Image, video, print and display guides
Clear answers, exact calculations and decision-focused workflows. Choose a topic below, then use the linked calculator to apply it to your own dimensions.
Start here
New to proportions? Begin with What Is Aspect Ratio?. If you already have a width and height, learn how to find their ratio or enter them in the aspect ratio calculator. To change a frame without stretching it, read the crop and padding workflow.
For a destination-specific answer, move to the video tools, social media sizes, print sizing guides or wallpaper guides. The topic groups below contain only published guides, so every link leads to a complete reference.
Aspect ratio basics
What Is Aspect Ratio? A Practical Guide to Image and Video Shape
Understand aspect ratio, how width and height form a ratio, why it differs from resolution, and how to choose the right shape for images and video.
GuideHow to Find an Aspect Ratio from Width and Height
Find and simplify any aspect ratio from pixel dimensions, with worked examples, decimal ratios and guidance for non-standard sizes.
GuideHow to Change Aspect Ratio Without Ruining the Composition
Choose between crop, padding and reframing when changing an image or video aspect ratio, with a practical decision process.
GuideHow to Change Aspect Ratio Without Cropping
Keep every part of an image or video visible by adding canvas space, letterboxing or designing an adaptive background.
GuideAspect Ratio vs Resolution: What Each Number Actually Means
Learn the difference between aspect ratio and resolution and how both affect framing, sharpness, file size and export decisions.
GuidePortrait vs Landscape: Orientation, Ratios and When to Use Each
Compare portrait and landscape orientation for photos, documents, screens and social video, with practical composition guidance.
GuideCommon Aspect Ratios for Photos, Video, Screens and Social Media
A practical reference to common aspect ratios, their exact shapes and the situations where each format is normally useful.
Images and photos
What Is Image Resolution? Pixels, Dimensions and Detail Explained
Understand image resolution, pixel dimensions, megapixels and print density without confusing them with aspect ratio or file size.
GuideHow to Find an Image's Resolution and Aspect Ratio
Check image width, height, megapixels and aspect ratio, then interpret whether the file is large enough for screen or print use.
GuideHow to Resize an Image Without Losing Quality
Resize images cleanly by preserving aspect ratio, choosing an appropriate resampling method and avoiding unnecessary recompression.
GuideHow to Resize an Image Without Pixelation
Prevent blocky edges and soft detail by understanding source pixels, enlargement limits, resampling and final viewing size.
GuideStandard Photo Sizes: Print Dimensions, Ratios and Pixels
Compare common photo print sizes, their aspect ratios and pixel dimensions at 300 PPI before cropping or ordering prints.
Guide4×6 Photo Dimensions: Inches, Centimeters, Ratio and Pixels
Find the exact dimensions and 3:2 aspect ratio of a 4×6 photo, including pixels for 150, 240 and 300 PPI printing.
Guide5×7 Photo Dimensions: Ratio, Centimeters and Print Pixels
Check 5×7 photo dimensions, its 5:7 aspect ratio and the pixels required for common print densities.
Print and density
Image Resolution for Print: How Many Pixels Do You Need?
Calculate print resolution from inches and PPI, choose a realistic density and avoid unnecessary upscaling.
GuideDPI vs PPI: The Difference for Images, Screens and Printing
Understand DPI versus PPI, which value belongs in image calculations and why changing metadata alone does not add detail.
GuideWhat Is DPI? Printer Resolution Without the Common Myths
Learn what dots per inch means for printers, how it differs from image pixels and why a DPI metadata value alone does not change quality.
GuidePixels per Inch (PPI) Explained for Images, Prints and Screens
Learn what pixels per inch means, calculate PPI for images, prints and screens, and understand how PPI differs from printer DPI.
Video quality and delivery
Video Resolution Chart: SD, HD, Full HD, 2K, 4K and 8K
Compare common video resolutions, pixel counts, aspect ratios and practical uses without confusing consumer UHD and cinema formats.
Guide720p vs 1080p: Resolution, Pixel Count and File Size
Compare 1280×720 and 1920×1080 video, including pixel count, scaling, bandwidth and when each resolution makes sense.
Guide1080p vs 4K: Pixels, Viewing Distance and Real-World Tradeoffs
Compare Full HD and 4K UHD by pixel count, display conditions, editing load, bitrate and storage before choosing a format.
