Video Aspect Ratio Guide: Every Size You Need (2026)
By the Maybe Lab teamThe right video aspect ratio depends entirely on where it plays: 16:9 for YouTube and landing pages, 9:16 for Reels, TikTok, and Shorts, 1:1 or 4:5 for feed posts. Use the wrong one and your video gets letterboxed, cropped, or ignored. Here's the full reference, plus the exact pixel dimensions for each.
Aspect ratios at a glance
| Ratio | Shape | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 16:9 | Landscape | YouTube, landing pages, embeds |
| 9:16 | Vertical | Reels, TikTok, Shorts, Stories |
| 1:1 | Square | Feed posts (space-efficient) |
| 4:5 | Portrait | Instagram/Facebook feed (max real estate) |
| 1.91:1 | Wide landscape | Link previews, most feed ads |
Exact dimensions by platform
| Platform / placement | Ratio | Pixels |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 16:9 | 1920×1080 |
| Instagram Reels / TikTok / Shorts | 9:16 | 1080×1920 |
| Instagram feed (portrait) | 4:5 | 1080×1350 |
| Square feed post | 1:1 | 1080×1080 |
| X / Twitter video | 16:9 | 1280×720 |
| LinkedIn feed | 1:1 or 16:9 | 1080×1080 / 1920×1080 |
For the vertical formats specifically — safe zones, caption placement, and length — see vertical video specs. For launch-specific slots, see Product Hunt and App Store preview specs.
Which aspect ratio should you use?
- Publishing to a feed people scroll on their phone? Go vertical (9:16) or portrait (4:5).
- Landing page, YouTube, or an embed? Landscape (16:9).
- Want one post that works across feeds? Square (1:1) is the safe middle.
- Running ads? Check the platform's spec — most prefer 4:5 or 9:16 now.
Make one master, export every ratio
The mistake is producing each ratio separately. Build one master video, then reframe it for each placement so the important content stays in the safe zone — the workflow in one video, ten clips. With a prompt-first generator, every aspect ratio exports from the same project in a click.
Aspect ratio FAQ
What is the best aspect ratio for social media video?
9:16 (vertical) for Reels, TikTok, Shorts, and Stories; 4:5 or 1:1 for in-feed posts; 16:9 for YouTube. Match the ratio to where the video will play.
What aspect ratio is 1080×1920?
9:16 — full-screen vertical, the standard for Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Stories.
Should a landing page video be 16:9 or vertical?
16:9 (landscape) for most desktop landing pages; consider a vertical or square cut if most of your traffic is mobile.
Can I reuse one video across different aspect ratios?
Yes — build one master and reframe it per platform, keeping key content centered. AI tools can export every ratio from a single project automatically.
Aspect ratio is a solved problem when you stop treating each format as a new job. Describe your video once, and Maybe Lab exports 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, and 4:5 from the same project.
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