![Expert Tips on Selecting the Ideal Video Aspect Ratio](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/4wEXPn7f12N-XmT5ya_zR-WdeSI=/540x405/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/PS5-Slim-ff00c195f61a42309972eefc60cb0fb0.jpg)
Expert Tips on Selecting the Ideal Video Aspect Ratio
![](/images/site-logo.png)
Expert Tips on Selecting the Ideal Video Aspect Ratio
Video aspect ratios are changing depending on which platform you are using. Knowing the characteristics about aspect ratios is crucial to accomplish the ideal visual appeal across any platform.
If you want to learn more about video aspect ratios, how to apply them to different social media platforms, then you are in the right place! This article will explain what a video aspect ratio is, it includes common video aspect ratios you see nowadays, and includes recommended aspect ratios for video on various social media platforms.
With that said, let’s dive right into it!
1. What is a video aspect ratio?
Aspect ratio is a digital image projection attribute describing the distance between the width and the height of an image. The dimensions are also defined as shapes such as a square which is 4:3. A rectangle represents the 16:9 standard high definition aspect ratio, and inverted what you see on phones, that will be 9:16. 9 refers to the width and 16 to the height.
2. Commonly used aspect ratios
There is no same aspect ratio that is used across all social media platforms. Depending on which social media platform you are planning to upload, you have to make sure you have the correct aspect ratio for your target audience. The optimal viewing experience is what matters.
16:9 Widescreen
This aspect ratio is recognized as the worldwide reference format for film, mobile devides, DSLR cameras, streaming platforms, social media platforms, and many more. It is known as landscape viewing which include 720p, 1080p HD and 4K resolution.
4:3 Standard
This resolution is originally used in older television screens, which transformed into mobile use as this aspect ratio works really well for Instagram and Facebook videos, referring to the 9:16 phone resolution making a square video more pleasant to watch and to be featured in in-feed videos.
9:16 Vertical
The 9:16 aspect ratio has become the mainstream resolution for smartphones for easier viewing of videos. This resolution allows for the vertical display of videos on tablets and phones, meaning that it allows videos to play while the device is being held in its upright position. This works ideally for Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube Shorts, and more.
21:9 Cinematic Widescreen
The 21:9 resolution is designed for filming ultra-wide screen movies that gives the viewer a theater-like feeling. It’s mostly used to display films and movies in anamorphic formats. Just like on ultra-wide monitors, it allows the video to be shown across the entire screen, giving you a cinema-like experience. This resolution contributes to a broader viewing experience in any shape or form.
3. Which aspect ratio should I choose?
Depending on your project, broadcast location and filming options, here you can find an overview of which platforms are using which resolutions and how you can use that to improve your filming and viewer experience.
Facebook is one of the most used website across the world on both computer and the mobile app. This is a great platform to let people discover your content. In order to please new viewers, let’s look at the resolutions Facebook supports and which one would be your best option depending on your content.
4:3 or 1:1 for Facebook feed videos
16:9 for in-stream ads on Facebook
9:16 for Facebook live videos
9:16 for Facebook stories
YouTube
To this day, it’s safe to say that YouTube is the leading platform in the video industry. Not only because of how long they have been around, but also about how much content is uploaded every minute and how many users it has each month. To give the viewers the best experience, here are the top aspect ratios we recommend when posting content onto your YouTube channel.
16:9 for YouTube live streams
9:16 for YouTube Shorts
16:9 for regular HD videos
21:9 for cinematic videos/shortfilms
When talking about Instagram, which is very similar to Facebook, use these aspect ratios to ensure that your quality will be the best of the best.
9:16 for Instagram Reels
4:3 for Instagram feed advertisements
9:16 for Instagram Story advertisements
9:16 for Instagram Stories
4:3 or 1:1 for Instagram feed videos
9:16 for Instagram Live streams
9:16 for IGTV
TikTok
Before Musical.ly users were migrated to a new platform called TikTok in 2018, it has been the leader on the board for a long time, and here are the recommended resolutions we think give the best results. Tik Tok allows you to share short videos, and is used by young people as an outlet to show their talents whether it’s dancing, singing, cooking, comedy or any other form of entertainment they can express and use on the platform. There’s also a feature to work together and collaborate with other Tik Tok creators across the globe.