Guide2K vs 4K Resolution: Cinema Standards and Monitor Labels
Compare true DCI 2K and 4K with the looser 1440p and UHD marketing labels commonly used for monitors and video.
GuideHow to Calculate Video File Size from Bitrate and Duration
Estimate video storage from total bitrate and running time, with worked examples and the difference between decimal MB and binary MiB.
GuideHow to Reduce Video File Size Without Visible Quality Loss
Make video files smaller by choosing an efficient codec, sensible bitrate, resolution and audio settings while protecting visible detail.
Displays and monitors
Monitor Resolution Explained: Pixels, Scaling and Aspect Ratio
Understand monitor resolution, native pixels, operating-system scaling and how to choose a usable desktop setup.
GuideWhat Is My Monitor Resolution? Screen Pixels vs Browser Viewport
Understand the difference between physical screen resolution, operating-system scaling, device pixel ratio and browser viewport measurements.
GuideMonitor Resolution Chart: HD, QHD, 4K, Ultrawide and 5K
Compare common monitor resolutions by exact dimensions, pixel count and aspect ratio for productivity, design and gaming workflows.
Guide1080p vs 1440p: Pixel Count, Sharpness and GPU Load
Compare Full HD and QHD monitor resolutions by pixels, scaling, performance and practical screen-size considerations.
Guide1440p vs 4K: Resolution, Scaling and Performance Compared
Compare QHD and 4K UHD monitor resolutions by pixel count, desktop scaling, graphics load and suitable use cases.
GuideUltrawide Monitor Resolutions: 21:9, 32:9 and Exact Ratios
Compare common ultrawide monitor dimensions, exact aspect ratios, workspace and compatibility considerations.
Video framing and delivery
How to Convert Video Aspect Ratio Without Stretching
Convert a video to a new aspect ratio using crop, padding or reframing while preserving natural proportions and export quality.
GuideHow to Turn a Horizontal Video into Vertical Video
Reframe landscape footage for a vertical 9:16 canvas using crop, split layouts, backgrounds and shot-by-shot composition.
GuideYouTube Video Aspect Ratios for Videos, Shorts and Thumbnails
Choose the correct YouTube aspect ratio for standard videos, Shorts and thumbnails, and understand player padding and previews.
GuideWhy Your Video Has Black Bars and How to Fix Them
Diagnose letterboxing, pillarboxing and baked-in bars, then choose crop, fit or native-ratio delivery without distorting video.
GuideCrop vs Letterbox: Which Video Framing Method Should You Use?
Compare cropping and letterboxing with exact geometry, composition tradeoffs and a practical decision process for video delivery.
GuideFit, Fill, Crop or Stretch: How Video Framing Methods Differ
Understand fit, fill, crop and stretch behavior using exact examples so video reaches a new frame without accidental distortion.
GuideHow to Reframe 16:9 Video for TikTok, Reels and Shorts
Build effective 9:16 versions of a 16:9 edit for TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts without blind center crops.
GuideVertical Video Safe Zones for Captions, Text and Key Visuals
Plan safe areas for TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts while accounting for controls, captions and changing previews.
GuideHow Frame Rate, Bitrate and Resolution Affect Video File Size
Understand which video settings directly control file size and how frame rate, resolution, codec and content affect bitrate choices.
GuideHow to Choose a Bitrate for a Target Video File Size
Calculate a safe video bitrate from duration and target file size while reserving space for audio, container overhead and variation.
Video compression and file size
How to Reduce MP4 File Size Without Making It Look Bad
Reduce an MP4 file intelligently by trimming, choosing an efficient codec, controlling bitrate and testing the scenes most likely to break.
GuideVideo Resolution vs Bitrate: Which One Controls Quality?
Learn how resolution and bitrate interact, why neither guarantees quality, and how to choose a balanced export for real content.
GuideHow Much Video Fits in 25MB, 100MB, 500MB or 1GB?
Estimate video duration from a storage or upload limit and total bitrate, with practical examples and safety margins.
GuideHow to Calculate Video Recording Time from Storage and Bitrate
Estimate camera or screen-recording time from card capacity and total bitrate while allowing for audio, overhead and variable data rates.
GuideVideo Codec vs Container: MP4, MOV, H.264, H.265 and AV1
Understand how containers and codecs differ, what common labels actually mean, and how compatibility and compression affect delivery.
