Maxi Calculator

Aspect Ratio Calculator

Calculate and convert aspect ratios for perfect proportions

Aspect Ratio Calculator

Enter the width in pixels or units

Enter the height in pixels or units

Table of Contents

How to Calculate Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio is calculated by dividing the width by the height and then simplifying to the lowest common denominator:

  • Take your width and height measurements
  • Find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of both numbers
  • Divide both width and height by the GCD
  • Express as width:height (e.g., 16:9)

For example, a 1920×1080 screen has an aspect ratio of 16:9 because 1920÷120 = 16 and 1080÷120 = 9.

Common Aspect Ratios

Display & Video

  • 16:9 - HD, Full HD, 4K displays
  • 21:9 - Ultrawide monitors
  • 4:3 - Traditional monitors, tablets
  • 3:2 - Surface tablets, some laptops

Photography & Print

  • 3:2 - 35mm film, DSLR cameras
  • 4:3 - Point-and-shoot cameras
  • 1:1 - Square format, Instagram
  • 5:4 - Large format photography

Practical Applications

Aspect ratio calculations are essential for:

  • Web Design: Ensuring images fit properly in layouts
  • Video Production: Matching content to platform requirements
  • Photography: Cropping images for different print sizes
  • Display Setup: Choosing monitors with compatible ratios
  • Social Media: Creating content for specific platform formats
  • Print Design: Scaling artwork for different paper sizes

Scaling Tips

  • Always maintain aspect ratio to avoid distortion
  • Use crop tools instead of stretch when changing ratios
  • Consider the viewing context when choosing aspect ratios
  • Test your content on different screen sizes and orientations
  • Keep original files at high resolution for future scaling
  • Use vector graphics when possible for infinite scalability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an aspect ratio?

An aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of an image, screen, or video. It's expressed as two numbers separated by a colon (e.g., 16:9) or as a decimal value.

What's the difference between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios?

16:9 is a widescreen format commonly used for modern TVs, monitors, and videos, while 4:3 is a more square format traditionally used for older TVs and computer monitors. 16:9 provides a wider viewing area.

How do I maintain aspect ratio when resizing?

To maintain aspect ratio, you need to scale both width and height proportionally. If you know one dimension, multiply or divide by the aspect ratio to find the other dimension.

What aspect ratio should I use for social media?

Different platforms prefer different ratios: Instagram posts (1:1), Instagram Stories (9:16), YouTube videos (16:9), TikTok (9:16), and Facebook posts (1.91:1 for landscape).