Aspect Ratio
What aspect ratio means for images and screenshots, common ratios, and mistakes to avoid.
Aspect ratio is the relationship between the width and the height of an image or screen, written as width:height. It describes shape, not size. A 1920×1080 image and a 1280×720 image both have a 16:9 ratio.
To find the ratio, divide both dimensions by their greatest common divisor. 1200×900 reduces to 4:3, and 1080×1920 reduces to 9:16. Some ratios are written as a decimal against 1, such as 1.91:1 for a 1200×630 image.
Scaling both sides by the same factor keeps the ratio. Stretching one side more than the other distorts the content, and cropping changes the ratio.
Common aspect ratios
| Ratio | Example size | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 16:9 | 1920×1080 | Video, slides, desktop screens |
| 9:16 | 1080×1920 | Vertical video, phone stories |
| 4:3 | 1200×900 | Older displays, tablets, slides |
| 3:2 | 1500×1000 | Photos, some laptops |
| 1:1 | 1000×1000 | Square posts, avatars |
| 1.91:1 | 1200×630 | Link preview images |
Where aspect ratio matters
Many destinations expect a specific shape. Video players, slide templates, social feeds and app store listings each define one or more ratios. When an image does not match, the destination letterboxes it, crops it automatically or stretches it.
Aspect ratio and screenshots
Capturing at the target ratio is easier than cropping later, because cropping removes content you may need. In Temposhot, the Custom Area picker has Lock aspect and presets for 16:9 (1600×900), 9:16 (900×1600), 4:3 (1200×900), 1:1 (1000×1000) and 3:2 (1500×1000), plus phone sizes such as Pixel 9 (360×808).
On a Retina display, a 1600×900 point area saves at 3200×1800 pixels. The ratio stays 16:9.
Common mistakes
- Resizing only the width or only the height, which squeezes text and icons.
- Cropping a phone screenshot to 16:9 and cutting off the status bar or navigation.
- Treating ratio and resolution as the same thing. 16:9 says nothing about sharpness.
- Mixing ratios within one slide deck or document, which makes pages jump.
Have an image to fix right now?
Use Aspect Ratio Calculator to find the missing dimension for a ratio, then Split Image or an editor to adjust the image.
Common questions
Is 1920×1080 the same as 16:9?
Yes. 1920 divided by 120 is 16, and 1080 divided by 120 is 9.
Why does my screenshot have an odd ratio like 1.6:1?
Many Mac displays use 16:10, which is 1.6:1. A full-screen capture keeps the display's ratio.
Sources
Related resources
- Capture sources: Custom Area presets and Lock aspect.
- Annotations and framing: framing levels in the Documents editor.
- Social Image Composer: place a screenshot on a canvas of a set size.
Taking the same screenshots again and again?
Temposhot captures a screen, window or area on a timer and exports the set as a PDF, images, ZIP or MP4. The free browser tools fix single images.
Related resources
Related terms
- Image CroppingWhat image cropping is, when to crop screenshots, and mistakes to avoid.
- Image ResizeWhat image resizing is, how it differs from cropping, and mistakes to avoid when scaling screenshots.
- Social Media Image SizeRecommended image dimensions for Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and Facebook — and how to resize for optimal display on each platform.
- Device MockupWhat a device mockup is, how to place screenshots in device frames, and where teams use them.
- Area ScreenshotWhat an area screenshot is, how to select a custom region, and when to use one instead of full-screen capture.
- Responsive ScreenshotWhat responsive screenshots are, the common viewport sizes used, and mistakes to avoid when capturing across devices.