Aspect Ratio Explained

An aspect ratio describes the proportional relationship between an image's width and its height. It is commonly expressed as two numbers separated by a colon, such as 16:9, where the first number represents the width and the second represents the height.

How Aspect Ratios Are Calculated

The aspect ratio is calculated by dividing the width by the height and then simplifying the resulting fraction. For example, an image that is 1920 pixels wide and 1080 pixels high has an aspect ratio of 1920/1080, which simplifies to 16/9, or 16:9.

Common Aspect Ratio Examples

• 16:9: Standard for modern televisions, computer monitors, and most online video platforms (e.g., YouTube, Netflix).
• 4:3: Traditional aspect ratio for older televisions and computer monitors.
• 21:9 (2.35:1 or 2.39:1): Often referred to as 'Cinemascope' or 'Ultrawide', used for widescreen movies and ultrawide monitors.
• 1:1: A perfect square, commonly used for social media profile pictures and some photography.

Using the Aspect Ratio Calculator: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Enter Width: Input the width of your image or video into the 'Width' field.
2. Enter Height: Input the height of your image or video into the 'Height' field.
3. View Result: The calculator will automatically display the simplified aspect ratio (e.g., 16:9) and the decimal ratio (e.g., 1.78) in the result section.
4. Adjust as Needed: Experiment with different width and height values to understand how they affect the aspect ratio.