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Phone Aspect Ratio Explained: A Complete Guide to Mobile Video Size & Ratios

Liza Brown
Liza Brown
Aug 08, 25 • Proven solutions

If you are a professional video or image creator, you know what aspect ratio is and why aspect ratio is important. Even people passionate about their cameras and visual art enthusiasts know it. If you are a newbie, Let us make it easy for you. This article will talk about the vertical phone aspect ratio ratio, its definition, types, iPhone vertical video dimensions, etc. We’ll also provide you solid tips on mobile vertical video size and how to create phone vertical videos easily. Let’s jump into the topic and see what you can learn.

Versatile Video Editor - Wondershare Filmora

 Part 1 What Is a Phone Aspect Ratio?

The vertical phone aspect ratio is the “proportional” relationship between the screen's width and height. For example, if your image or video has an aspect ratio of 4:5, it simply means the width of the screen (photo or video) is four times the height of the image.

The vertical phone aspect ratio is the “proportional” relationship between the screen's width and height. For example, if your image or video has an aspect ratio of 4:5, it simply means the width of the screen (photo or video) is four times the height of the image.

Back in the television days, you might have seen certain old pictures with black padding on either side of the screen. It was just that they were shot in different aspect ratios and your television screen had different aspect ratios.

Aspect Ratio Vs Resolution:

Remember that aspect ratio does not refer to the physical size of an image or its dimensions in pixels (resolution). So aspect ratio 3:1 does not refer to the actual width and height of the image or video; it just describes their relationship.

You are wrong if you think aspect ratio is just another fancy name for resolution. Think again. Check out how it is calculated.

Feature Aspect Ratio Resolution
Definition The Ratio of the width of an image to the height of the image. Total number of pixels displayed on your screen (computer, cell phone, television)
Commonly Used ● 1:1 ● 3:1 ● 3:2 ● 4:3 ● 5:4 ● 9:1 ● 16:9 ● 640x480 ● 800x600 ● 1024x768

Aspect Ratio Calculator:

To get the resolution, you need to multiply width times the height. To get aspect ratio, the formula is: Divide the width by the height or simply divide the long side by the short side.

There are multiple online aspect ratio calculators available. Check out the value for both the images and the videos generated through the photo ratio calculator for your ease.

Common Aspect Ratio AR Width AR Height Image Width (px) Image Height (px)
1:1
Square
1 1 1920 1920
5:4
Large and medium format cameras
5 4 1920 1536
4:3
Standard
4 3 1920 1440
3:2
35mm camera
3 2 1920 1280
16:9 16 9 1920 1080
3:1
Panoramic
3 1 1920 640
9:16 9 16 1080 1920

For example, the aspect ratio of 3:1 may be an image of 3m wide and 1m high. At the same time it can be 3 feet wide and 1 foot high. For further simplification, consider dimensions in pixels: a 6000×4000 image has 3:2 aspect ratios.

Always remember this small but crucial point. The aspect ratio refers to the image or video you captured or recorded and the display (or screen) in which your video or image would be displayed.

Why is the aspect ratio important?

In the age of web content, asking why aspect ratio is important? Some may consider it naïve. Images need to be uploaded at different aspect ratios for different uses (desktop vs. mobile or blog vs. social media). Incorrect aspect ratio affects your final image and end-user experience.

Choice of the wrong aspect ratio can eliminate the potential for editing (cropping and resizing). In addition, using the correct aspect ratios saves you from facing the trouble of distortion or clipping.

 Part 2 Mobile Aspect Ratios Explained: From 1:1 to Vertical 9:16

Image Aspect Ratios:

The aspect ratio decides and changes the entire composition and how the audience perceives the image. First, let us see some common image aspect ratios.

A visual comparison of different image aspect ratios, including the 1:1, 4:3, and 16:9 phone screen ratio.

● 1:1 Ratio

An example of the 1:1 mobile aspect ratio, showing a square image of a mountain ideal for social media profile pictures.

If you have seen a square-shaped image, it had probably a 1:1 aspect ratio. It simply means both sides (width and height of the image) are equal. It was initially the aspect ratio of square television sets. However, this is commonly used for print photos, mobile screens, and social platforms.

● 3:2 Ratio

A landscape photograph illustrating the classic 3:2 phone aspect ratio, often used in still photography.

