What is 4:3 aspect ratio?

4:3 is a classic aspect ratio where for every 4 units of width, there are 3 units of height. It was the original standard for film and television throughout most of the 20th century. This format provides a more square-shaped viewing area compared to modern widescreen formats and remains popular for presentations, traditional photography, and specialized applications.

What resolution is 4:3?

Common 4:3 resolutions include 1024×768 (XGA), 800×600 (SVGA), 640×480 (VGA), 1280×960 (SXGA), 1600×1200 (UXGA), and 2048×1536 (QXGA). The 4:3 ratio can be applied to any resolution as long as the width-to-height proportion maintains the 4:3 relationship.

How do I calculate 4:3 dimensions?

To find height from width: multiply width by 3 and divide by 4 (height = width × 3 ÷ 4). To find width from height: multiply height by 4 and divide by 3 (width = height × 4 ÷ 3). Our calculator above performs these calculations instantly for you.

Is 4:3 still used today?

Yes, 4:3 is still used for presentations (especially PowerPoint), traditional photography, older media preservation, specialized professional displays, and digital content where more vertical space is beneficial. While 16:9 has become the standard for video and modern displays, 4:3 remains relevant in many professional and creative applications.

Why was 4:3 the original standard?

4:3 was established by Thomas Edison and W.K.L. Dickson in early motion picture technology and became the standard because it worked well with the technical constraints of early film cameras and cathode ray tube (CRT) displays. It was close to the proportions of traditional photo prints and provided a practical balance between horizontal and vertical viewing space.

What is the difference between 4:3 and 16:9?

4:3 is more square-shaped (classic TV format) while 16:9 is wider and more rectangular (modern widescreen). 4:3 provides more vertical viewing area, making it better for documents, portraits, and presentations. 16:9 offers 33% more horizontal space, making it ideal for movies and immersive video content. 4:3 was the standard until the early 2000s when widescreen formats became dominant.

4:3 Calculator

Quickly convert between width and height while maintaining 4:3 ratio

4:3

Classic standard ratio

Presentations

Traditional Photos

SD Video

Legacy Displays

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4:3 CALCULATOR

4:3 Aspect Ratio Calculator

This calculator is specially designed for the classic 4:3 aspect ratio, widely used in traditional photography, presentations, and older display formats. Enter either width or height to calculate the corresponding dimension while maintaining the perfect 4:3 proportion.

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4:3

Calculate Height from Width

Width

Height

Using the standard 4:3 ratio, the exact calculated height is 768 pixels

Common 4:3 Resolutions

Quick access to standard 4:3 resolutions used in presentations, photography, and legacy displays.

About 4:3 Ratio

Understanding the classic aspect ratio.

The 4:3 aspect ratio has been a fundamental standard in visual media for decades. Discover the history and applications of this versatile format and how it continues to be relevant today.

Historical Significance The 4:3 ratio (also known as 1.33:1) was the original standard for film and television. It was established in the early days of cinema and remained the dominant format for visual media throughout most of the 20th century.

Practical Applications Despite the shift to widescreen formats, 4:3 remains relevant for presentation slides, traditional photography, older media conversion, and specialized digital content where a more square-like aspect ratio is preferred.

Design Considerations The 4:3 ratio offers more vertical space than widescreen formats, making it excellent for displaying content that requires height rather than width, such as documents, portraits, and data-heavy presentations.

Digital Transition While modern displays have largely moved to wider formats, many digital platforms support 4:3 content with proper letterboxing. Understanding how to work with this ratio remains important for content creators and designers.

Popular 4:3 Resolutions

Resolution Name	Width × Height	Common Usage
VGA	640 × 480	Legacy displays, older content
SVGA	800 × 600	Older presentations, web content
XGA	1024 × 768	Standard presentation slides, older monitors
SXGA	1280 × 960	Professional displays, high-quality presentations
QXGA	2048 × 1536	High-resolution medical imaging, specialized displays
UXGA	1600 × 1200	High-resolution graphics, professional applications

What is the 4:3 Aspect Ratio?

The 4:3 aspect ratio (pronounced "four to three" or "four by three") defines the proportional relationship between an image's width and height. In this classic format, for every 4 units of width, there are 3 units of height.

This ratio has played a significant role in visual media history and continues to be used in various applications:

Standard-definition television (SDTV)
Traditional photography and prints
PowerPoint and other presentation software
Classic computer monitors
Early digital cameras
Film formats like Super 35mm

The Historical Importance of 4:3

The 4:3 aspect ratio wasn't chosen arbitrarily—it has deep historical roots:

Film heritage: Thomas Edison and W.K.L. Dickson established 4:3 as a standard when developing early motion picture technology
Television adoption: When television emerged, it adopted the 4:3 ratio from film, making it the universal standard for screens for most of the 20th century
Technical considerations: The ratio worked well with the constraints of early cathode ray tube (CRT) technology
Print compatibility: The ratio is close to many traditional photo print sizes, making it practical for cross-medium use

Converting Between Dimensions While Maintaining 4:3

When working with 4:3 content, it's essential to maintain the correct proportions. Here's how to calculate the corresponding dimension:

To find height: width × 3 ÷ 4
To find width: height × 4 ÷ 3

Our calculator above automates these calculations, ensuring your content maintains perfect 4:3 proportions regardless of which dimension you start with.

4:3 vs. Widescreen Formats

While 16:9 and other widescreen formats like 21:9 have become dominant in modern displays, 4:3 continues to offer distinct advantages in certain situations:

Vertical content: Better suited for documents, portraits, and content that benefits from more height (though 9:16 vertical format is now preferred for mobile)
Professional presentations: Excellent for data-rich slides and business applications
Classic media preservation: Maintains the original framing of vintage content
Print compatibility: Closer to traditional photo printing dimensions
Specialized displays: Used in certain medical, industrial, and professional applications

Working with 4:3 in a Widescreen World

Even as 16:9 and wider formats dominate modern screens, content creators still need to understand how to work effectively with 4:3 content:

Letterboxing: Adding horizontal black bars when displaying 4:3 content on widescreen displays
Pillarboxing: Adding vertical black bars when displaying widescreen content on 4:3 displays
Pan and scan: Techniques for adapting content between different aspect ratios
Format-aware design: Creating layouts that work well in both 4:3 and widescreen formats

Our 4:3 aspect ratio calculator helps you maintain perfect proportions as you adapt content for various applications while respecting this classic format's characteristics.