What is Aspect Ratio & Resolution?
Are you finding it hard to understand all the video formats like the aspect ratio & resolution? What height and width is needed of your video or the amount of pixels required for a great looking image? It’s not surprising there seem to be so many.
You are probably asking what the most common aspect ratio is for videos used on the internet?
These are the most common ratios used and of course we can help you deliver the best for you video production.
Wide screen 16:9
Vertical 9:16
Square 1:1
To help you make a decision on what to use, here’s a full list of some of the standard aspect ratios used in video production:
Widescreen ratio: 16:9
Widescreen 16:9 is the aspect ratio for platforms like YouTube, HDTV and many streaming services. (Sometimes referred to as 1.78:1). Widescreen video is see everywhere on the internet. Most cameras and even smart phones can record in this format by default
What is the aspect ratio of widescreen video?
16:9 is the aspect ratio for standard widescreen video, and it’s the aspect ratio that smartphones and tablets record in, as well as many video cameras.
Vertical format 9:16
Vertical 9:16 is the same ratio as widescreen (16:9) but rotated 90 deg to vertical position. Most people record videos their smart phones in this way. This is the ideal aspect ratio to use for YouTube Shorts, Instagram reels and TikTok.
Square 1:1
Square 1:1 is the aspect ratio for square video. This is the ideal aspect for Instagram, Facebook and other social media video posts.
Fullscreen 4:3
Fullscreen 4:3 was the aspect ratio for the old standard for television before High definition was introduced. Old video cameras recorded in this 4:3 ratio. still used occasionally.
Cinematic 21:9
Cinematic widescreen 21:9 is the aspect ratio for ultra-widescreen or cinematic widescreen, (Often referred to as as 2.33:1) In filmmaking, it might also be referred to as Panavision, CinemaScope (2.35:1), or Anamorphic (2.39:1). This format is often used in filmmaking to create a greater cinematic feel.
What does Anamorphic mean?
Anamorphic cinematography is a technique that uses a non-widescreen native aspect ratio to shoot a widescreen image on a standard recording medium, such as 35 mm film. This technique is often used to create a widescreen image with a wide field of view, and is commonly associated with premium dramatic films.
When displayed on a 16:9 screen, you will see black bars (letter boxes) on the top and bottom to accommodate for the wider field of view.
What is video resolution?
Video resolution is a measurement of the number of pixels in a video frame, and it determines how clear and realistic the video appears. A higher resolution means a more precise and solid video with more detail and sharpness. Usually expressed as width x height, such as 1920 x 1080, or simply 1080p.
Full High Definition (FHD) is 1080p resolution at 1920 x 1080 pixels, in a 16:9 aspect ratio. By default, smartphones, most modern video cameras record video in 1920 x 1080 resolution.
Ultra High Definition (UHD), 2160p resolution, or 3840 x 2160 pixels is a 16:9 aspect ratio. UHD resolution fits perfectly into a modern widescreen television. 4096 x 2160 also know as 4K UHD. 4K is also known as “DCI 4K,” is a format commonly used in high-end movie production. Its resolution is 4096 x 2160 and its aspect ratio is 1.90∶1, which is slightly wider than UHD or 16×9.
What is the best aspect ratios for social media videos?
Well the best aspect ratios for video content on social media platforms ultimately depend on the platform recommendations. Use the recommended aspect ratio to ensure that your video displays correctly in their video player.
YouTube
For YouTube videos, use 16:9 and for YouTube shorts, use 9:16.
For LinkedIn videos, use 16:9. For LinkedIn stories, use 9:16.
For Facebook videos, use 1:1 and 16:9 in your posts. Use 9:16 for Facebook stories.
For Instagram videos, use either a 1:1, 4:5, 9:16, or 16:9. For an Instagram story or reels, use 9:16 for portrait-style videos.
TikTok
For TikTok videos, use 9:16 for both portrait and landscape videos. What aspect ratio is TikTok? 9:16 is the aspect ratio for TikTok videos in the vertical portrait format.
Twitter (X)
For Twitter videos, use 16:9.
While these are the recommended formats for each platform, why not experiment with different aspect ratios to see which ones look the best for your project or content. Additionally, some platforms like YouTube support multiple formats, so you may have more flexibility in terms of the aspect ratio you choose from.
Ready to start your own video?
Hopefully, by now you realise and understand that there are many video formats and resolutions that can be used in your video production. And there is no one-size-fits-all approach to this. There are many variations that can be used to help suit your audience.
But that doesn’t mean it’s super easy to decide…
So you might want a helping hand, and that’s where we come in.
If you want our help creating videos, we’re launching a new short-form video service that might just be perfect for you.
For more information click here to Chat with us
Reference information
More display resolution information
Display resolution standards
