The ratio of width to height of a picture, e.g. an aspect ratio of 2:1 or 2×1 means the picture is twice as wide as it is high. In TV and computer applications, the aspect ratio is typically expressed as an integer ratio (e.g., 37:20), whereas in cinema applications, the height is typically fixed to 1. (e.g., 1.85:1). These two examples—37:20 and 1.85:1—express the same aspect ratio.

Example aspect ratios in wide use (ordered from “taller” to “wider”):

  • 1:1: aka “square”. Popularized by social media, which may be consumed on phones held either in portrait mode or in landscape mode.
  • 5:4: Formerly popular for larger computer monitors, e.g., SXGA resolution of 1280×1024.
  • 4:3: Standard Definition TV, VGA computer monitors.
  • 16:10: Common aspect ratio for computer displays, especially notebooks, e.g., a resolution of 1920×1200.
  • 16:9: High Definition TV (1920×1080), Ultra High Definition TV (3840×2160).
  • 1.85:1: Common aspect ratio for cinema.
  • 2.39:1: Common widescreen aspect ratio for cinema.
  • 32:10, 16:5: Aspect ratio of ultra-wide, curved, computer displays, equivalent to two 16:10 displays side-by-side.
  • 32:9: Aspect ratio of ultra-wide, curved, computer displays, equivalent to two 16:9 displays side-by-side.