2025 Quick Reference (Social & Video)
Save this table: best-practice ratios and starter dimensions that work across platforms this year.
| Platform | Best Use Ratio(s) | Starter Dimensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube (long-form) | 16:9 | 1920×1080, 3840×2160 | 16:9 is standard; player adapts to other shapes. [ref] |
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 | 1080×1920 | Vertical is prioritized and performs best. [ref] |
| TikTok | 9:16 (preferred); 1:1; 16:9 | ≥720×1280 recommended | All three ratios supported; vertical is native. [ref] |
| Instagram Reels | 9:16 | 1080×1920 | Reels accept 1.91:1–9:16; aim 9:16. [ref] |
| Instagram Photos | 1.91:1 to 3:4, incl. 1:1 & 4:5 | ≥1080 px width | 2025 update adds native 3:4 support. [ref] |
| Facebook Video | 16:9 to 9:16 | 1280×720+ | Landscape & vertical supported; upload highest quality. [ref] |
| X (Twitter) Images | 1:1, 1.91:1 | 1200×1200; 1200×628 | Official creative specs for image ads. [ref] |
| LinkedIn Posts/Ads | 1.91:1, 1:1 (also 4:5) | 1200×628; 1200×1200 | Official single-image ad specs & common post sizes. [ref] |
Next step: Get precise conversions with the Aspect Ratio Calculator.
Aspect Ratio, Simply Explained
Aspect ratio is width:height (W:H). Example: 1920×1080 reduces to 16:9; 1080×1920 reduces to 9:16; 1080×1350 reduces to 4:5.
Formula
- Find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of width and height.
- Divide both numbers by the GCD → write as
W:H.
Or skip the math and use our calculator.
Devices & Screens in 2025
- Monitors & laptops: 16:9 remains everywhere; 16:10 is surging in notebooks in 2025. Ultrawide 21:9 (≈64:27) and super-ultrawide 32:9 are popular for gaming and multitasking. [ref]
- Smartphones: Taller displays (19.5:9, 20:9, even 21:9) are common—one reason vertical 9:16 content dominates feeds. [ref]
- Tablets: iPad-style canvases lean closer to 4:3-ish, which letterboxes 16:9 video (by design).
Film & Print Ratios
- Cinema “Flat”: 1.85:1 (theatrical flat).
- Cinema “Scope”: 2.39:1; common DCI containers include 2048×858 (2K) and 4096×1716 (4K). [ref]
- ISO paper (A-series): constant 1:√2 ratio—fold in half and the ratio stays the same. [ref]
Keep Ratios in Code (CSS)
/* Maintain a box ratio without spacer hacks */
.card-media { aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; }
/* Fit images/videos inside any box while preserving ratio */
img, video {
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
object-fit: cover; /* fill and crop edges */
/* object-fit: contain; // letterbox/pillarbox but show everything */
}
/* Optional: container queries that react to the parent’s aspect */
.container { container-type: size; }
@container (aspect-ratio >= 1/1) { .hero { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; } }
@container (aspect-ratio < 1/1) { .hero { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }Support: modern browsers support aspect-ratio, object-fit, and container queries broadly in 2025. [ref]
Export Without Cropping
- Decide the target ratio first. Set your canvas to 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, or 4:5 before designing.
- Keep text in safe zones. Avoid platform UI areas (especially the bottom on vertical video).
- Crop vs pad: crop to protect the subject; pad (letterbox/pillarbox) for compliance or archives.
- Don’t bake black bars unless it’s a stylistic choice—players add them when needed.
- Be consistent: use a coherent set of ratios for thumbnails, covers, and hero images.
Common Conversions & Handy Dimensions
| Ratio | Landscape | Portrait | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16:9 | 1920×1080 · 3840×2160 | 1080×1920 | YouTube, slides, web hero; Shorts (portrait) |
| 4:5 | — | 1080×1350 | Instagram portrait posts |
| 1:1 | 1080×1080 | 1080×1080 | Square images, ads, avatars |
| 21:9 | 2560×1080 · 3440×1440 (≈43:18) | — | Ultrawide monitors, cinematic banners [ref] |
| 2.39:1 | 4096×1716 · 2048×858 | — | Cinema “scope”/DCP [ref] |
| 1:√2 | — | — | ISO A-series paper [ref] |
FAQ (2025)
What’s the best YouTube aspect ratio in 2025?
16:9 for long-form (the player adapts to other shapes). For Shorts, publish vertical 9:16. [ref]
What’s best for TikTok?
9:16 vertical is preferred; 1:1 and 16:9 also work. Use at least 720×1280 for quality. [ref]
Instagram photos vs Reels—what ratios?
Photos: 1.91:1 to 3:4 (plus 1:1 & 4:5 common). Reels: aim for 9:16. [ref]
How do I turn pixels into an aspect ratio quickly?
Reduce width and height by their GCD—or use the Aspect Ratio Calculator for one-click results.
How do I avoid ugly cropping on social?
Design inside the platform’s native ratio and keep essential text away from UI overlays; use object-fit: contain when you must show the entire image.
Try it now: Convert any size to the exact ratio you need with the Aspect Ratio Calculator.
