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What is an aspect ratio?

An aspect ratio is the shape of an image: its width compared to its height, written as two numbers such as 16:9 or 4:5. It says nothing about size. A 1600 x 900 image and a 3840 x 2160 image are both 16:9.

The first number is the width and the second the height, so 16:9 is wide, 9:16 is tall and 1:1 is square. To find a ratio, divide both sides by their largest common factor: 1080 x 1350 divides down to 4:5.

Platforms crop images that don't match the shape they display, which is why a photo can lose its edges when you post it. Choosing the ratio before you make the image keeps the important parts in frame.

In ImageQuarry, you can ask for a change to the composition in plain words and compare the new version with the last. Check the result against the shape your channel uses.

Source: standard definition; examples are arithmetic. Checked October 20, 2026.

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What is the difference between 16:9 and 9:16?The two ratios people mix up most.Read more

Related questions

What is the difference between 16:9 and 9:16?Same shape, turned: 16:9 is wide, 9:16 is tall.Read more What is a 4:5 aspect ratio used for?A slightly tall portrait shape used in social feeds and 8 x 10 prints.Read more Can AI change the aspect ratio of an existing image?Yes, by cropping or by extending the image with new area.Read more What aspect ratio should I use for Instagram posts?4:5 portrait for most feed posts.Read more What resolution are AI-generated images?Often about 1 megapixel by default; some models offer 2K or 4K.Read more

Last reviewed October 20, 2026 by ImageQuarry

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