Image & Photo Aspect Ratios
Ever take a great photo, but it looks weird or gets cropped when you post it online? The problem is almost always the image aspect ratio!
This guide explains how to get your photo and image sizes right for any platform.
Why Ratios Matter for Photos
The aspect ratio is just the shape of your image (how wide it is compared to how tall it is). If the shape of your photo doesn't match the space you're putting it in, two things can happen:
- Cropping: Parts of your photo get cut off.
- Distortion: Your photo looks stretched or squished.
Using an image ratio calculator helps you find the perfect size to avoid these problems.
Common Photo Ratios
While you can have any shape, most photos use one of these standard aspect ratios:
- 3:2 - The classic shape for photos from a digital camera.
- 4:3 - A common shape for phone cameras and older digital point-and-shoots.
- 1:1 - A perfect square, made famous by Instagram.
- 16:9 - Widescreen, perfect for desktop wallpapers and video thumbnails.
Social Media Image Size Cheat Sheet
Every social media platform has its own preferred shape. To make your posts look their best, use this cheat sheet with the recommended social media aspect ratios.
| Name | Ratio | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram Stories Sizes | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 pixels |
| Instagram Post Size | 4:5 | 1080 x 1350 pixels |
| Instagram Reels Sizes | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 pixels |
| Facebook Stories Sizes | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 pixels |
| Facebook Timeline Photo | 1.91:1 | 1200 x 630 pixels |
| Pinterest Image Sizes | 2:3 | 1000 x 1500 pixels |
| Pinterest Story Pins | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 pixels |
| Snapchat Image Size | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 pixels |
| TikTok Profile Photo | 1:1 | 200 x 200 pixels |
| TikTok Story Size | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 pixels |
| TikTok Carousel Image | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 pixels |
| TikTok Ad Image Size | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 pixels |
Aspect Ratios for Social Media
Social media platforms and videos have specific aspect ratios. For instance, Instagram often uses square images (1:1 ratio), while YouTube prefers the 16x9 aspect ratio.
Knowing these preferences helps you adjust the image or video to fit perfectly on these platforms.
For videos, the aspect ratio affects how they look. A vertical aspect ratio works better for TikTok, while a widescreen ratio is suitable for YouTube.
Make sure to use the right aspect ratio to ensure your videos are displayed correctly.
How to Crop and Resize Images
Fixing an image's aspect ratio is easy. Just follow these steps:
- Know Your Goal: Decide where the image will be posted (e.g., an Instagram Story). Use our cheat sheet to find its ratio (9:16).
- Find the Right Size: Use our photo ratio calculator to find the exact pixel dimensions you need.
- Crop Carefully: Use any photo editing app to crop your image to the new size. Make sure the most important part of your photo is still in the frame!
By taking a moment to adjust the photo size, you ensure your images look professional and clear everywhere you share them.