Aspect Ratio Calculator
Calculate and convert between different aspect ratios for photos and videos. Find the optimal dimensions for your projects based on standard aspect ratios.
Calculate Your Aspect Ratio Calculator
What is an Aspect Ratio?
An aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of an image or screen. It's typically expressed as two numbers separated by a colon (width:height), such as 16:9 or 4:3.
Aspect ratios are crucial in photography, filmmaking, web design, and other visual media because they determine how your content is framed and displayed across different devices and platforms.
Common Aspect Ratios
16:9 (1.78:1)
The standard widescreen aspect ratio used in modern TVs, monitors, and online videos. Most HD and UHD content is presented in this format.
4:3 (1.33:1)
The traditional TV and computer monitor format before widescreen became popular. Still commonly used in some photography and older content.
1:1
A perfect square, popular for social media platforms like Instagram and profile photos across various platforms.
3:2 (1.5:1)
Common in DSLR photography and 35mm film, this ratio is the standard for many print photographs.
21:9 (2.33:1)
Ultra-wide aspect ratio used in cinema and ultrawide monitors for an immersive viewing experience.
2.39:1
The cinematic aspect ratio used in most modern films, also known as "CinemaScope" or "Panavision."
9:16
Vertical video format popular on mobile platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the width and height of your original media, or select a preset aspect ratio from the dropdown.
- If you need to resize your media while maintaining the aspect ratio, enter either a target width or height.
- Click "Calculate Aspect Ratio" to see the results.
- The calculator will show you the original ratio, simplified ratio, and common resolutions that match your aspect ratio.
- If you entered a target dimension, it will calculate the corresponding dimension that maintains the aspect ratio.
Why Aspect Ratios Matter
Consistent Visual Experience: Maintaining proper aspect ratios ensures your content looks as intended across different devices and platforms.
Avoiding Distortion: Using the wrong aspect ratio can stretch or compress your images and videos, making them look unprofessional.
Platform Requirements: Different social media platforms and websites have specific aspect ratio requirements for optimal display.
Artistic Choices: Filmmakers and photographers choose specific aspect ratios to evoke certain feelings or frame their subjects in particular ways.
Tips for Working with Aspect Ratios
- Plan your aspect ratio before shooting or creating content to avoid cropping issues later.
- When resizing images or videos, always maintain the original aspect ratio to prevent distortion.
- Consider the final display medium when choosing an aspect ratio (social media, print, TV, cinema, etc.).
- For multi-platform content, consider shooting in a versatile ratio that can be cropped to fit different formats.
- Use the "rule of thirds" within your chosen aspect ratio for visually appealing compositions.
Related Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
An aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between an image's width and height, typically expressed as two numbers separated by a colon (width:height). For example, a 16:9 aspect ratio means that for every 16 units of width, there are 9 units of height.
Aspect ratio is crucial because it determines how your content is framed and displayed. Using the correct aspect ratio ensures your images and videos appear as intended without unwanted cropping or distortion across different devices and platforms. It also affects the aesthetic composition of your visual content.
16:9 (1.78:1) is the standard widescreen format used in modern TVs, monitors, and online videos. It's wider and more rectangular than 4:3 (1.33:1), which was the traditional TV and early computer monitor format. 4:3 is closer to a square shape and is still used in some photography applications and older content.
Different social media platforms have different optimal aspect ratios:
- Instagram Feed: 1:1 (square) or 4:5 (portrait)
- Instagram Stories/Reels: 9:16 (vertical)
- Facebook Feed: 16:9 or 1:1
- Twitter: 16:9
- TikTok: 9:16 (vertical)
- YouTube: 16:9
- LinkedIn: 1.91:1
To maintain the aspect ratio when resizing an image, you need to ensure that the width and height are scaled proportionally. If you know the original width and height, and you want to change one dimension, you can use our calculator to find the other dimension that preserves the original aspect ratio. Alternatively, most image editing software has options to "lock aspect ratio" or "constrain proportions" when resizing.
Pixel aspect ratio (PAR) refers to the shape of individual pixels in an image. Most digital displays use square pixels (1:1 PAR), but some video formats, especially in broadcast television, use non-square pixels. This is different from the display aspect ratio (DAR), which describes the overall shape of the image or video frame.
Black bars (also called letterboxing or pillarboxing) appear when the aspect ratio of the video content doesn't match the aspect ratio of the display. For example, when a widescreen movie (such as 2.39:1) is shown on a 16:9 TV, horizontal black bars appear at the top and bottom. Similarly, when older 4:3 content is shown on a 16:9 display, vertical black bars appear on the sides.
Common print aspect ratios include:
- 3:2 - Standard for most DSLR cameras and traditional 4×6 inch prints
- 4:3 - Common for point-and-shoot cameras
- 5:4 - Used for 8×10 inch prints
- 1:1 - Square prints
To avoid unexpected cropping, make sure your photo's aspect ratio matches the print size you want, or be prepared to crop the image to fit.
To calculate an aspect ratio from width and height, you can express it as width:height (for example, 1920:1080). To simplify this ratio, divide both numbers by their greatest common divisor (GCD). For example, the GCD of 1920 and 1080 is 120, so 1920:1080 simplifies to 16:9 (1920÷120 : 1080÷120). Our calculator does this automatically.
Cinematic aspect ratios are typically wider than standard 16:9 and are used in feature films to create a more immersive, theatrical experience. Common cinematic aspect ratios include 2.39:1 (sometimes referred to as 2.35:1 or 2.4:1), which is used for most modern widescreen films, and 1.85:1, which is also common in cinema. These wider formats allow filmmakers to capture more expansive scenes and create specific visual compositions.
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