9:16 Aspect Ratio Calculator
A 9:16 vertical frame is 9 units wide for every 16 tall. A common 9:16 video size is 1080 × 1920 pixels; 720 × 1280 and 1440 × 2560 are exact alternatives. Enter a width or height to calculate a matching size.
Calculate 9:16
What does a 9:16 aspect ratio mean?
A 9:16 frame is nine units wide for every sixteen units high. Its decimal width-to-height value is 0.5625. It is the portrait rotation of 16:9 and fills a conventional phone screen when viewed vertically.
Exact examples include 720 × 1280, 1080 × 1920, 1440 × 2560 and 2160 × 3840. YouTube recommends 9:16 for uploaded Shorts thumbnails, while Meta and TikTok use 9:16 guidance for vertical creative. Always confirm the specific placement before publishing.
How to calculate 9:16 dimensions
Multiply width by 16/9 to find height. Multiply height by 9/16 to find width.
height = width × 16 ÷ 9width = height × 9 ÷ 16Example: 1080 × 16 ÷ 9 = 1920.
Common widths divisible by nine produce whole-number heights. For video delivery, even pixel dimensions are also a practical choice for encoder compatibility.
Reframing landscape video for vertical
A 16:9 source contains much more horizontal area than a 9:16 frame. A simple centered crop can remove the subject, captions or context near either side. Reposition the crop shot by shot, redesign text for the narrower canvas, or place the landscape video inside a vertical background.
Use the converter to see the largest centered crop, then make the creative decision in your editor.
Plan for interface safe areas
Vertical platforms often place captions, usernames and controls near the edges. Keep faces, logos and critical text inside a central safe area instead of relying on every pixel to remain unobstructed. Safe zones vary by platform, placement and interface update, so preview the final post in the publishing tool.
For current platform references, see the social media size guide and its official source links.
Exact 9:16 video sizes
These are portrait pixel dimensions with exactly nine pixels of width for every sixteen of height. 1080 × 1920 px is a practical starting canvas for many vertical videos; a specific platform or placement may request different export settings.
| Portrait canvas | Width × height | When it may help |
|---|---|---|
| HD portrait | 720 × 1280 px | Smaller vertical output |
| Full HD portrait | 1080 × 1920 px | Common short-form video canvas |
| QHD portrait | 1440 × 2560 px | Higher-resolution editing or export |
| UHD portrait | 2160 × 3840 px | High-resolution source or delivery |
These sizes describe shape and pixel count, not an upload requirement or a promise about video quality. Check current placement specifications and safe areas before exporting.
More calculated 9:16 dimensions
The calculator also lists additional widths below. Some heights need rounding to whole pixels and are labeled approximately 9:16; use the exact table above when the output must retain a strict 9:16 ratio.
| Width | Height | Ratio |
|---|
Next steps for 9:16 content
Turning landscape footage into a vertical composition? Measure the source area lost, then use the safe-zone preview to position titles away from interface controls. A 9:16 frame defines shape; placement-specific dimensions and overlays still need checking.
Compare the vertical frame with 16:9 landscape and 4:5 portrait, or calculate export dimensions with the video calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1080 × 1920 exactly 9:16?
Yes. Dividing both values by 120 gives 9:16.
Are 9:16 and 16:9 the same?
They use the same proportions in opposite orientations. 9:16 is vertical; 16:9 is horizontal.
Can I convert a horizontal video to 9:16?
Yes, but you must crop the sides, add background space or recompose the edit. Stretching the video vertically will distort it.
Where should text go in a vertical video?
Keep important text away from the extreme top, bottom and side edges. Platform controls and captions can cover those areas.