What is Aspect Ratio?
Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of an image, screen, or video. It's expressed as two numbers separated by a colon (e.g., 16:9), where the first number represents the width and the second represents the height.
How to Calculate Aspect Ratio
To find the aspect ratio, divide both the width and height by their greatest common divisor (GCD). For example, a 1920×1080 image has a GCD of 120, so 1920÷120 = 16 and 1080÷120 = 9, giving us the ratio 16:9.
Common Aspect Ratios
- 16:9 - Standard widescreen format for HD video, TV, and monitors
- 4:3 - Classic TV and computer monitor format
- 1:1 - Square format, popular for social media posts
- 21:9 - Ultrawide cinematic format
- 9:16 - Vertical video for mobile devices (Stories, TikTok)
- 3:2 - Standard 35mm film and DSLR photo format
Why Aspect Ratio Matters
Maintaining the correct aspect ratio ensures images and videos display properly without stretching or distortion. When resizing content, always scale proportionally to preserve the original aspect ratio. This is crucial for:
- Video editing and production
- Web design and responsive images
- Print design and photography
- Social media content creation
- Screen and display manufacturing