Aspect Ratio Comparison
Visual comparison of common aspect ratios. Understand when to use 16:9, 4:3, 1:1, 21:9, and other ratios for your content.
Quick Reference
| Aspect Ratio | Decimal | Common Use | Example Resolutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | 1.000 | Social media (Instagram feed) | 1080×1080, 1200×1200 |
| 4:5 | 0.800 | Instagram portrait, Pinterest | 1080×1350, 1200×1500 |
| 3:2 | 1.500 | Photography (35mm film, DSLRs) | 3000×2000, 4500×3000 |
| 4:3 | 1.333 | Classic TV, presentations, iPads | 1024×768, 1600×1200 |
| 16:10 | 1.600 | MacBooks, professional monitors | 1920×1200, 2560×1600 |
| 16:9 | 1.778 | HD video, YouTube, modern TVs | 1920×1080, 3840×2160 |
| 9:16 | 0.563 | Vertical video (TikTok, Stories) | 1080×1920, 1440×2560 |
| 21:9 | 2.333 | Ultrawide monitors, cinema | 2560×1080, 3440×1440 |
Visual Comparison
1:1
1:1 (Square)
Instagram, Profile Pictures
4:5
4:5 (Portrait)
Instagram Feed, Pinterest
3:2
3:2
DSLR Photography
4:3
4:3
Classic TV, iPad
16:10
16:10
MacBook, Pro Monitors
16:9
16:9 (HD)
YouTube, Modern TV
9:16
9:16 (Vertical)
TikTok, Stories
21:9
21:9 (Ultrawide)
Cinema, Gaming Monitors
Square & Portrait Ratios
1:1 (Square)
Decimal Value:
1.000
Common Resolutions:
1080×1080, 1200×1200, 2048×2048
Platforms:
Instagram feed, Facebook posts, profile pictures
Use Cases:
Social media, product photos, album covers
Pro Tip: Square images are the most versatile for social media. They display well on all devices and don't get cropped in most feeds. Perfect for brand consistency across platforms.
4:5 (Portrait)
Decimal Value:
0.800
Common Resolutions:
1080×1350, 1200×1500, 1440×1800
Platforms:
Instagram feed, Pinterest, Facebook
Use Cases:
Portrait photography, infographics, mobile-first content
Pro Tip: 4:5 takes up more vertical space in mobile feeds, increasing visibility and engagement. Ideal for stopping the scroll on Instagram and Pinterest.
9:16 (Vertical Video)
Decimal Value:
0.563
Common Resolutions:
1080×1920, 1440×2560, 2160×3840
Platforms:
TikTok, Instagram Stories/Reels, YouTube Shorts
Use Cases:
Mobile video, stories, short-form content
Pro Tip: 9:16 is the native smartphone orientation and dominates short-form video. Essential for TikTok, Stories, and Reels. Design for vertical viewing from the start.
Classic & Professional Ratios
3:2
Decimal Value:
1.500
Common Resolutions:
3000×2000, 4500×3000, 6000×4000
Devices:
35mm film, most DSLRs (Canon, Nikon, Sony)
Use Cases:
Photography prints, professional images
Pro Tip: 3:2 is the traditional photography ratio from 35mm film. It's the native format for most professional cameras and works beautifully for landscape and portrait photography.
4:3
Decimal Value:
1.333
Common Resolutions:
1024×768, 1600×1200, 2048×1536
Devices:
Classic TVs, iPad, projectors, older monitors
Use Cases:
Presentations, legacy video, tablets
Pro Tip: 4:3 dominated before widescreen became standard. Still used for presentations (PowerPoint default) and iPad displays. More vertical space than 16:9, better for documents and reading.
16:10
Decimal Value:
1.600
Common Resolutions:
1920×1200, 2560×1600, 3840×2400
Devices:
MacBook Air/Pro, professional monitors
Use Cases:
Professional work, coding, content creation
Pro Tip: 16:10 offers more vertical space than 16:9, making it ideal for productivity. Preferred by professionals for coding, writing, and multitasking. Standard for MacBooks.
Widescreen & Cinematic Ratios
16:9 (HD Standard)
Decimal Value:
1.778
Common Resolutions:
1920×1080 (FHD), 3840×2160 (4K), 7680×4320 (8K)
Platforms:
YouTube, Netflix, TV broadcasts, gaming
Use Cases:
Video production, streaming, presentations
Pro Tip: 16:9 is the universal standard for video. Use 1920×1080 for HD, 3840×2160 for 4K. Perfect for YouTube, TV, and any horizontal video content.