GuideWhy Videos with the Same Resolution Have Different File Sizes
Explain file-size differences between videos with identical dimensions using duration, bitrate, codec, frame rate, audio and scene complexity.
GuideHow to Prepare a Video for an Upload File-Size Limit
Meet a strict video upload limit by calculating bitrate, reserving overhead and testing quality without random repeated compression.
GuideConstant vs Variable Bitrate: File Size and Quality Explained
Compare CBR and VBR for streaming, recording and file delivery, including size prediction, quality allocation and peak-rate constraints.
Image cropping and print preparation
Cropping vs Resizing an Image: What Actually Changes?
Understand how cropping and resizing affect composition, aspect ratio, pixel dimensions and quality so you can choose the correct operation.
GuideHow to Crop an Image to an Aspect Ratio Without Stretching
Calculate and position an exact aspect-ratio crop while preserving natural proportions, important content and enough pixels for output.
GuideHow Much of an Image Will Be Lost When Cropping?
Calculate crop dimensions, removed pixels and percentage area when fitting one image aspect ratio into another without distortion.
GuideWhich Aspect Ratio Should You Use for Photography?
Choose between 3:2, 4:3, 4:5, 1:1 and panoramic photo ratios based on capture, composition, print and delivery needs.
GuideHow to Crop a 3:2 Photo for 4×5, 5×7 and 8×10 Prints
Prepare a 3:2 camera image for common print ratios with exact crop examples, resolution checks, bleed and composition guidance.
GuideHow Many Megapixels Do You Need for a Print?
Calculate megapixels for print dimensions and PPI while accounting for aspect-ratio crop, source detail and viewing distance.
GuideWhat Does 300 DPI Mean in Pixels?
Convert print inches or centimeters to pixels at 300 DPI and understand why DPI alone cannot specify an image size.
GuidePoster Resolution: Choosing DPI by Size and Viewing Distance
Choose realistic poster pixel dimensions by physical size, viewing distance, source detail and printer requirements instead of one fixed DPI rule.
GuideBleed, Trim and Safe Area for Print Files
Understand bleed, trim size and safe area, calculate the full artwork canvas and prevent white edges or clipped content in print.
GuideCan a Low-Resolution Image Make a Good Large Print?
Evaluate whether a small image can work as a large print using supplied PPI, viewing distance, source quality, crop and proofing.
Responsive images and displays
Responsive Images Explained: srcset, sizes and picture
Use responsive image markup correctly by separating resolution switching, layout width and art direction, with practical HTML examples.
GuideScreen Resolution vs Viewport vs Device Pixel Ratio
Distinguish physical screen pixels, CSS viewport dimensions and device pixel ratio, then apply them to screenshots and responsive images.
How to use this library
Start with the question closest to your task. Each guide gives a direct answer, explains the tradeoffs, provides a reference table and links to the calculator that applies the math. For a known pixel size, use the resolution library; for a fixed shape, use the ratio library.
Choose a guide from the decision you need to make
Use the ratio guides when the shape is fixed but the pixel dimensions are not. Use resolution guides when you already have a width and height and need to understand its ratio, megapixels or likely use. The print guides start from physical inches and viewing distance, while the video guides cover delivery frames, cropping and safe placement. Display guides are best when screen density, scaling or viewing distance affects the answer.
If your question starts with “how much will be removed?”, go directly to the crop loss calculator. If it starts with “what size should I export?”, choose the relevant platform or workflow guide first, then verify the result with a calculator.
Verify the result in its real destination
A mathematically correct size can still fail a practical requirement. Social platforms may crop previews differently, printers may add bleed, and video interfaces can cover text near an edge. Treat every table as a planning reference: keep an untouched master, export a copy, and preview that copy in the app, page, device or print service that will receive it.
Each guide states its assumptions and links to related tools. When a platform or manufacturer can change the requirement, follow the cited official source and use the guide to understand the tradeoff—not as a substitute for the destination’s current upload specification.
Guide or calculator?
A guide explains the concept, assumptions and workflow behind a decision. Use one when you need to choose a format or understand why cropping, padding, resolution or display density changes the result. A calculator is faster when you already know the input and need exact numbers.
Use the ratio calculator for width and height, the ratio converter to scale a chosen shape, or the crop loss calculator to compare what fit and fill will preserve.