Whether you’re posting to social feeds, creating Shorts/Reels, or hosting virtual meetings, the right aspect ratio keeps your video sharp, correctly framed, and free from awkward letterboxing.
TL;DR: Aspect ratio is width:height (e.g., 16:9, 9:16, 1:1). Use 16:9 for YouTube/desktop, 9:16 for Shorts/Reels/TikTok, and 1:1 or 4:5 for feed posts. See the calculator, cheat sheet and platform sizes below.
Table of Contents
In this article, we'll unravel the mysteries of aspect ratios and delve into their significance across different digital landscapes.
Aspect ratio is the width-to-height proportion of your video frame, written as width:height (e.g., 16:9 or 4:3). It determines how your video displays across screens and platforms.
Getting the ratio right prevents black bars, cropping and soft-looking upscales. The most common ratios today are 16:9 (landscape), 9:16 (vertical) and 1:1 (square).
Video aspect ratios have evolved over the past few years with the diversification of devices. The most common aspect ratio for video content on the web is 16:9 for widescreen display, 1:1 for square display and 9:16 for vertical display.
Let’s explore the different aspect ratios for video creation.
Anamorphic widescreen is a picture on standard 35 mm with a non-widescreen native aspect ratio. It can be displayed by a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. However, when displayed on a 16:9 screen, you’ll notice black bars on the top and bottom that accommodate a wider field of view of the display screen.
Aspect ratio defines proportions; resolution defines pixel count (detail). The same ratio can exist at many resolutions (e.g., 16:9 at 1280×720, 1920×1080, 3840×2160). Keep three related terms straight:
| Aspect ratio | Common pixel dimensions | Typical use cases | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16:9 (Widescreen) | 1280×720 (HD), 1920×1080 (FHD), 2560×1440 (QHD), 3840×2160 (4K UHD) | YouTube, TV, streaming, webinars | Most universal; no letterboxing on modern screens |
| 9:16 (Vertical) | 720×1280, 1080×1920 | TikTok, Instagram Reels/Stories, YouTube Shorts, Snapchat | Optimised for mobile-first; full-screen on phones |
| 1:1 (Square) | 1080×1080, 1920×1920 | Instagram feed, LinkedIn feed | Balanced; often higher engagement in feeds |
| 4:5 (Portrait) | 1080×1350 | Instagram feed ads, LinkedIn | Taller than square; takes more screen space without cropping |
| 4:3 (Fullscreen) | 640×480 (SD), 1440×1080 (HD anamorphic) | Legacy TV, webcams, older footage | Still used in some CCTV and conferencing setups |
| 21:9 (Cinematic) | 2560×1080, 3440×1440, 4096×1716 | CinemaScope, ultrawide monitors | Letterboxed on most consumer displays |
| 1.90:1 (Digital Cinema) | 4096×2160 | Theatrical releases, IMAX digital | Close to 17:9; cinematic precision |
| 2.39:1 (Anamorphic) | Variable (cropped 4K) | Films, trailers | Produces black bars on 16:9 displays |
Follow the latest platform guidance to avoid cropping and soft upscales. Keep key text in central safe zones.
| Platform | Best ratios | Recommended resolution | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 16:9 (standard), 9:16 (Shorts); 1:1 supported | 1920×1080 (HD), 3840×2160 (4K) | Non-16:9 is padded to fit devices |
| Reels/Stories: 9:16; Feed: 1:1, 4:5, 1.91:1 | 1080×1920 (Reels/Stories), 1080×1350 (4:5) | Safe zone for Reels: centre ~1080×1440 | |
| TikTok | 9:16 primary; 1:1 and 16:9 supported | 1080×1920 | Vertical performs best |
| 1:1, 16:9, 4:5, 9:16 (mobile) | 1080×1080 (square), 1920×1080 (widescreen) | Square often wins feed space | |
| X (Twitter) | 16:9 (landscape), 1:1 (square) | 1280×720+, 1080×1080 | Wide crops in-feed; open for full view |
| Feed: 1:1 or 16:9; Reels/Stories: 9:16 | 1080×1080 (feed), 1080×1920 (Reels/Stories) | Choose per placement | |
| Digital Samba (conferencing) | 16:9, 4:3 supported | 720p–4K (plan-dependent) | Auto-adapts to participants’ screens |
There isn’t a single “best” aspect ratio. Use 16:9 or standard viewing on laptops/TVs and YouTube; 9:16 for mobile-first Shorts/Reels/TikTok; 1:1 or 4:5 for feed posts that need more vertical space.
Choose based on your audience, placement and device usage. For ads, follow each platform’s current guidance and keep text within safe zones to avoid cropping.
You can convert footage by cropping (fills the frame but may cut subject matter) or by letterboxing/pillarboxing (adds black padding to preserve content). Do this in your editor rather than with generic converters.
Tip: If you regularly publish in multiple ratios, shoot a little wider to preserve headroom for vertical reframes.
As we wrap up our exploration of video aspect ratios, let's delve deeper into their technical impact on video production. Embracing diversity in aspect ratios and resolutions offers you a canvas of innovation to experiment with and enhance your content's visual narrative.
When it comes to Digital Samba, the intricacies of aspect ratios vary across platforms and devices. The adaptable nature of these ratios, such as the standard video aspect ratio, 16:9 and traditional 4:3, underscores the importance of compatibility.
For video conference participants seeking precision, Digital Samba Embedded tailored approach ensures your content resonates flawlessly with the platform or device you’re using. It's more than just ratios; it's about making technology work seamlessly for your creative vision.
It’s the width:height proportion of your frame, e.g., 16:9 (landscape), 9:16 (vertical), 1:1 (square). It affects how your video fits different screens.
For most modern screens and YouTube, the standard is 16:9. Social apps often prefer 9:16 for full-screen vertical viewing.
Pixels express resolution, not the ratio itself. However, certain pixel sets imply ratios—e.g., 1920×1080 reduces to 16:9; 1080×1920 reduces to 9:16.
If your upload isn’t 16:9, the player pads the sides (pillarbox) or top/bottom (letterbox) so the video fits the display without distortion.