Updated July 1, 2026
Aspect ratios reference
Aspect ratio describes the shape of an image or screen, independent of size. This sheet lists the ratios you meet most, with sample resolutions that share each one.
Common ratios
| Ratio | Example resolutions | Common use |
|---|---|---|
16:9 | 1280x720, 1920x1080, 3840x2160 | Widescreen video, monitors, TVs, YouTube |
9:16 | 1080x1920, 720x1280 | Vertical video: Reels, Shorts, TikTok, Stories |
4:3 | 800x600, 1024x768, 1600x1200 | Legacy displays, some cameras and slides |
1:1 | 1080x1080, 1200x1200 | Square social posts, avatars, thumbnails |
3:2 | 1080x720, 3000x2000 | DSLR photography, prints |
21:9 | 2560x1080, 3440x1440 | Ultrawide monitors, cinematic video |
Same ratio, many sizesEvery resolution in a row shares the ratio, so images scale between them without distortion. To reduce a resolution to its ratio, divide both sides by their greatest common divisor.
Changing ratio crops or stretchesMoving an image to a different ratio means cropping or adding bars — the shape changes. Crop rather than stretch to avoid distorting the picture.
References
Questions
What is the most common aspect ratio?
16:9 is the standard for monitors, TVs, and most online video. Vertical 9:16 has become common for phone-first content like Reels and Shorts.
What resolution is 16:9?
Many resolutions are 16:9, including 1280x720 (720p), 1920x1080 (1080p), and 3840x2160 (4K). They all share the same widescreen shape.