16:9 for organic Tik Tok feed videos
16:9 for Tik Tok live videos
1:1; 16:9 or 9:16 for TikTok advertisements
4. How to adjust the aspect ratio of a video?
A very important point we’d like to mention is that we don’t recommend changing the aspect ratio after filming, because it could harm the video quality and we think it’s best to choose the aspect ratio on your phone or camera before filming, besides that we have some great tips for optimizing your video for the watching experience below.
Black bars
When editing your video, adding black bars is not changing the aspect ratio as you are just adding black bars to the screen. What we do recommend is cropping the video until you get the desired result. Adding black bars won’t automatically make the platform adjust the video and it will affect the viewer experience.
Cropping
Cropping your video will allow you to remove a section from your video, which works perfect for unwanted objects or people. While cropping the video, you are forced to pick the essential part of your video and disregard the rest of the video and to remove distraction from the frame.
Conclusion
Having your video tested on multiple devices will allow you to see a preview of what the viewer will see and make necessary changes if needed. When your video looks perfect, you can be sure that it will give a seamless experience across all platforms, without the fear of losing video quality.
Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)
Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later
Also read:
- Highest-Ranked Live Streamers with Local Channel Access, 2024
- Time-Reversal Tactics for iPhone Movies
- 2024 Approved Bend, Twist & Shape Your Digital Pics
- Seeking Visual Vintage Free Art Archives Online
- Equipment for Making a Travel Video
- Flavorful Filmmaking Top 7 Strategies for Culinary Videos
- Isolating Visual Snapshots From Videos Using the Windows 10 Photos Tool
- Camera Selection For Young Shooters - Top Picks '24
- 2024 Approved Advanced Tools for Broadcasting Professionals
- [Updated] ASMR A Sound Path to Wellness?
- In 2024, Android Gamers Rejoice! Here's KineMaster Unleashed
- How to Pick a Perfect Virtual Reality Device Evaluating Portability (Mobile) Versus Connected Experience
- In 2024, Comparing Apples with Oranges? Not When It Comes to M1 Pro & M1 Max
- Unveiling Techniques for 3D Text Transformation in PS
- 2024 Approved Avoid Blur and Clarity Issues Zooming Techniques with Videoleap
- [New] Construct Share-Worthy Graphics on Giphy
- [Updated] Aerial Mastery with Husqvarna H501X4 FPV Analysis
- Elite Action Cam Collection Minimal Shake Technology
- In 2024, Clarifying Gap Between Full View & Immersive Videos
- Unlocking Secure Periscope Streaming Techniques & Strategies
- 2024 Approved Advanced Equipment Guide Top 5 Innovative Slow Motion Devices
- [Updated] Brand Storytelling Through Imagery A Podcast Designer's Guide
- Precision in Broadcasting ZOOM & FB Live Strategies
- In 2024, The Influencer's Blueprint Five Steps to Proven Marketing Success
- In 2024, GoPro Quik for MacBook The Ultimate Video Editing Companion
- [Updated] How to Eliminate Live Sharing on Devices for 2024
- [New] Aural Clean-Up Purifying Recordings on Audacity
- In 2024, Life360 Circle Everything You Need to Know On Samsung Galaxy A15 5G | Dr.fone
- Updated 2024 Approved Video Editing on Chromebook Top Recommendations
- [Updated] The Ultimate Guide to Delete Social Media Streaming for 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, Designing Your Perfect TikTok End Screen
- 2024 Approved Accelerate Clan Growth 9 Rapid-Fire Tips for Popularity
- 2024 Approved Rapid Resonance Refinement Eliminating Static and Hum in Seconds
- New Exploring the Best A Ranked List of 6 Top Transcription Automation Tools
- In 2024, Best Solutions for Infinix Network Unlock
- New In 2024, How to Do Motion Graphics in Filmora
- Catchy Counterpoint The Best Backwards Song Videos of This Year
- New GIF Velocity Controllers Online and Mobile Essentials for 2024
- [New] In 2024, Must-Haves Apps That Record Your Desktop
- [New] Elevate Your Instagram Feed Vertical Video Edits in FCPX for 2024
- Top 7 Phone Number Locators To Track OnePlus 11R Location | Dr.fone
- [Updated] Best Free Discord Logo Maker |
- In 2024, Elevating Your Webinar Footage with Best Practices
- Title: Expert Tips on Selecting the Ideal Video Aspect Ratio
- Author: Joseph
- Created at : 2024-05-24 15:12:57
- Updated at : 2024-05-25 15:12:57
- Link: https://extra-tips.techidaily.com/expert-tips-on-selecting-the-ideal-video-aspect-ratio/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.