Calculate aspect ratios, convert between dimensions, and resize images or videos while maintaining perfect proportions.
Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between an image's width and height. It's expressed as two numbers separated by a colon, like 16:9 or 4:3. Understanding aspect ratios is essential for photographers, videographers, graphic designers, and anyone working with visual content. The right aspect ratio ensures your content displays correctly across different platforms and devices without unwanted cropping or black bars.
The most common aspect ratio in modern video is 16:9, which has become the universal standard for HD and 4K content. This widescreen format was adopted because it closely matches the natural field of human vision, providing an immersive viewing experience. However, with the rise of social media, vertical formats like 9:16 (used by TikTok and Instagram Stories) have gained massive popularity, fundamentally changing how we consume video content.
16:9 (Widescreen)
The standard for HDTV, YouTube, and most streaming platforms. Resolutions include 1920×1080 (Full HD), 2560×1440 (2K), and 3840×2160 (4K). This ratio balances cinematic width with practical screen real estate.
9:16 (Vertical Video)
The mobile-first format dominating social media. TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Snapchat all use this portrait orientation. Optimal resolution is 1080×1920 pixels.
1:1 (Square)
Instagram's original format, still popular for feed posts. Square images work well on both desktop and mobile, making them versatile for various platforms. Standard size is 1080×1080.
4:3 (Traditional)
The classic TV format before HD. Still used for legacy content, some tablets, and PowerPoint presentations. Common resolutions include 1024×768 and 1440×1080.
| Platform | Content Type | Aspect Ratio | Recommended Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | Standard Video | 16:9 | 1920×1080 or 3840×2160 |
| Feed Post | 1:1 or 4:5 | 1080×1080 or 1080×1350 | |
| TikTok | Short Video | 9:16 | 1080×1920 |
| Twitter/X | Image Tweet | 16:9 | 1600×900 |
| Post Image | 1.91:1 | 1200×628 |
Pro Tip: Always export at the highest resolution possible for your target ratio. You can always scale down, but scaling up causes quality loss.