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Aspect Ratio
Size Calculator

Select Ratio

💡 Click the ratio buttons above to quickly set common aspect ratios

What is aspect ratio?

In a 2D world, Aspect Ratio is the ratio of width to height of a rectangular object. In the media domain, it can be used for Display, Image and Video sizes.

Representation of aspect ratio

It is represented as width:height (in reduced form). For example, an image of size 300px x 300px has an aspect ratio of 1:1, and an image with size 300px x 150px has an aspect ratio of 2:1.

There are countless possibilities for sizes for a specific aspect ratio. This tool can be used to determine the size of one dimension or both for a given aspect ratio.

Common Aspect Ratios

Here are some widely used aspect ratios across different media:

  • 16:9 – The standard widescreen format for videos and modern displays.
  • 4:3 – The traditional format for TVs and computer monitors.
  • 1:1 – A square format that is popular on social media platforms.
  • 21:9 – An ultra-wide cinematic format used in films.
  • 3:2 – A common aspect ratio in photography, particularly with DSLR cameras.
  • 9:16 – A portrait mode format typically used for mobile-first content, especially in videos.

Use Cases

Photography

  • 3:2 - Most DSLR cameras shoot in this ratio
  • 1:1 - Instagram’s classic square format
  • 4:3 - Point-and-shoot cameras often use this ratio

Video Production

  • 16:9 - YouTube, streaming platforms
  • 21:9 - Cinematic widescreen
  • 1.85:1 - Standard theatrical releases
  • 2.39:1 - Anamorphic widescreen

Web Design

  • 16:9 - Hero images, video embeds
  • 1:1 - Profile pictures, thumbnails
  • 4:3 - Legacy content compatibility

Tips for Choosing Aspect Ratios

  1. Consider your platform

    • Social media platforms often have specific requirements
    • Streaming services may letterbox non-conforming ratios
  2. Think about device orientation

    • Mobile devices primarily use portrait orientation
    • Desktop displays are typically landscape
  3. Content type matters

    • Landscapes often work better in wide ratios
    • Portraits typically suit taller ratios
    • Product photos may need specific ratios for consistency

Technical Considerations

  1. Resolution Independence

    • Aspect ratios remain constant regardless of size
    • Helpful for responsive design
  2. Image Cropping

    • Always crop to maintain aspect ratio
    • Avoid stretching or squashing images
  3. Performance

    • Consider bandwidth when serving different sizes
    • Use responsive images with multiple ratios

Using the Calculator

  1. Select a common ratio or enter custom values
  2. Enter one dimension (width or height)
  3. Get the corresponding dimension automatically
  4. Use the calculated values in your projects

Maintaining proper aspect ratios is essential for a professional appearance, cross-platform compatibility, a consistent user experience, and proper display across different devices.