This comprehensive cheat sheet demystifies aspect ratios for digital content creation, covering everything from standard definitions to 8K UHD, catering to both traditional displays and modern platforms like ultra-wide monitors and mobile devices. It provides essential calculations, the importance of aspect ratios in composition and viewer experience, alongside tailored advice for content creators. A valuable tool, it ensures optimal display across various media, enhancing compatibility and viewer engagement.
The Basics
What is an Aspect Ratio?
- Aspect Ratio refers to the proportional relationship between the width and height of a video or image. It's usually expressed as two numbers separated by a colon (e.g., 16:9).
Calculating Aspect Ratios
- To calculate the aspect ratio of a digital file, divide the width by the height. The result is then simplified to the nearest common aspect ratios (e.g., 1920x1080 becomes 16:9).
Importance of Aspect Ratios
- Composition: The aspect ratio affects the composition of your shots, influencing how elements are framed and what is visible to the audience.
- Viewer Experience: It also affects the viewing experience, with certain ratios better suited for particular platforms or devices.
- Compatibility: Using the correct aspect ratio ensures your content displays correctly without unnecessary cropping or letterboxing.
Tips for Content Creators
- Always consider the final platform where your content will be displayed when choosing an aspect ratio.
- Test how your content looks on different devices to ensure a consistent viewing experience.
- Be mindful of how changing the aspect ratio can alter the composition and feel of your content.
Lists of Aspect Ratios
Standard Definition (SD) Resolutions
Even in an era dominated by high-definition content, understanding and working with Standard Definition (SD) resolutions can be essential, especially for projects involving archival footage or specific broadcasting standards. Here are the common SD aspect ratios and their resolutions:
| Aspect Ratio |
Common Resolutions |
Description |
| 4:3 |
640x480 (VGA), 720x576 (PAL) |
The classic TV and early computer monitor aspect ratio, widely used before the adoption of 16:9. |
| 16:9 |
720x480 (Widescreen SD) |
A widescreen format that became the standard for DVD and digital TV broadcasting in SD. |
These resolutions provide a nostalgic quality or fulfill specific requirements for compatibility with older media and broadcast standards.
1080p
| Aspect Ratio |
Resolution |
| 0.80 (4:5) |
864 x 1080 |
| 1.25 (5:4) |
1350 x 1080 |
| 1.33 (4:3) |
1440 x 1080 |
| 1.66 (5:3) |
1800 x 1080 |
| 1.78 (16:9) |
1920 x 1080 |
| 1.85 |
1920 x 1038 |
| 1.90 |
1920 x 1011 |
| 2.00 |
1920 x 960 |
| 2.35 |
1920 x 817 |
| 2.37 |
1920 x 810 |
| 2.39 |
1920 x 803 |
| 2.40 |
1920 x 800 |
| 2.44 |
1920 x 787 |
720p
| Aspect Ratio |
Resolution |
| 0.80 (4:5) |
576 x 720 |
| 1.25 (5:4) |
900 x 720 |
| 1.33 (4:3) |
960 x 720 |
| 1.66 (5:3) |
1200 x 720 |
| 1.78 (16:9) |
1280 x 720 |
| 1.85 |
1280 x 692 |
| 1.90 |
