Aspect ratio: Introduction to Aspect Ratios

Introduction to Aspect Ratios Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between an image's width and height, typically expressed as two numbers separated by a colon (e.g., 16:9) or as a decimal (e.g., 1.78:1). Understanding aspect ratios is crucial for creating, editing, and displaying visual content across different media and platforms. The aspect ratio of an image is the ratio of its width to its height . It is expressed as two numbers separated by a colon, in the format width:height. Common aspect ratios are 1.85:1 and 2.39:1 in cinematography, 4:3 and 16:9 in television, and 3:2 in still photography. If you’ve wondered what is aspect ratio and why it matters for images, video, and web design, this guide explains the concept in plain English, shows the exact formula, includes step-by-step examples, a handy chart, CSS tips, and a free on-page calculator. A simple, visual guide to understanding aspect ratio . Learn about 16:9, 4:3, and other formats to master visual composition in photos and video.