Video Aspect Ratios: Vertical, Horizontal and Square Explained
How 16:9, 9:16, 1:1 and 4:5 video formats differ, which suits which platform, and how to avoid black bars and awkward cropping.
Video aspect ratio is the shape of the frame, and choosing the right one decides how your video looks on different screens.
The main formats
- 16:9 (horizontal): the standard for TVs, computer monitors and most long-form video sites.
- 9:16 (vertical): tall, full-screen video, designed for phones held upright and used by story-style and short vertical video formats.
- 1:1 (square): equal sides. Works well in some feeds, and is a useful compromise.
- 4:5 (tall portrait): slightly taller than square. It takes up more of the screen in social feeds.
- 4:3: the older TV shape and the default for some cameras.
Black bars
If you show a video in a frame that doesn't match its shape, the player fills the empty space with black bars:
- Letterboxing: bars above and below a wide video shown on a taller screen.
- Pillarboxing: bars at the sides of a tall video shown on a wider screen.
Some people find bars distracting, while others accept them. If you prefer a full-frame look, crop the video to fit, but be careful not to cut off important content.
Choosing a format
- Sharing on phones only: vertical works well and fills the screen.
- Playing on a TV or laptop, or uploading to a long-form video platform: horizontal.
- Mixed audiences: square or 4:5 is a good compromise.
- Slideshows: choose the ratio based on where you'll show it.
Editing with the ratio in mind
- Frame for the final shape. If you know the video will be vertical, film vertically, and keep subjects central.
- Check the edges. When cropping from horizontal to vertical, make sure the subject remains in the frame.
- Watch the safe zone. Vertical video platforms often overlay buttons and captions near the edges. Place text and key content away from the top and bottom.
Converting horizontal to vertical
Cropping a horizontal clip to vertical uses only a narrow strip of the frame, and you lose most of the picture. It works for clips with a single central subject, but not for wide scenes with action across the frame.
Mixing clips of different shapes
If a project includes clips in different orientations, choose the final shape first. Then either crop clips to fit, or place them within the frame with a background. Avoid mixing without a plan, since it looks jarring.
Resolution
Vertical 1080 × 1920 and horizontal 1920 × 1080 contain the same number of pixels, and are both standard full HD.
Common mistakes
- Filming horizontally for a vertical platform.
- Placing text where platform overlays cover it.
- Cropping so tightly that people are cut off.
Practice
Take one horizontal clip and crop it to vertical, square and 4:5. See which one keeps your subject best.
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