21:9 (Ultrawide)
Decimal Value:
2.333
Common Resolutions:
2560×1080, 3440×1440, 5120×2160
Devices:
Ultrawide monitors, cinema displays
Use Cases:
Gaming, film editing, immersive experiences
Pro Tip: 21:9 provides an ultra-immersive experience for gaming and movies. Matches cinematic DCP scope (2.39:1). Great for productivity with side-by-side windows.
2.39:1 (Cinema Scope)
Decimal Value:
2.390
Common Resolutions:
2048×858 (2K DCP), 4096×1716 (4K DCP)
Use:
Hollywood movies, cinematic content
Also Known As:
CinemaScope, anamorphic widescreen
Pro Tip: 2.39:1 (often called 2.40:1) is the classic cinematic widescreen. Creates those iconic black bars on 16:9 TVs. Use for dramatic, film-like storytelling.
1.85:1 (Flat)
Decimal Value:
1.850
Common Resolutions:
1998×1080, 3996×2160
Use:
Cinema (especially comedies, dramas)
Note:
Between 16:9 and 21:9
Pro Tip: 1.85:1 is a common theatrical ratio, slightly wider than 16:9 but not as extreme as 2.39:1. Popular for films that prioritize characters over landscapes.
Special & Creative Ratios
2:3 (Portrait Photography)
Decimal Value:
0.667
Common Resolutions:
2000×3000, 4000×6000
Use:
Vertical version of 3:2 (DSLR portrait mode)
Print Sizes:
4×6", 8×12", 12×18"
Pro Tip: 2:3 portrait is perfect for vertical photography. Matches common print sizes like 4×6" and 8×12" without cropping. Great for portraits and fashion.
√2:1 (ISO Paper)
Decimal Value:
1.414
Example:
A4 = 210×297 mm
Unique Property:
When halved, retains same ratio
Use:
International paper (A-series)
Pro Tip: √2 ratio is mathematically elegant: fold A4 in half and you get A5 with the exact same proportions. Used worldwide except in the US.
1.618:1 (Golden Ratio)
Decimal Value:
1.618 (φ phi)
Example Resolution:
1920×1187
Found In:
Nature, art, architecture
Use:
Aesthetically pleasing compositions
Pro Tip: The golden ratio is considered the most aesthetically pleasing proportion. Use it for cropping photos or designing layouts for maximum visual harmony.
How to Choose the Right Aspect Ratio
Consider Your Platform
- Instagram feed: 1:1 (square) or 4:5 (portrait) for maximum visibility
- YouTube: 16:9 (1920×1080 or higher) is mandatory
- TikTok/Reels: 9:16 (1080×1920) vertical video only
- Professional photography: 3:2 matches DSLR sensors and print sizes
- Cinematic video: 2.39:1 for dramatic widescreen effect
Consider Your Device
- TVs and monitors: 16:9 for standard, 21:9 for ultrawide gaming/work
- Smartphones: 9:16 for vertical content, 16:9 for landscape video
- Tablets (iPad): 4:3 for reading and documents
- MacBooks: 16:10 for productivity with extra vertical space
Consider Your Content Type
- Portraits & people: Vertical ratios (4:5, 2:3, 9:16) emphasize subjects
- Landscapes & scenery: Horizontal ratios (16:9, 21:9, 3:2) capture expansive views
- Products & logos: 1:1 square is most versatile across platforms
- Documents & text: 4:3 or √2:1 provide better reading experience
Avoid These Common Mistakes
- Don't upload 16:9 landscape videos to TikTok (requires 9:16 vertical)
- Don't crop professional photos to 1:1 if planning to print (use 3:2 or 4:5)
- Don't use 4:3 for YouTube (creates black bars, use 16:9)
- Don't assume one ratio fits all platforms (optimize for each)
Converting Between Aspect Ratios
Cropping
Remove portions of the image to fit the new ratio. Best when you have extra space around your subject. Use the "rule of thirds" to maintain composition.
Letterboxing/Pillarboxing
Add black bars (or colored backgrounds) to maintain original ratio. Letterbox = horizontal bars (top/bottom), pillarbox = vertical bars (left/right).
Stretching (Avoid!)
Never stretch images to fit different ratios. This distorts the content and looks unprofessional. Always crop or letterbox instead.
Shoot/Design with Flexibility
Leave safe space around important elements so you can crop to multiple ratios (1:1, 4:5, 16:9) from one master file. Plan for multi-platform from the start.