1280 x 674 |
| 2.00 |
1280 x 640 |
| 2.35 |
1280 x 545 |
| 2.37 |
1280 x 540 |
| 2.39 |
1280 x 536 |
| 2.40 |
1280 x 533 |
| 2.44 |
1280 x 525 |
Cinema DCP 4K
| Aspect Ratio |
Resolution |
| Flat (1.85) |
3996 x 2160 |
| Scope (2.39) |
4096 x 1716 |
| Full Container (1.90) |
4096 x 2160 |
Cinema DCP 2K
| Aspect Ratio |
Resolution |
| Flat (1.85) |
1998 x 1080 |
| Scope (2.39) |
2048 x 858 |
| Full Container (1.90) |
2048 x 1080 |
8K
| Aspect Ratio |
Resolution |
| 0.80 (4:5) |
3686 x 4608 |
| 1.25 (5:4) |
5760 x 4608 |
| 1.33 (4:3) |
6144 x 4608 |
| 1.66 (5:3) |
7680 x 4608 |
| 1.78 (16:9) |
8192 x 4608 |
| 1.85 |
8192 x 4428 |
| 1.90 |
8192 x 4320 |
| 2.00 |
8192 x 4096 |
| 2.35 |
8192 x 3486 |
| 2.37 |
8192 x 3456 |
| 2.39 |
8192 x 3428 |
| 2.40 |
8192 x 3413 |
| 2.44 |
8192 x 3357 |
6K
| Aspect Ratio |
Resolution |
| 0.80 (4:5) |
2765 x 3456 |
| 1.25 (5:4) |
4320 x 3456 |
| 1.33 (4:3) |
4608 x 3456 |
| 1.66 (5:3) |
5760 x 3456 |
| 1.78 (16:9) |
6144 x 3456 |
| 1.85 |
6144 x 3321 |
| 1.90 |
6144 x 3234 |
| 2.00 |
6144 x 3072 |
| 2.35 |
6144 x 2614 |
| 2.37 |
6144 x 2592 |
| 2.39 |
6144 x 2571 |
| 2.40 |
6144 x 2560 |
| 2.44 |
6144 x 2518 |
4K
| Aspect Ratio |
Resolution |
| 0.80 (4:5) |
2765 x 3456 |
| 1.25 (5:4) |
4320 x 3456 |
| 1.33 (4:3) |
4608 x 3456 |
| 1.66 (5:3) |
5760 x 3456 |
| 1.78 (16:9) |
6144 x 3456 |
| 1.85 |
6144 x 3321 |
| 1.90 |
6144 x 3234 |
| 2.00 |
6144 x 3072 |
| 2.35 |
6144 x 2614 |
| 2.37 |
6144 x 2592 |
| 2.39 |
6144 x 2571 |
| 2.40 |
6144 x 2560 |
| 2.44 |
6144 x 2518 |
3K
| Aspect Ratio |
Resolution |
| 0.80 (4:5) |
1382 x 1728 |
| 1.25 (5:4) |
2160 x 1728 |
| 1.33 (4:3) |
2304 x 1728 |
| 1.66 (5:3) |
2880 x 1728 |
| 1.78 (16:9) |
3072 x 1728 |
| 1.85 |
3072 x 1661 |
| 1.90 |
3072 x 1620 |
| 2.00 |
3072 x 1536 |
| 2.35 |
3072 x 1307 |
| 2.37 |
3072 x 1296 |
| 2.39 |
3072 x 1285 |
| 2.40 |
3072 x 1280 |
| 2.44 |
3072 x 1259 |
2K
| Aspect Ratio |
Resolution |
| 0.80 (4:5) |
922 x 1152 |
| 1.25 (5:4) |
1440 x 1152 |
| 1.33 (4:3) |
1536 x 1152 |
| 1.66 (5:3) |
1920 x 1152 |
| 1.78 (16:9) |
2048 x 1152 |
| 1.85 |
2048 x 1107 |
| 1.90 |
2048 x 1078 |
| 2.00 |
2048 x 1024 |
| 2.35 |
2048 x 871 |
| 2.37 |
2048 x 864 |
| 2.39 |
2048 x 858 |
| 2.40 |
2048 x 853 |
| 2.44 |
2048 x 838 |
8K UHD
| Aspect Ratio |
Resolution |
| 0.80 (4:5) |
2765 x 3456 |
| 1.25 (5:4) |
5400 x 3456 |
| 1.33 (4:3) |
5760 x 3456 |
| 1.66 (5:3) |
7200 x 3456 |
| 1.78 (16:9) |
7680 x 4320 |
| 1.85 |
7680 x 4151 |
| 1.90 |
7680 x 4042 |
| 2.00 |
7680 x 3840 |
| 2.35 |
7680 x 3268 |
| 2.37 |
7680 x 3240 |
| 2.39 |
7680 x 3213 |
| 2.40 |
7680 x 3200 |
| 2.44 |
7680 x 3148 |
5K
| Aspect Ratio |
Resolution |
| 0.80 (4:5) |
2304 x 2880 |
| 1.25 (5:4) |
3600 x 2880 |
| 1.33 (4:3) |
3840 x 2880 |
| 1.66 (5:3) |
4800 x 2880 |
| 1.78 (16:9) |
5120 x 2880 |
| 1.85 |
5120 x 2768 |
| 1.90 |
5120 x 2700 |
| 2.00 |
5120 x 2560 |
| 2.35 |
5120 x 2179 |
| 2.37 |
5120 x 2160 |
| 2.39 |
5120 x 2142 |
| 2.40 |
5120 x 2133 |
| 2.44 |
5120 x 2098 |
4K UHD
| Aspect Ratio |
Resolution |
| 0.80 (4:5) |
1728 x 2160 |
| 1.25 (5:4) |
2700 x 2160 |
