What is the image aspect ratio?
The aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between an image’s width and height. Different cameras shoot in different aspect ratios, so whether you’re using a digital camera, a 35mm film camera, or an iPhone, they can all vary. Understanding the image size and ratio is important because it affects how you compose your shot and what the print size will be.
Note that the aspect ratio of an image refers to its dimensional ratio but not the actual resolution or total pixels the image contains. A square 1:1 shot could be 500 x 500 pixels or it could be 2500 x 2500 pixels.
What are the most common aspect ratios?
1:1 Square format is the ratio for some medium format cameras. It’s also compatible with most social media sites, including Instagram and Facebook.
3:2 Full-frame DSLRs and APS-C crop sensor cameras have 3:2 sensors.
4:3 Smartphones and Micro Four Thirds cameras shoot in a 4:3 aspect ratio.
16:9 Used for high-definition video, the widescreen format is the standard for HDTV.
What is the right aspect ratio for Instagram, Facebook, or print sizes?
Different applications call for different aspect ratios. This table breaks down aspect ratios with some of their most commonly used sizes. When you resize your image with Adobe Express, you can resize your image using preset aspect ratios for almost any destination.
