How do I compare two aspect ratios?

Select or enter two aspect ratios using the controls above. Choose from popular presets like 16:9, 21:9, 4:3, or enter custom width and height values. The tool will instantly display a visual comparison with detailed metrics.

What is the difference between the three viewing modes?

Side by Side mode shows both ratios at the same scale next to each other. Overlay mode stacks them on top of each other to highlight shape differences. Normalized mode aligns both ratios by either height or width so you can directly compare the other dimension.

Which aspect ratio is wider - 16:9 or 21:9?

21:9 is significantly wider than 16:9. When normalized to the same height, 21:9 is approximately 31% wider than 16:9. This makes 21:9 ideal for ultrawide monitors, cinematic gaming, and productivity with multiple windows.

Can I compare custom aspect ratios?

Yes! Switch to "Custom Ratio" mode and enter any width and height values. The tool will automatically simplify the ratio and calculate all comparison metrics. This is useful for specialized formats or non-standard screen sizes.

What does the percentage difference mean?

The percentage difference shows how much wider one ratio is compared to the other when both are normalized to the same height. For example, if the percentage difference is 33%, it means the wider ratio has 33% more horizontal space than the narrower one.

How does overlay mode work?

Overlay mode stacks the two aspect ratios on top of each other, centered. The wider ratio appears as the outer rectangle, and the narrower ratio appears inside it. This visualization makes it easy to see exactly how much extra width or height one format provides.

What are the most common aspect ratio comparisons?

Popular comparisons include 16:9 vs 21:9 (standard vs ultrawide), 4:3 vs 16:9 (classic TV vs modern widescreen), 1:1 vs 4:5 (Instagram square vs portrait), and 9:16 vs 16:9 (vertical mobile vs horizontal desktop).

Is 4:3 the same as 3:2?

No, 4:3 and 3:2 are different aspect ratios. 4:3 (1.333:1) is slightly more square and was the standard for older TVs and computer monitors. 3:2 (1.5:1) is slightly wider and is commonly used in DSLR cameras and photography. The comparison tool can show you the exact difference.

Aspect Ratio Comparison Tool

Compare two aspect ratios side-by-side and visualize the differences with multiple viewing modes

Visual Ratio Comparison

Side by Side

Overlay

Normalized

Custom Ratio

Start Comparing

RATIO COMPARISON

Compare Aspect Ratios

Select two aspect ratios to compare their proportions. Choose from popular formats or enter custom ratios for detailed visual comparison.

View Mode

Normalize by:

Content Preview:

Ratio A

Select Ratio

Width Height

Current Ratio:

: (:1)

Ratio B

Select Ratio

Width Height

Current Ratio:

: (:1)

Visual Comparison

Comparison Results

Percentage Difference

Decimal Ratios

Wider Ratio

Understanding Aspect Ratio Comparison

Everything you need to know about comparing aspect ratios

Comparing aspect ratios helps you understand the proportional differences between formats and choose the right ratio for your content, whether for video production, web design, or print media.

Why Compare Aspect Ratios? Understanding the differences between aspect ratios helps you choose the right format for your content, whether for video production, web design, or print media.

Three Viewing Modes Side-by-side comparison shows both ratios at equal scale. Overlay mode stacks them for direct shape comparison. Normalized mode aligns by height or width.

Popular Comparisons Common comparisons include 16:9 vs 21:9 for ultrawide displays, 4:3 vs 16:9 for legacy content, and 1:1 vs 4:5 for social media posts.

Custom Ratios Not limited to presets - enter any custom width and height to compare non-standard aspect ratios for specialized applications.

Understanding Aspect Ratio Comparison

Aspect ratios define the proportional relationship between width and height of images, videos, and screens. Comparing aspect ratios helps you understand how different formats will display your content and which ratio best suits your needs.

How to Use the Comparison Tool

Select two aspect ratios from popular presets like 16:9, 21:9, 4:3, or create custom ratios by entering width and height values. The tool provides three visualization modes:

Side by Side: View both ratios at the same scale for direct size comparison
Overlay: Stack ratios on top of each other to see shape differences clearly
Normalized: Align both ratios by height or width to compare the other dimension

Common Aspect Ratio Comparisons

16:9 vs 21:9

The 16:9 ratio is standard for HD video and most displays. The 21:9 ultrawide format provides 33% more horizontal space, perfect for cinematic content, gaming, and productivity with multiple windows.

4:3 vs 16:9

4:3 was the television standard for decades. Modern 16:9 widescreen offers 33% wider viewing area, better matching human peripheral vision and cinematic content.

1:1 vs 4:5

Both ratios are popular on Instagram. Square 1:1 works for profile images and balanced compositions. The 4:5 portrait ratio provides 25% more vertical space, ideal for full-body photos and mobile-optimized content.

Choosing the Right Aspect Ratio

Consider these factors when selecting an aspect ratio:

Platform Requirements: YouTube prefers 16:9, Instagram Stories use 9:16, TikTok uses 9:16
Content Type: Landscapes suit wide ratios (21:9, 16:9), portraits work with tall ratios (9:16, 4:5)
Display Medium: Monitors are typically 16:9 or 21:9, TVs are 16:9, phones are often 9:16 in portrait
Artistic Intent: Cinematic films use 2.35:1 or 2.39:1 for dramatic widescreen effect

Understanding the Metrics

The comparison tool provides several metrics to help you understand the differences:

Decimal Ratio: The aspect ratio expressed as a single number (e.g., 1.778 for 16:9). Higher numbers are wider.
Percentage Difference: Shows how much wider one ratio is compared to the other when normalized to the same height.
Visual Representation: Colored rectangles show the exact proportional difference at a glance.

Applications Across Industries

Video Production: Compare cinema formats (2.35:1) with streaming formats (16:9) to plan crops and composition.

Photography: Understand how DSLR images (3:2) compare to print formats (4:5, 5:7) for cropping decisions.

Web Design: Plan responsive layouts by comparing desktop (16:9) and mobile (9:16) aspect ratios.

Social Media Marketing: Optimize content by comparing Instagram feed (4:5), Stories (9:16), and IGTV (16:9) formats.

Aspect Ratio Comparison Tool

Compare Aspect Ratios

View Mode

Ratio A

Ratio B

Visual Comparison

Comparison Results

Understanding Aspect Ratio Comparison

Understanding Aspect Ratio Comparison

How to Use the Comparison Tool

Common Aspect Ratio Comparisons

16:9 vs 21:9

4:3 vs 16:9

1:1 vs 4:5

Choosing the Right Aspect Ratio

Understanding the Metrics

Applications Across Industries

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I compare two aspect ratios?

What is the difference between the three viewing modes?

Which aspect ratio is wider - 16:9 or 21:9?

Can I compare custom aspect ratios?

What does the percentage difference mean?

How does overlay mode work?

What are the most common aspect ratio comparisons?

Is 4:3 the same as 3:2?

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