| 1.33 (4:3) |
2880 x 2160 |
| 1.66 (5:3) |
3600 x 2160 |
| 1.78 (16:9) |
3840 x 2160 |
| 1.85 |
3840 x 2076 |
| 1.90 |
3840 x 2021 |
| 2.00 |
3840 x 1920 |
| 2.35 |
3840 x 1634 |
| 2.37 |
3840 x 1620 |
| 2.39 |
3840 x 1607 |
| 2.40 |
3840 x 1600 |
| 2.44 |
3840 x 1574 |
3K UHD
| Aspect Ratio |
Resolution |
| 0.80 (4:5) |
1296 x 1620 |
| 1.25 (5:4) |
2025 x 1620 |
| 1.33 (4:3) |
2160 x 1620 |
| 1.66 (5:3) |
2700 x 1620 |
| 1.78 (16:9) |
2880 x 1620 |
| 1.85 |
2880 x 1557 |
| 1.90 |
2880 x 1516 |
| 2.00 |
2880 x 1440 |
| 2.35 |
2880 x 1226 |
| 2.37 |
2880 x 1215 |
| 2.39 |
2880 x 1205 |
| 2.40 |
2880 x 1200 |
| 2.44 |
2880 x 1180 |
Ultra-Wide Monitor Aspect Ratios
Ultra-wide monitors offer an expansive viewing area that's particularly beneficial for gaming, multimedia entertainment, and professional tasks requiring multiple windows side by side. These are the common ultra-wide aspect ratios:
| Aspect Ratio |
Common Resolutions |
Description |
| 21:9 |
2560x1080, 3440x1440, 5120x2160 |
Provides a significantly wider field of view than 16:9, enhancing gaming and movie-watching experiences. |
| 32:9 |
3840x1080, 5120x1440 |
Equivalent to two 16:9 monitors side by side, this super ultra-wide ratio is excellent for multitasking and immersive gaming. |
These aspect ratios are designed to offer an immersive viewing experience and are ideal for users looking to enhance their productivity or entertainment setup.
Common Mobile Screen Aspect Ratios
With the diversity of mobile devices, these common aspect ratios are crucial for content tailored towards mobile viewers. Optimizing content for these ratios ensures better viewing experiences on smartphones.
| Aspect Ratio |
Common Resolutions |
Description |
| 16:9 |
1920x1080, 1280x720 |
Widely used for videos and gaming. |
| 18:9 (2:1) |
2160x1080, 1440x720 |
Common for newer smartphones. |
| 19.5:9 |
2532x1170 (iPhone 12), 2340x1080 |
Used in newer iPhones and Androids. |
| 19:9 |
2280x1080, 2340x1080 |
Popular among recent Android devices. |
| 20:9 |
2400x1080, 2660x1080 |
Increasingly common for premium models. |
| 21:9 |
2560x1080, 3440x1440 |
Ultra-wide, cinematic viewing experience on some high-end phones. |
| Platform |
Aspect Ratio |
Recommended Resolution |
Use Case |
| Instagram |
1:1 |
1080x1080 |
Posts (Square) |
|
4:5 |
1080x1350 |
Posts (Portrait) |
|
1.91:1 |
1080x566 |
Posts (Landscape) |
| Instagram Story |
9:16 |
1080x1920 |
Stories, Reels |
| Facebook |
1:1 |
1080x1080 |
Posts (Square) |
|
16:9 |
1280x720 |
Posts (Landscape), Videos |
| Twitter |
16:9 |
1200x675 |
Tweets, Videos |
|
2:1 |
1200x600 |
Tweets (Larger Image) |
| YouTube |
16:9 |
1920x1080 |
Videos, Live Streams |
| TikTok |
9:16 |
1080x1920 |
Videos |
| LinkedIn |
1.91:1 |
1200x627 |
Posts, Sponsored Content |
|
1:1 |
1200x1200 |
Posts (Square) |
| Pinterest |
2:3 |
1000x1500 |
Pins (Optimal for Mobile Viewing) |
This table includes the optimal aspect ratios and resolutions for creating content across various social media platforms, ensuring it looks great no matter where it's viewed.
