An aspect ratio is the ‘shape’ of the image or video. More technically it is the relationship between the width and the height. Aspect ratios are expressed as 2 numbers, separated by a colon e.g. 16:9. The first number is always the width and the second is always the height. Common aspect ratios are:
- 16:9 – most modern computer monitors and TV’s are 16:9. Often this ratio is called ‘widescreen’.
- 4:3 – this ‘squarer’ shape less common now with computer monitors, but is still used by many tablet devices (iPads etc).
- 6:4 – This is the most common shape for still cameras and therefore most photographs you will be sent by a photographer will be in this aspect ratio. It is also used in computers – Microsoft Surface tablets for example – however it is usually referred to as a 3:2 aspect ratio. The shape however is, of course, the same.