Aspect Ratio Calculator
Calculate, convert, and scale aspect ratios for images, videos, and screens
Disclaimer: This tool provides mathematical calculations for aspect ratios. For medical imaging or other critical applications, always verify with professional standards.
Tip: Use this calculator for responsive design, video production, or photo cropping.
Common Aspect Ratios
Aspect Ratio Results
Simplified Ratio:
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Decimal Value:
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Percentage:
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Common Uses:
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Calculated Dimensions
Width:
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Height:
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Scaled Dimensions
New Width:
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New Height:
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Aspect Ratio:
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Scale Factor:
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Understanding Aspect Ratios
What is Aspect Ratio?
Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between an image's width and height. It's expressed as two numbers separated by a colon (e.g., 16:9). This ratio remains constant when scaling, ensuring images don't appear stretched or squashed.
Why It Matters
Different devices and platforms require specific aspect ratios. Using the wrong ratio can result in black bars (letterboxing) or cropped content. Proper aspect ratios ensure your content displays as intended across all mediums.
"The 16:9 aspect ratio became the HD video standard because it provided the best compromise between cinema widescreen (2.39:1) and traditional TV (4:3) formats."
Common Aspect Ratio Applications
Video Production
16:9 is standard for HD video, while 4:3 is still used for some broadcast. Cinematic formats (21:9) create a dramatic widescreen effect. Vertical video (9:16) dominates mobile platforms like Instagram Stories and TikTok.
Photography
DSLRs typically use 3:2 sensors, while micro four-thirds cameras use 4:3. Square (1:1) is popular for Instagram, and 5:4 is common for large format photography. Always consider final display medium when choosing ratios.
Web Design
Responsive design requires flexible aspect ratios. Common image ratios include 16:9 for hero images, 1:1 for thumbnails, and 4:3 for content images. CSS aspect-ratio property now simplifies maintaining proportions during responsive scaling.
Pro Tip: When converting between aspect ratios, use the "pillarbox" (adding side bars) or "letterbox" (adding top/bottom bars) technique to maintain original content rather than cropping important elements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate aspect ratio?
Divide width by height to get the decimal value (e.g., 1920÷1080=1.78). Simplify the fraction (1920:1080 becomes 16:9) by dividing both numbers by their greatest common divisor (GCD). Our calculator does this automatically.
What's the difference between 16:9 and 16:10?
16:10 (1.6:1) is slightly taller than 16:9 (1.78:1), providing more vertical space. Common in computer monitors, 16:10 offers better productivity for documents and web browsing, while 16:9 is better for video content.
How do I maintain aspect ratio when resizing?
Multiply both dimensions by the same scaling factor. For example, to double a 1920×1080 image: 1920×2=3840 and 1080×2=2160. Our scale calculator automates this process while preserving your original ratio.
What's the best aspect ratio for social media?
It varies by platform: Instagram feed (1:1, 4:5), Stories (9:16), Facebook cover (16:9), Pinterest (2:3), and LinkedIn (1:1.25). Always check current platform guidelines as they frequently update requirements.
Can I convert between aspect ratios without cropping?
Yes, by adding mattes (black/colored bars) to maintain original content. For 4:3 content on 16:9, add pillarboxes (side bars). For 16:9 on 4:3, add letterboxes (top/bottom bars). This preserves all image content while fitting the new ratio.