Initially used for classic 35 mm film and still photography, aspect ratio 3:5 is still used on some laptops, tablets, and handheld game consoles. The famous example of this aspect ratio Images framed at 1080×720 pixels or 6″x4″.

● 5:4 Ratio

A portrait image demonstrating the 5:4 mobile video size, a popular ratio for photography and art prints.

It was commonly used for photography and art prints. For Images having dimensions, 8″x10″ and 16x20 have the 5:4 aspect ratios.

Video Aspect Ratios:

An infographic showing various video aspect ratios, highlighting the differences in mobile video ratio formats.

Like the image aspect ratios, video aspect ratios would also profoundly affect its composition and thus how your directed viewers perceive it. Some common mobile vertical video size or video aspect ratios are given below.

● 16:9 Ratio

A widescreen city video displayed in the standard 16:9 mobile video size ratio.

If you have seen presentation slides, computer monitors, or widescreee seen this slimmer and more elongated rectangular-shaped 16:9 Ratio. This is the standardized widescreen aspect ratio that you see everywhere on the web. In terms of pixel common dimension for 16:9 is 1920×1080 pixels and 1280×720 pixels.

● 9:16 Ratio (Vertical)

A smartphone displaying a vertical video which represents the 9:16 phone aspect ratio vertical for social media.

When smartphones started coming with video capabilities, this Ratio became popular. Likewise, today this Ratio is trendy for social media platforms with video story capabilities.

The Instagram story typically consists of 1080x1920 pixels, which in terms of aspect ratio is 9:16. Most phones, such as iPhone, have a feature that allows you to record footage in both (16:9 as well as 9:16).

Phone aspect ratio vertical:

Back in the day, taking aspect ratio vertical (portrait mode) footage was considered unprofessional and a sign of an amateur. But the digital revolution has changed that. Now from unforgivable sin, the vewayal mode has practically become a mainstream media sensation. Vertical style has now become the dominant format.

A person holding a smartphone to showcase the modern mobile phone aspect ratio for vertical video viewing.

Phone aspect ratio vertical simply means taller screen than wider. The most common type is 9:16 (1080x1920 pixels), a typical vertical videos aspect ratio. Although this phone aspect ratio vertical comes in a few more shapes and sizes such as 4:5, 2:3.

 Part 3 Shooting the Perfect Vertical Video: 7 Essential Tips

Creating vertical videos is crucial for getting engagements and growing your brand. It is easy with a phone because most smartphones, by default, record in 9:16, which is the standard vertical aspect ratio. But with a camera, you have to manually edit to the correct aspect ratio before you shoot it.

You can also shoot horizontally and then change it to vertical, but it needs professional videographer expertise.

Who wants to rotate their phones watching videos? Well, as far as the trend, Let us see some tiny but handy tips for creating vertical phone videos.

1. Choose the correct aspect ratio

Video taller than the 1:1 aspect ratio is commonly considered Vertical video. Types of these vertical aspects ratio include 4:5 (social), 2:3 and 9:16. They are all taller than they are wide, thus vertical.

Choosing the correct aspect ratio for your vertical video, always think about why and where you intend to use the video. The second important thing you should consider is your plans for editing that video.

Cropping horizontal can be irritating and sometimes disappointing at the same time. Producing a 9:16 vertical frame at HD resolution from a horizontal HD frame may result in very pixelated and low-quality footage.

If, for some reason, you still want first to shoot it horizontal and then change it back to mobile vertical video size. You may need to shoot in 4K horizontally to get extra pixels to work with. It can later be cropped in the sides to 9:16 (Vertical phone aspect ratio). Plus, you won't need to scale it anymore.

2. Direct your viewer's eyes

For hooking social media viewers, you need to put your most interesting visual upfront. These include GIFs, colourful stop-motion or looping animation. Always try to match your first couple of shots with your overall brand personality.

3. Screen splitting into two or more

A split-screen effect on a vertical phone display, showing a creative way to use the 9:16 phone screen aspect ratio.

A tall vertical screen can be styled with multiple horizontal clips on top of each other. These clips must relate to your relevant content and overall look. Natural lines or patterns can help display them in the most creative ways.

