Aspect Ratios Explained: Shaping Better Storyboards and Videos

Aspect ratio confused me for years. I couldn’t grasp why it mattered, or what it was. Now I can share what does: aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between width and height, not the actual size of a screen or page. Why is this important? Because, no matter how large or small you scale an image, the width-to-height ratio remains constant, shaping the look and feel of your visuals everywhere—from social feeds to cinema screens.

Like aspect ratios, paper sizes also shape our perceptions. In the U.S., “Letter” and “Legal” have different proportions, not just sizes. When you put them side by side, the difference stands out—just as widescreen video feels unlike classic TV. If you blow up a Letter page to 200%, the ratio—the shape—stays the same. This idea applies everywhere: aspect ratios create distinct identities for visuals, whether on Instagram, YouTube, or Netflix. Once you spot the differences, you’ll see them everywhere.

U.S. Paper Sizes vs Aspect Ratio

Paper sizes differ from aspect ratios.
To convert inches to pixels: Inches × PPI = Pixels, where PPI stands for Pixels Per Inch.

Why Aspect Ratio Matters

Now that you know why ratios matter, let’s clarify how they work in practice. Aspect ratios are simply standardized proportions that define how visuals are framed. Each has its own number label—don’t worry too much about why the numbers look the way they do. What really matters is knowing which ratios your platforms require—Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Netflix, and so on.

• Picking the wrong ratio can lead to awkward cropping or wasted screen space; the right one helps your work look intentionally designed for the platform.

StoryBoom Aspect Ratio Options

Our app performs a switching ratios effortless, offering:

• Landscape (16:9) Most popular for HD video, YouTube, and widescreen display.
• Portrait (9:16) Tailored for Stories, Reels, TikTok, and mobile-first vertical content.
• Square (1:1) A favorite for Instagram and social grids.
• Social (4:5) Performs well in Instagram Feeds.
• TV (4:3) Evokes retro and documentary styles.
• Widescreen (1.85:1) Used for feature film framing.
• Anamorphic (2.40:1) Delivers an ultra-wide cinematic look.

In today’s responsive design era, these ratios can also be represented by pixel dimensions. But whether it’s pixels or proportions, the principle stays the same.

Common Aspect Ratios with Pixel Dimensions

Whether it’s square profiles or widescreen films, these dimensions are your key to professional, platform-ready storyboards.

Choosing the Right Ratio

Why so many aspect ratios? Because one size doesn’t fit all.

16:9 Landscape

• The standard: Over 90% of online video is viewed in this format.
• Why so common? It became the broadcast HDTV standard in the early 2000s and is now the default for YouTube, streaming platforms, and most video cameras.
• Use case: Great for tutorials, vlogs, interviews, and any content meant to look natural on laptops, TVs, and monitors.

2.40:1 Anamorphic

• The cinematic look: This ultra-wide format, sometimes 2.35:1 or 2.39:1 (often rounded to 2.40:1) depending on the standard, is used in most big-budget films. Think of movies like Dune or Avengers—they feel expansive because of this wide canvas.
• Adoption: More than 70% of Hollywood films in the last two decades use some variation of this aspect ratio.
• Use case: Perfect when you want to evoke an epic, immersive mood—often for trailers, short films, or brand spots with a “movie” feel.

9:16 Portrait

• The vertical revolution: With over 5 billion smartphone users worldwide, vertical video has become unavoidable. TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Snapchat all rely on this ratio.
• Engagement: Studies show vertical videos are watched 90% more often to completion on mobile compared to horizontal ones.
• Use case: Ideal for short-form content, ads, and anything designed to be scrolled through on social feeds.

When you’re building a storyboard in StoryBoom, you can switch the frame size at any time. The images themselves are never distorted—only the frame changes. This makes it easy to test different formats or adapt your storyboard for multiple platforms.

Aspect Ratio Comparison Table with Resolutions

Aspect Ratio	Dimensions	Typical Resolution	Common Use Cases
16:9	Landscape	1920×1080, 3840×2160	YouTube, HD video, modern TVs*
9:16	Portrait	1080×1920, 2160×3840	TikTok, Instagram Reels & Stories
1:1	Square	1080×1080	Instagram posts, profile pics
4:5	Social	1080×1350	Instagram feed, Pinterest
4:3	TV	1024×768, 1440×1080	Classic television, retro video
1.85:1	Widescreen	1920×1038, 3840×2076	Modern cinema, theatrical releases
2.40:1	Anamorphic	3840×1600	Blockbuster films, big screen

*Landscape common resolutions:
1280×720 (HD), 1920×1080 (Full HD), 2560×1440 (QHD), 3840×2160 (4K UHD)

Tips for Creatives

Making the Most with StoryBoom

Storyboard planning is exactly when you should decide where your video will live. The right ratio isn’t just technical—it’s creative. It helps your project feel native to its platform and intentional in its storytelling. Select your format, adjust any time, and keep your vision platform-perfect—StoryBoom adapts so your creative process doesn’t have to compromise.

I hope this clears up the puzzle of aspect ratios. If you have questions or feedback, feel free to reach out—we’d love to hear from you.

---

---

Stay connected—follow StoryBoom on X or LinkedIn

Back to Blog