What is the 9:16 aspect ratio and why it rules the screen

Not too long ago, vertical video was considered a rookie mistake. Remember those cringe-worthy moments when someone would film in portrait mode, only to have black bars on the sides when played back on a widescreen? Those days are over. In today’s mobile-first world, the 9:16 aspect ratio is reigning supreme.

 

So, let's dive into everything you need to know about this game-changing format.

A walk back in time

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of 9:16, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane. Aspect ratios have always been a big deal in video production. From the classic 4:3 of old-school TVs to the cinematic 16:9 of your favorite Netflix series, these dimensions shape how we see the world through a screen.

 

The 9:16 aspect ratio, also known as vertical video, has exploded in popularity in the past few years. It’s the format designed to perfectly fit your smartphone screen when held upright, which is how most of us interact with our devices these days.

What is an aspect ratio?

Let’s start with the basics. An aspect ratio is simply the relationship between the width and height of your video frame. It’s usually expressed as two numbers separated by a colon, like 16:9 or 4:3. For example, a 16:9 ratio means that for every 16 units of width, there are 9 units of height. Think of it as the shape of your video.

 

With more people consuming media on their phones than ever before, the 9:16 aspect ratio has become the go-to format. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have championed this revolution, making 9:16 the new normal.

Why the 9:16 aspect ratio is thriving

The rise of vertical video (or 9:16 aspect ratio) can be traced back to a few key early adopters and platforms that saw the potential in this unconventional format and helped it gain mainstream popularity. Initially, vertical video was often criticized for its departure from traditional widescreen formats. As mobile devices became the primary tool for capturing and consuming content, the need for video formats that aligned with the way people naturally hold their phones—vertically—became apparent.

 

Snapchat was one of the first platforms to fully embrace the 9: 16 aspect ratio, launching in 2011 with a focus on short, user-generated content designed to be viewed on mobile screens. Snapchat's 'Stories' feature, which allowed users to share vertical videos that disappeared after 24 hours, became immensely popular and set the stage for other platforms to follow suit.

Instagram soon recognized the potential of vertical video with the introduction of Instagram Stories in 2016, inspired by Snapchat’s format. This feature allowed users to share vertical videos and images that fit perfectly on a mobile screen, quickly becoming one of Instagram’s most-used features. For Instagram, aspect ratio of 9:16 worked really well and further solidified the vertical video format as a standard for mobile content.

 

TikTok, which launched globally in 2018, took the 9:16 aspect ratio videos to the next level. The platform was built entirely around the concept of short-form, vertical videos, with an emphasis on user creativity and engagement. With TikTok, aspect ratio of 9: 16 became popular and inspired other platforms like YouTube with its Shorts feature and Facebook with Reels, to integrate vertical video into their offerings.

 

Learn how to build a Tik Tok clone with api.video.

 

These early adopters and platforms didn't just popularize vertical video; they fundamentally shifted how content is created and consumed, paving the way for the 9:16 aspect ratio to become a dominant format in the digital age.

Ways to use the 9:16 ratio for videos

There are multiple ways to put the 9:16 aspect ratio to use for videos.

1. For stories, reels, and shorts

Social media is where 9:16 truly shines. Whether it’s Instagram Stories, TikTok videos, or YouTube Shorts, vertical video is optimized for quick consumption and high engagement. It’s perfect for grabbing attention and showing immersive experiences.

2. For live streaming and video calls

Vertical video isn’t just for pre-recorded content. It’s also great for live streaming and video calls. Apps like Instagram Live and Zoom have adopted vertical formats, making it easier to connect with your audience in real-time.

3. Advertising and mobile-friendly marketing campaigns

Advertisers have caught on to the 9:16 trend, too. Vertical video ads are now commonplace, especially on platforms like Snapchat and Instagram. They’re designed to be mobile-friendly, ensuring that your message reaches viewers exactly where they are—on their phones.

 

As per a set of experiments conducted by Buffer, it was found that vertical video outperformed square video within the Facebook News Feed!

What makes the 9:16 ratio stand out

There are quite a few reasons why the 9:16 aspect ratio is being adopted globally by businesses.

1. Full utilization of mobile screen

One of the biggest perks of 9:16 is that it makes full use of your mobile screen. No wasted space, no awkward cropping—just pure content that fills the frame and grabs attention.

 

For instance, one study revealed that vertical videos led to 13% more 3-second views and a staggering 157% increase in 50% total watch time compared to square videos.

2. An immersive viewing experience

Vertical videos are naturally more engaging on mobile. They’re designed to keep users glued to their screens, swiping from one video to the next. If you’re looking to boost your social media presence, 9:16 is the way to go.

 

Video, in particular, is an incredibly powerful tool for engaging potential visitors with its sensory-rich storytelling and emotional depth. As per Paul Zak, in his book on Immersion: The Science of the Extraordinary and the Source of Happiness, viewing video on a phone can actually be more immersive due to the physical intimacy it creates, often making it even more engaging than watching it on a larger screen on a wall or on a desk.

