The Comprehensive Guidebook to Understand the Video Aspect Ratios

The video aspect ratio is the ratio of width to height in pixels that indicates the direction of a video.

The figures in the ratio aren't always accurate representations of the height and breadth in pixels (px). It's simply the proportion of breadth to height.

A video with a 16:9 aspect ratio, for example, would not be 16 pixels wide and 9 pixels height. A video that small would be impossible to see. 1920 px by 1080 px is one resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Aspect ratio and resolution:

There are multiple equivalent resolutions for each aspect ratio. Aspect ratio and resolution are inextricably linked.

You would multiply the width by the height to get the resolution. The aspect ratio is calculated by dividing the width by the height.

The number of square pixels on the screen is calculated by multiplying the width by the height. In terms of video quality, the greater the number, the better.

There are instances when settling for a lower quality product is the best option. If you need lesser file sizes, a lower-quality video would be beneficial. In these cases, you'd capture your video at the best HD streaming quality possible and then use encoding software to create lower-resolution copies.

Aspect Ratios and Their Applications

When it comes to video aspect ratios, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The aspect ratio of a video is usually determined by where it will be posted, how it will be watched, and what purpose it will serve.

Movies or trailers displayed in theatres will differ from videos used for social media. Modern televisions have conventional aspect ratios, but broadcasters are free to utilise the aspect ratio that best suits their programming and audience.

Custom aspect ratios are rarely used because most videos are broadcast through regular online video services.

For live streaming and other video creation, here are a few popular aspect ratios to consider:

16:9

A 16:9 aspect ratio video is a wide rectangle. It's also known as "1.71:1," which is the simplest mathematical representation of the ratio.

Because the 16:9 aspect ratio is regarded as the international standard format for television, cinema, and major online streaming settings and platforms, you're likely to use it for most of your video creation and streaming today.

Because this aspect ratio is so popular, many people like to use it when live streaming on their own websites.

The default aspect ratio for most video capture systems, both professional and consumer-grade, is 16:9. It's also the most common video player size.

4:3

The 4:3 aspect ratio was usual for traditional television and computer monitors before 16:10 and 16:9. The introduction of HDTV was the catalyst for the change. The aspect ratios of 16:10 and 16:9 allow for higher resolutions than 4:3.

Apple iPads used this aspect ratio until the debut of the iPad Pro in 2018. Because the 4:3 aspect ratio is being phased out, it is no longer widely used.

3:2

Originally, the 3:2 aspect ratio was utilised for traditional 35 mm still photography. Some laptops, tablets, and handheld game consoles still use it.

The 3:2 aspect ratio is still available on many micro- to medium-sized cameras, but it is rarely used by broadcasters nowadays.

9:16

For tall videos, a 9:16 aspect ratio is employed. When smartphones with video capability were introduced, this aspect ratio became popular.

For instance, the ideal size for an Instagram storey is 1080 px by 1920 px, which is a 9:16 ratio. Other popular applications with "storey" elements, such as Facebook and Snapchat, are in the same boat.

21:9

The aspect ratio of 21:9 serves a specific purpose. It's also known as cinematic widescreen or ultra-widescreen.

It's a format that's used for anamorphic films. Videos in anamorphic format are used to create an optical illusion of a 360-degree view.

Videos with this aspect ratio are likely to be found in special theatres, museums, amusement parks, and other places. They're made to provide viewers with more immersive experiences.

What is the best video aspect ratio?

The most popular video aspect ratio is 16:9. This does not, however, make it the best aspect ratio.

Because it has the highest resolution, a 16:9 ratio is commonly regarded as ideal. This aspect ratio is very simple to capture on practically any device.

Consider the purpose of your video and where you'll be broadcasting it to determine which video aspect ratio is appropriate for it.

How the change the aspect ratio of video:

You can adjust the aspect ratio of your video in two ways: by adding black bars around it or by cropping it.

While changing the aspect ratio of your video after it has been shot is possible, it is not usually advisable. This is due to the fact that both strategies have drawbacks.

If you wish to crop your video, you'll need a video editing programme with cropping features.

Cropping can remove key individuals or items out of the picture, whether your purpose is to make the movie taller or wider. It's possible that you'll be compelled to pick and select whatever sections of the frame are most significant and discard the rest.

Using black bars instead of cropping your video is an excellent option because it maintains the entire movie. What's the drawback? The black bars aren't always the most attractive.

Your content may be automatically altered depending on where you're broadcasting the video. YouTube videos, for example, have a 16:9 aspect ratio because the platform inserts white padding around all videos to make them fit. Other social media networks, on the other hand, will crop your movies to fit the space.

Aspect Ratios in Live Streaming Video

Because your audience receives the information as it is made, live broadcasts are challenging in the sense that you must think out the logistics before filming.

The video aspect ratio you select for your broadcast must adhere to the video streaming protocol, which requires two things: universal playback and modest file sizes.

You may eliminate both with the 16:9 aspect ratio. There is a wide selection of resolutions to pick from, so you can find the best resolution for your needs in terms of quality and file size.

Incorporate Aspect Ratios into Your Video Production

When creating video material to transmit to your audience, aspect ratios—the ratio between the width and length of your video—are absolutely something to think about.

While video aspect ratio compatibility with your video hosting platform or streaming service is critical, you must also consider the user experience.

Consider which devices will be used by the majority of your audience to watch your videos and make your decision appropriately.

Whether you choose a conventional 16:9 aspect ratio for material that will be streamed on a laptop or a 9:16 ratio for content that will be streamed on a phone, make sure it appears properly and without sloppy cropping so that your ad stands out.