What is 3:2 aspect ratio?

3:2 is an aspect ratio where for every 3 units of width, there are 2 units of height. It's the standard format for most DSLR and mirrorless cameras, 35mm film, and the popular 4×6 inch photo print size. This ratio originated from 35mm film photography and has remained the industry standard for professional photography.

What cameras use 3:2 aspect ratio?

Most full-frame and APS-C DSLR and mirrorless cameras use 3:2 aspect ratio, including Canon (5D, R5, R6 series), Nikon (D850, Z6, Z7 series), Sony (A7, A9 series), and many others. This native sensor aspect ratio ensures maximum image quality without cropping.

What print sizes are 3:2 ratio?

Common print sizes in 3:2 ratio include 4×6 inches (10×15 cm), 6×9 inches, 8×12 inches, 10×15 inches, 12×18 inches, 16×24 inches, and 20×30 inches. The popular 4×6 print is the most widely used photo print size worldwide and matches the 3:2 camera output perfectly.

How do I calculate 3:2 dimensions?

To find height from width: divide width by 3 and multiply by 2 (height = width × 2 ÷ 3). To find width from height: divide height by 2 and multiply by 3 (width = height × 3 ÷ 2). Our calculator above automates this process for you instantly.

What is the difference between 3:2 and 4:3?

3:2 (1.5:1) is slightly wider than 4:3 (1.33:1). 3:2 is the standard for DSLR cameras and 35mm film, while 4:3 is used by Micro Four Thirds cameras and older digital cameras. 3:2 provides more horizontal space, which many photographers prefer for landscape and portrait work.

Why do photographers prefer 3:2 aspect ratio?

Photographers prefer 3:2 because it matches their camera's native sensor ratio, maximizes image quality without cropping, aligns with standard print sizes like 4×6 inches, and provides a natural, balanced composition for various photography styles. Its historical connection to 35mm film also makes it familiar and traditional.

3:2 Calculator

Quickly convert between width and height while maintaining 3:2 ratio

3:2

Standard photography aspect ratio

DSLR Cameras

Photo Prints

Professional Photography

35mm Film

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3:2 CALCULATOR

3:2 Aspect Ratio Calculator

This specialized calculator is designed for the 3:2 aspect ratio, the standard format for digital photography and photo printing. Enter either width or height to get the corresponding dimension while maintaining the perfect 3:2 proportion.

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3:2

Calculate Height from Width

Width

Height

Using the standard 3:2 ratio, the exact calculated height is 4000 pixels

Common 3:2 Resolutions

Quick access to standard 3:2 resolutions used in photography, photo printing, and image editing.

About 3:2 Ratio

Understanding the photography industry standard.

The 3:2 aspect ratio is the traditional standard for photography, originating from 35mm film and carried forward to modern DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Learn why this format remains the preferred choice for professional photographers worldwide.

Origin & History The 3:2 aspect ratio originated with 35mm film photography in the early 20th century. This format was standardized by Leica and became the industry norm. Today, it remains the native aspect ratio for most full-frame and APS-C DSLR and mirrorless cameras from Canon, Nikon, Sony, and other major manufacturers.

Why 3:2? The 3:2 ratio provides a balanced composition that works well for both landscape and portrait photography. It offers slightly more width than 4:3 while remaining versatile enough for various photographic styles and printing needs.

Common Uses Today, 3:2 is the standard for DSLR and mirrorless cameras, 4×6 inch photo prints, professional photography, photo books, and image editing. It's the default output format for most professional camera equipment.

Technical Benefits The 3:2 ratio matches the sensor dimensions of most professional cameras, ensuring no cropping is needed when capturing images. This maximizes sensor usage and image quality while providing natural composition proportions.

Popular 3:2 Resolutions

Resolution Name	Width × Height	Common Usage
4×6 Print (300 DPI)	1800 × 1200	Most popular photo print size
6×9 Print (300 DPI)	2700 × 1800	Medium-sized photo prints
Full Frame 24MP	6000 × 4000	Canon 5D Mark IV, Nikon D750, Sony A7 III
Full Frame 45MP	8256 × 5504	Nikon Z7, Sony A7R III, Canon EOS R5
Full Frame 50MP	8688 × 5792	Canon 5DS R, Sony A7R IV
APS-C 24MP	6000 × 4000	Canon 90D, Nikon D7500, Sony A6400

What is the 3:2 Aspect Ratio?

The 3:2 aspect ratio (pronounced "three to two" or "three by two") represents the proportional relationship between an image's width and height. In a 3:2 ratio, for every 3 units of width, there are 2 units of height. This translates to a 1.5:1 ratio, making it slightly wider than square formats but not as wide as modern widescreen formats.

This classic photographic format is the standard for:

Full-frame DSLR and mirrorless cameras (Canon, Nikon, Sony)
APS-C sensor cameras
35mm film photography
4×6 inch photo prints (the most popular print size)
Professional photography and photo books
Image editing and post-processing workflows

History of 3:2 Aspect Ratio in Photography

The 3:2 ratio has deep roots in photographic history:

35mm film legacy: Standardized by Leica in the 1920s, 35mm film established the 3:2 format as the photographic standard
Professional adoption: Professional photographers worldwide adopted this format, making it the industry norm
Digital continuity: When digital cameras emerged, manufacturers maintained the 3:2 ratio to preserve compatibility with existing workflows and print sizes
Modern standard: Today, virtually all full-frame and APS-C cameras use 3:2 as their native sensor aspect ratio

3:2 vs Other Photography Ratios

Understanding how 3:2 compares to other common aspect ratios:

3:2 vs 4:3: 3:2 is wider (1.5:1 vs 1.33:1). While 4:3 is used by Micro Four Thirds cameras, 3:2 is preferred by most professional DSLR systems
3:2 vs 16:9: 16:9 is significantly wider (1.78:1) and designed for video and displays, not photography
3:2 vs 1:1: Square (1:1) format is popular on Instagram but crops significant portions of 3:2 images

Common 3:2 Photo Print Sizes

One of the major advantages of shooting in 3:2 is direct compatibility with standard print sizes:

4×6 inches (10×15 cm): The most popular print size worldwide, perfectly matches 3:2 ratio
6×9 inches: Larger prints while maintaining the same proportions
8×12 inches: Medium-sized prints for framing
12×18 inches: Large display prints
16×24 inches and 20×30 inches: Professional and gallery-quality prints

These print sizes align perfectly with the 3:2 camera output, meaning no cropping is required when printing your photos.

Working with 3:2 Aspect Ratio

When working with 3:2 content, you'll often need to resize while maintaining the aspect ratio. Here's a simple formula:

To find height: width ÷ 3 × 2
To find width: height ÷ 2 × 3

Our calculator above automates this process, ensuring your content always maintains perfect proportions regardless of what dimension you start with.

Converting 3:2 to Other Ratios

While 3:2 is ideal for photography, you may need to adapt your images for other platforms:

Social media: Instagram favors 1:1 (square) or 4:5 formats, requiring cropping from 3:2
Video platforms: 16:9 for YouTube or 9:16 for vertical video requires significant cropping or letterboxing
Presentations: 16:9 slideshows may require letterboxing or creative cropping of 3:2 images
Web display: Various aspect ratios depending on layout and design requirements

Our 3:2 aspect ratio calculator helps you maintain perfect proportions when resizing for photography workflows, printing, and digital distribution. For other photography needs, explore our complete range of aspect ratio calculators.