4. Be close to your subject

For producing an intimate experience with the vertical frame, you should get closer to the subject. Most of the action will be positioned to the centre as your viewers scroll. Do not let cut off or cover up your main subject by any text and make sure you leave enough room for text, emojis and stickers.

5. Filling the vertical space

First, make sure that your subject is vertical-friendly. Then get closer and fill the space within the vertical frame. The vertical frame can be filled through the following:

● Up-close shot (if the subject is personal).

● Raising the camera high and tilting it down (to film things like a long, empty road).

● Bird’s-eye view from above.

6. Rule of Third

A guide to the Rule of Thirds showing how to improve composition for any mobile video ratio, with grid lines over a subject.

This photography rule says not to place the main subject directly in the center of the frame. Create more dynamic composition by creating imaginary (Horizontal & Vertical) lines that divide your frame into thirds.

You have to place your subject either on the lines or where the lines meet up. And guess what? You don't need to draw imaginary nowadays. Most cameras and smartphones provide you with this option.

7. Avoid Shaking

You do not want to distract your viewers with shaky camera moments. Normal pan and 360-degree rotation are acceptable or maybe even essential. But moving side to side too quickly will make it difficult for the camera to process that information. You better use a selfie stick or gimbal.

Now, check out the best vertical video ratios for various social platforms.

 Part 4 The Ultimate Cheat Sheet: Best Mobile Video Ratios for Social Media

Best video aspect ratios for Facebook:

The Facebook logo, indicating the best iphone vertical aspect ratio for Facebook feed posts and stories.

● 1:1 or 4:5 (Feed)

● 9:16 (Stories) Full portrait/Vertical

● 1:1 (Video Carousel)

● 16:9 (In streams, ads) -> Full landscape

● 9:16 (Audience Network)

● 2:3 (Vertical)

Best video aspect ratios for Instagram:

● 1:1 (Feed)

● 4:5 (Feed ads)

● 9:16 (Stories)

● 9:16 (Reels)

● 9:16 (ICTV)

Best video aspect ratios for Twitter:

The Twitter logo, symbolizing the optimal phone ratio for videos and posts on the platform.

● 1:1 (Promoted Videos)

● 1:1 or 9:16 (Sponsorship)

● 16:9 (Live Videos)

● 1:11 or 16:9 (Video Posts)

Best video aspect ratios for TikTok:

● 9:16, 1:1, or 16:9 (For ads)

● 9:16 (For organic videos)

 Part 5 How to Easily Change Any Video's Aspect Ratio

Wondershare Filmora:

Being a newbie and producing perfect and professional vertical video content can be challenging, especially for the social platform. And then perfection requires delicate skills. If you want to change the aspect ratio after capturing an image or shooting a video, you need post-processing software.

There are tons of post-processing software available that have aspect ratio tools. As a tech geek, I even want essential tools that can serve all my needs and are also simple to use. Wondershare Filmora (iOS and Android) and Wondershare Filmora (Windows) is just that platform where you simply record, edit and share right away. It is loaded with easy-to-use editing features, special effects, social media integration options, and your desired music.

The best thing about Filmora Go is that it is for every skill level, unlike the other video editing software. Moreover, it lets you build unique custom build animation without breaking a sweat. So if you have a horizontal video, Filmora Go makes it easy to edit it into a Vertical one.

Features:

● Allows users to make videos anywhere using your iOS or Android device.

● The powerful editing tools of Filmora and Filmora help you create excellent iPhone vertical video dimensions.

● A dynamic music library helps users to add great background music in the videos.

● Both Filmora and Filmora (Desktop) have a user-friendly and intuitive user interface.

● The new Video Beautification feature helps you modify the shape of your face, lips, or nose in the picture.

Wondershare Filmora

Get started easily with Filmora's powerful performance, intuitive interface, and countless effects!

filmora

Conclusion

The vertical phone aspect ratio may seem avoidable, but you need a near-perfect influence on your desired audience to engage and grow. Thus, the Aspect ratio is not something to avoid if you want to compete in the business. Smartphone digital evolution has shifted the balance towards the phone aspect ratio vertical. In this article, we also talked about iPhone video dimensions vertical, hope it will help you. Platforms like Filmora provides comprehensive and easy editing solutions to edit aspect ratio as desired.

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