Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio is an important consideration when creating content for both video and images.

We have created this aspect ratio guide to provide you with a quick introduction to what aspect ratio is and how it is used.

What is Aspect Ratio

Essentially, aspect ratio refers to the proportional relationship between the width and height of a given display or image.

When it comes to video, the two most common aspect ratios are 4:3 and 16:9.

A 4:3 aspect ratio calculator can help you determine the ideal aspect ratio for traditional TV displays and computer monitors. Meanwhile, the 16:9 screen size is often used for widescreen displays.

For images, aspect ratio is also an important consideration. Common aspect ratios for images include 1:1, 4:3, and 3:2.

The aspect ratio you choose will depend on the purpose of the image and the display or medium on which it will be shown.

Understanding video aspect ratio and image aspect ratio is essential for creating high-quality content that looks great on any device.

By using a 4:3 ratio calculator or a 16:9 calculator, you can ensure that your video content is optimized for the most common display types.

And by choosing the right aspect ratio for your images, you can make sure they look their best on the platforms where they will be displayed.

Common Aspect Ratios

Here is a list of the most common aspect ratios used widely across industries.

16:9 (1.78:1)

This is the standard widescreen aspect ratio used in most modern digital devices, such as TVs, computer monitors, and mobile devices.

It is also commonly used in video production for YouTube, Vimeo, and other online platforms.

4:3 (1.33:1)

This aspect ratio was the standard for older TVs, computer monitors, and digital cameras.

While it is less commonly used today, it is still used for certain applications, such as digital signage and some video production.

21:9 (2.33:1)

This is the ultra-widescreen aspect ratio commonly used in modern cinema and home theater displays.

2.35:1

This is another widescreen aspect ratio used in modern cinema and home theater displays, particularly for epic and panoramic shots.

1:1

This is a square aspect ratio commonly used in social media platforms such as Instagram, where it is the standard format for photos and videos.

5:4

This is a portrait-oriented aspect ratio used for some photography applications, such as large-format and medium-format cameras.

3:2

This is a common aspect ratio used in photography for 35mm film and digital cameras.

16:10 (1.6:1)

This aspect ratio is used for some computer monitors and was popular in the mid-2000s.

3:1 and 4:1

These aspect ratios are for ultra-wide-/ panoramic shots and displays.

14:10 and 19:10

14:10 (1.4:1) is known used for IMAX Film and the 19:10 (1.9:1) is for IMAX Digital, which most IMAX cinemas use today.

Change Aspect Ratio

Changing the aspect ratio means altering the dimensions of an image or video, making it appear narrower or wider than the original version.

This can be done to fit the content on different screens or to give it a different look.

However, changing the aspect ratio can sometimes result in stretching or cropping the image, which may lead to a loss in quality or a distorted appearance.

It's important to understand the impact of changing aspect ratio before making any alterations.

Computer Screens Sizes

Here are the 5 most popular computer screen sizes in pixels and their corresponding aspect ratios:

• 1920x1080 (16:9) - This is the most common screen resolution, also known as Full HD or 1080p. It is used for a wide range of displays, from laptops to large desktop monitors.
• 1366x768 (16:9) - This is a common screen resolution for laptops and smaller displays. It is also known as HD or 720p.
• 2560x1440 (16:9) - This resolution is also known as WQHD or 1440p. It is used for high-end displays, such as gaming monitors and professional-grade monitors.
• 3840x2160 (16:9) - This is also known as Ultra HD or 4K resolution. It is used for high-end displays, such as high-end gaming monitors and professional-grade monitors.
• 1280x800 (16:10) - This aspect ratio is commonly used for laptops, especially those with smaller screens. It is also commonly used for tablet displays.

Aspect Ratio & Black Bars

The aspect ratio you end up with depends on the camera used to shoot. Some cameras have permanently set aspect ratios, while others allow you to choose the format.

Manufacturers have made it possible to adjust aspect ratios to suit media formats and display technology, which can result in horizontal or vertical black bars when watching content on your TV or computer monitor.

You can remove these bars by cropping the picture or stretching it, but this may distort the image.

Manufacturers have made it possible to adjust aspect ratio to suit media formats and display technology.

Understanding aspect ratio can help you produce higher quality work. As a viewer, you can manipulate it for a better viewing experience.

However, you can only get a perfect image when you play media with the same aspect ratio as your screen.