7 min read
2026-02-05
Aspect ratio is the proportion between the width and height of a video frame. Choosing the right format is critically important for quality content display.
| Ratio | Resolution | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 16:9 | 1920x1080, 3840x2160 | YouTube, television, streaming |
| 9:16 | 1080x1920 | TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts |
| 4:3 | 1024x768 | Classic TV, presentations |
| 1:1 | 1080x1080 | Instagram posts, avatars |
| 21:9 | 2560x1080 | Cinema, ultrawide monitors |
If you know one side and the ratio, the other is calculated automatically:
With 16:9 and width 1920: height = 1920 / 16 x 9 = 1080
With 9:16 and height 1920: width = 1920 / 16 x 9 = 1080
An incorrect aspect ratio leads to:
For social media, check the current platform requirements
Shoot at maximum resolution and crop during editing
Keep in mind that mobile viewers prefer vertical format
Calculate dimensions with the Aspect Ratio Calculator.
See also: Tone Generator, Metronome
Calculate aspect ratios and resolutions for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and screens
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