Video aspect ratios: which one for which platform.

Four ratios cover almost every placement: 16:9 for the web and YouTube, 9:16 for vertical feeds and stories, 1:1 for the square feed and 4:5 for the portrait feed. Make the film once and cut it for each shape instead of letting the platform crop it.

Formats and sizes2 min readUpdated By the Video.app creative team

The four ratios

Pixel sizes below are the common ones for each ratio. Platforms accept others too.

RatioCommon sizeTypical use
16:91920 × 1080Websites, YouTube, presentations
9:161080 × 1920Reels, Stories, TikTok, Shorts
1:11080 × 1080Square feed posts
4:51080 × 1350Portrait feed posts

Platforms

YouTube is built around 16:9. TikTok and the short-form placements on Instagram and YouTube are vertical. LinkedIn and Facebook accept several ratios.

Cut for each shape

Cropping a wide film to vertical often cuts out the subject. Plan the frame for each ratio from the start: keep the subject central, leave room for text and decide what each version shows first.

Safe zones

Interfaces cover the edges of vertical films. Keep text and faces inside the safe area. The Instagram Reels guide gives the rule for that platform.

Put the ratios in the scope

Each ratio is part of the work, so list the ones you need in the brief. We deliver them together, with captions built into each version.

Common questions

What is the best ratio for a website?
16:9 is the usual choice on a desktop page; on mobile pages a vertical version can fit better.
Can one film work in every ratio?
Rarely. A frame designed for one shape is awkward in another.
What about 21:9?
It is used for cinematic banners. List it in the brief if you need it.
Do you deliver all the ratios at once?
Yes, as agreed in the scope.

Keep reading

Tell us the platforms. We reply with the scope.

What it needs to achieve, where it will run and when you need it. We reply with the scope, schedule and quote.

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