Question 1

What aspect ratio should I use for YouTube?

Accepted Answer

YouTube's standard aspect ratio is 16:9. This includes resolutions like 1920x1080 (1080p), 2560x1440 (1440p), and 3840x2160 (4K). YouTube will add black bars (letterbox or pillarbox) to videos that do not match 16:9.

Question 2

How do I maintain aspect ratio when resizing?

Accepted Answer

To maintain proportions, you must scale both width and height by the same factor. This calculator does that automatically: enter one new dimension and it calculates the other to preserve the original ratio.

Question 3

What is the difference between 16:9 and 16:10?

Accepted Answer

16:9 is the standard for TVs and most monitors. 16:10 is slightly taller and was common in older computer monitors. 16:10 is preferred by some for productivity because it gives more vertical screen space.

Question 4

What aspect ratio do phones use?

Accepted Answer

Modern smartphones typically use ratios between 18:9 and 21:9. Older phones used 16:9. When shooting vertical video or photos, the ratio is inverted (e.g., 9:16, 9:19.5).

Aspect Ratio Calculator

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