3. Can be repurposed to suit other platforms

9:16 format of videos can be repurposed into shorter highlight reels or teasers tailored for different platforms. For instance, key moments from a 9:16 video can be extracted and edited into a 16:9 format for a YouTube promo, or condensed into a square (1:1) format for Instagram posts. This allows creators to maintain the essence of the original content while adapting it to platform-specific requirements.

 

Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat all utilize stories or ad formats that are perfect for vertical video.

Limitations of the 9:16 ratio

1. Compatibility issues with traditional and widescreen formats

Of course, 9:16 isn’t without its challenges. The biggest issue? Compatibility with traditional formats. While vertical video is great for mobile, it can be tricky to display on widescreen devices like TVs or desktop monitors.

2. Potential aesthetic limitations in storytelling

The vertical format can also pose some aesthetic challenges. Filmmakers and storytellers used to widescreen may find the narrow frame limiting. It requires a different approach to composition, framing, and visual storytelling.

3. Considerations for cross-platform content distribution

If you’re creating content for multiple platforms, you’ll need to think about how 9:16 fits into the mix. Not all platforms support vertical video, so you may need to create different versions for different channels.

Other aspect ratios

1:1 Aspect ratio

In this format, the width and height of the video or image are identical, making it a perfect square. This ratio is highly versatile and works well across different devices, providing a consistent viewing experience whether on mobile, tablet, or desktop. The 1:1 format is especially effective for platforms that emphasize quick, digestible content, where users scroll through feeds rapidly. Its symmetrical shape naturally draws attention, making it ideal for product showcases, portraits, and social media ads.

4:3 Aspect ratio

The 4:3 aspect ratio is a classic format that was the standard for television broadcasts and early digital cameras. This ratio, with its slightly wider-than-tall frame, offers a balanced view that works well for both video and still images. It was widely used in the days of analog TV and is still preferred in some applications today, such as for presentations, slideshows, and certain types of digital content where the square-like shape is more appropriate.

3:2 Aspect ratio

The 3:2 aspect ratio is commonly associated with photography, particularly in DSLR cameras, as it matches the native sensor ratio of many digital cameras. This ratio is slightly wider than the traditional 4:3 but not as elongated as the 16:9 format, offering a balanced frame that is ideal for a variety of photographic compositions. The 3:2 ratio allows photographers to capture scenes with enough width to include contextual background elements while still focusing on the main subject.

16:9 Aspect ratio

The 16:9 aspect ratio is the current standard for most video content, including television broadcasts, films, and online videos. Known as the widescreen format, 16:9 provides a broader frame that closely mirrors the human field of vision, making it ideal for creating immersive viewing experiences. This aspect ratio became the standard with the advent of high-definition (HD) television and is now ubiquitous across various media platforms, from YouTube to Netflix.

21:9 Aspect ratio

The 21:9 aspect ratio, also known as the ultra-widescreen format, is gaining popularity, especially in cinematic productions and gaming. This format is significantly wider than the traditional 16:9, offering a more expansive view that is ideal for epic landscapes, action sequences, and immersive storytelling. The 21:9 ratio closely mirrors the aspect ratio used in most major motion pictures, providing a true cinematic experience that translates well to home theater systems.

How to tell the aspect ratio of a video

Today, before uploading a video on any social media channel, ‘instagram aspect ratio’ or ‘youtube aspect ratio’ are some of the most commonly searched terms! That’s because users want to make sure that the video they upload matches the requirements of the respective platform.

 

Determining the aspect ratio of a video is a straightforward process that involves comparing the width and height of the video frame. To tell the aspect ratio, simply divide the width of the video by its height. For instance, if a video is 1920 pixels wide and 1080 pixels tall, dividing 1920 by 1080 gives you 1.78, which corresponds to the 16:9 aspect ratio. If you’re unsure of the exact dimensions, video editing software often displays the aspect ratio or allows you to manually check the video’s properties.

 

Additionally, online tools and calculators can quickly determine the aspect ratio by inputting the video’s width and height. That’s where aspect ratio calculators become useful.

Aspect ratio calculators

What do aspect ratio calculators do?

 

Aspect ratio calculators are tools for video creators to help them ensure that their content is perfectly tailored to various screen formats and devices. By inputting the desired width or height, these calculators instantly provide the corresponding dimension to maintain a specific aspect ratio, such as 16:9 or 9:16. This is particularly useful when resizing videos for different platforms, ensuring that the content appears correctly without distortion or cropping. To experiment with an aspect ratio calculator, check out this simple calculator by CalculateTheRatio.

We're in the heart of a video revolution where the classic 16:9 landscape format is giving way to the 9:16 vertical format. This shift has quickly become the norm for video creation and consumption. With over a billion users engaging with vertical videos on platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp, and even YouTube jumping on board, vertical video is reshaping how we produce and experience content. It’s high time businesses embrace the movement.

 

Are you someone building a video app similar to Tik Tok or Instagram? Use api.video to integrate user-generated videos and live streams in your app — with just a few lines of code. To learn more about building short form video platform, head to this page.

 

Or simply, sign-up for a free sandbox account and try out our features by yourself.