What is the 9:16 aspect ratio?
9:16 is the aspect ratio of vertical video: 9 parts wide to 16 parts tall, like 1080 x 1920 pixels. It fills a phone screen and is the standard for Reels, Shorts and TikTok. The aspect ratio is the relationship between width and height, and horizontal 16:9 is the reverse.
Also called: 9:16, aspect ratio, 1080 x 1920
The most used aspect ratios
The same moment can come out in more than one ratio, depending on the platform.
| Ratio | Common size | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 | Reels, Shorts, TikTok, Stories |
| 4:5 | 1080 x 1350 | Instagram feed |
| 1:1 | 1080 x 1080 | Feed, ads |
| 16:9 | 1920 x 1080 | YouTube, TV, websites |
Why aspect ratio matters
A horizontal video on Reels shows up small, with black bars, and loses to posts that fill the screen. The right ratio is the first thing that makes a clip feel native to the platform.
In vertical video, the app interface covers parts of the screen. So beyond the ratio, check the safe zone before placing captions and text.
Aspect ratios in FilmScribe
Every clip comes in 9:16 (1080 x 1920), 4:5 (1080 x 1350), 1:1, 16:9 or the original format, on every plan. In vertical, the camera follows whoever is speaking. You choose when you download and can render the same moment in more than one ratio.
Automatic vertical video Turn horizontal video into 9:16, 4:5 or 1:1 with the speaker always in frame. See vertical video →Choosing and converting aspect ratios
- 01
Decide the ratio before shooting
Pick the main delivery ratio before you shoot. Framing for 16:9 and cropping to 9:16 later throws away most of the width, while shooting vertical leaves nothing for a horizontal cut.
- 02
Never stretch to fit
Do not force a 16:9 video into 9:16 by stretching it. Crop and reframe, or fit it over a blurred or colored background. Stretched faces are noticed instantly.
- 03
Check width and height
A frame size typed backwards, 1920 x 1080 instead of 1080 x 1920, gives you a horizontal file with the vertical image letterboxed inside. Read the export settings before you render.
- 04
Use square pixels
Some older and broadcast files use non-square pixels. If a converted video looks slightly squeezed, check that the export uses a pixel aspect ratio of 1.0, which social platforms expect.
Related terms
See all terms →Frequently asked questions
What resolution is 9:16?
The most common is 1080 x 1920 pixels. 720 x 1280 and 2160 x 3840 share the same ratio.
Is 9:16 or 4:5 better for Instagram?
For Reels, 9:16. In the feed, 4:5 takes up more screen than square, and 9:16 gets cropped in the profile grid.
How do I turn 16:9 video into 9:16?
By cropping the image and deciding what stays in frame. Automatic reframing follows the speaker so no one gets cut off.
Captions, clips and paper edits. All in one place.
Upload a video or paste a YouTube link. We transcribe every word with its timing, and you take the result to social media or to your editor.
See the result on your own recording before adding a card.