?
There is no set standard for bromides. If you make one as an L-size photo print, it has the dimensions in this article.
If you have a case or album to put it in, match that size.
Does a smartphone photo get cut at L-size?
Yes. About 7% is cut for 4:3 and about 20% for 16:9.
If you don't want it cut, crop to 5:7 before printing, or print with borders.
How many pixels does L-size need?
About 1.58 million pixels at 300dpi, or about 700,000 pixels at 200dpi.
Any photo from a current smartphone is enough.
What else should you read about L-size?
Envelopes and mailWhat Size Is a Japanese Postcard in cm? Pixels, Aspect Ratio, Japan Post Rules and Making Your OwnJapanese postcard size in cm and pixels by dpi, vs A6 and L-size, aspect ratio, Japan Post rules for return and private postcards, bleed, A4 layout and overseas cards.
ConversionsHow many pixels is A4? A chart by dpi, how the calculation works, and how to make print dataA4 pixel counts at 72, 150, 300 and 350 dpi, how to calculate them, the dpi each use needs, Word, PowerPoint and Photoshop settings, phone photos, and common mistakes.
Paper sizesPoster Size List: A0 to B3 Dimensions and How to Choose by Use, Viewing Distance and ResolutionPoster sizes A0 to A3 and B0 to B3 in mm, cm and pixels, how to choose for shops, stations, events, rooms and conferences, text size, dpi, frames and tiled printing.
Paper sizesPaper Size Chart: A, B, Letter, Photo and Postcard Sizes, Uses, How to Choose and ScalingPaper sizes in mm, cm and inches with uses. A and B series rules, ISO vs JIS B sizes, Letter, photo, postcard and business card sizes, choosing by use and scaling.Sources
- Multifunction Copier Photo Print (Fujifilm Business Innovation)
- Photographic Paper Sizes: Photo Glossary (Canon)
- Print Course That Changes Your Photos, Lesson 3: Pixel Count and Resolution (Canon)
- Borderless Printing (Canon PIXUS Manual, TS8330 series)
- Use the Camera Tools to Set Up Your Shot on iPhone (Apple Support)
- Crop, Rotate, Flip and Straighten Photos and Videos on iPhone (Apple Support)
- Can a Postcard About 1cm Larger Than Those Sold at Post Office Counters Still Be Sent for 85 Yen? (Japan Post)
- iPhone 15 Technical Specifications (Apple)
Read next
Paper sizesPS-01Paper Size Chart: A, B, Letter, Photo and Postcard Sizes, Uses, How to Choose and ScalingPaper sizes in mm, cm and inches with uses. A and B series rules, ISO vs JIS B sizes, Letter, photo, postcard and business card sizes, choosing by use and scaling.
Paper sizesPS-08What Is A3 Size in cm? How It Relates to A4 (2x Area, 141%), Pixels by dpi, A3 vs B4, and Printing on a Home PrinterA3 size in mm, cm, inches and pixels by dpi, its link to A4 (twice the area, 141%), A3 vs B4, phone photos at A3, uses, and printing on a home printer without A3.
Paper sizesPS-02Letter Size vs A4: Comparing Dimensions and Fixing Prints of Overseas DocumentsLetter vs A4 in mm, inches and pixels: where Letter is used, why overseas documents get cut, shifted or shrunk, fixes in Word, Excel, PDF and printers, and safe margins.Paper sizesPS-03Poster Size List: A0 to B3 Dimensions and How to Choose by Use, Viewing Distance and ResolutionPoster sizes A0 to A3 and B0 to B3 in mm, cm and pixels, how to choose for shops, stations, events, rooms and conferences, text size, dpi, frames and tiled printing.