Table of Contents
Introduction
Have you come across a video which is cropped irregularly or whose content is not clearly visible?
Have you created a video which looks fine when you view it on your phone but looks weird when you change the device?
All these problems have only one solution to them – ‘Mastering the art of aspect ratio!’
In today’s digital age, videos are considered to be an extremely important form of communication. From reels on Instagram to podcasts on Youtube, videos are everywhere.
However, it is pertinent to note that not all videos perform equally well on all the platforms. One of the key reasons for this is to not use the appropriate aspect ratio for the videos.
What is aspect ratio and why is it important for you to understand it?
This article will provide you with a detailed guide to understand aspect ratio and the role they play in creating perfect videos.
Key Takeaways
- Aspect ratio means the ratio between the width and height of the video.
- Having the right aspect ratio is essential for creating a perfect video and ensuring that the video is clearly visible to the viewers.
- Various social media platforms have different aspect ratio requirements and the users should change the aspect ratio as per the requirements of the platform.
What is Aspect Ratio?
The term ‘aspect ratio’ refers to the ratio between the width and height of a video. This is generally written as two numbers which are separated by a colon.
The first number represents the width of the video and the second number represents the height of the video.
For example, the aspect ratio 16:9 means that, for every 16 units of width, the video has 9 units of height.
Understanding the role of aspect ratios in uploading videos on various platforms is very important.
This is because different platforms have different aspect ratio requirements and understanding these requirements helps you to generate professional as well as crisp videos.
Why do Aspect Ratios Matter in Social Media Videos?
Maintain Video Quality
When you upload a video with an incorrect aspect ratio, it will lead the video to be distorted and awkward and sometimes have black bars as well which might hamper the viewership of the video.
Optimize for Each Platform
Different social media platforms have different aspect ratio requirements. Therefore, it is advised to check the requirements of the platform on which you want to upload your videos and then change the aspect ratio as per the requirements before uploading the videos.
Maximizing Your Return on Investment
If you’re using video ads on your social media, it becomes extremely important for you to choose the right aspect ratio. This is because, if the ads are optimized as per the platform’s requirements, the engagement is higher, which leads to a higher ROI.
Boost Engagement
People in social media are likely to get more views on posts which are visually appealing and which fit their screen perfectly. Videos which perfectly fit the platform’s aspect ratio requirements are more likely to keep the audience engaged.
Common Aspect Ratios for Various Platforms
| Aspect Ratio | Social Media Platform | How it works? |
|---|---|---|
|
Square (1:1) |
Instagram, Facebook , LinkedIn |
Square aspect ratios cover a major portion of the screen which make it ideal for social media feeds. Also, another pertinent feature of this aspect ratio is that it appears on the viewers screen without being cropped.
|
|
Widescreen (16:9) |
YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter |
This is the most commonly used aspect ratio and can be used for viewing and sharing videos on both desktop as well as mobile phone. It is often used for landscape shots, interviews and any content which requires a broader field of view. |
|
Vertical (9:16) |
Instagram stories, TikTok, Snapchat |
This aspect ratio is perfect for mobile users as it fills the screen and ensures that no space is wasted. |
|
Portrait (4:5 or 2:3) |
Instagram, Facebook |
This acts as a great compromise between square format and vertical videos. This allows you to maximize the screen space without losing the quality of the video. |
How Can You Choose the Right Aspect Ratios For Your Videos?
Understand the Aspect Ratio Requirements of the Platform
The aspect ratio of the video mostly depends on the platform on which you want to upload your videos. For example, if you want to upload a video on TikTok, the aspect ratio of your video should be 9:16. However, for YouTube, the aspect ratio should be 16:9.
Consider the Viewing Habits of Your Audience
On which device does your audience view your content? If your audience prefers using mobile phones, the ideal aspect ratio which you should use is 9:16. However, if they prefer using a desktop, then, the aspect ratio should be 16:9.
Think About the Type of Content you Want to Post
The type of content that you post influences the aspect ratio that should be used to a large extent. If you are a creator who posts videos on YouTube, then, the ideal aspect ratio for your videos would be 16:9. However, if you post reels on Instagram, you should prefer a vertical aspect ratio.
Use Tools to Optimize your Aspect Ratio
If you want to post content on multiple platforms, then, it is advisable for you to use some online automated tools which can help you to change the aspect ratio of the video hassle free before posting them.
Click on the video below to know more about aspect ratios and how to choose the best aspect ratio for your videos:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you change the aspect ratio of a video after recording it?
Yes, you can change the aspect ratio of a video after recording it. For this you can use different processes like cropping, reframing or resizing the video in order to change the aspect ratio. This might affect the quality of the final video if not done carefully.
How does aspect ratio affect the quality of a video?
If a platform has a specific aspect ratio requirement and you upload a video having the wrong aspect ratio, the video gets cropped or stretched which reduces the quality of the video. Therefore, using the right aspect ratio for videos ensures that the videos have the intended resolution across all devices.
What are some of the tools that can be used to change the aspect ratios of videos?
There are many automated AI tools which can be used to change the aspect ratio of a video. Some of the tools used are Adobe Premiere Pro, Kapwing, CapCut, Final Cut Pro, etc. These tools help change the aspect ratio as per the requirements of specific social media platforms.
Conclusion
To sum up, aspect ratio can be considered as a lens through which the audience gets to see your creativity.
A well framed video captures the attention and tells a better story. It is now up to you to decide whether you want to keep your audience engaged by posting visually appealing content or just want your content to be scrolled without any views.
So next time, before posting your videos without adjusting the aspect ratio, remember that is not just a technical detail, but a powerful tool that can make or break your social media game.
