Video Aspect Ratios and Export Resolutions: The Complete Guide (2026)
A filmmaker's cheat sheet for every aspect ratio, resolution, and platform, from social media to cinema DCP.
Whether you're exporting a YouTube video, formatting Instagram Reels, or delivering a DCP for theatrical distribution, getting the right aspect ratio and pixel resolution is essential. The wrong export settings mean black bars, unwanted cropping, or rejected deliverables.
This guide covers every common aspect ratio with exact pixel dimensions at every resolution tier, from 720p through to 8K and cinema DCP containers.
What Is a Video Aspect Ratio?
An aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between a video's width and height. It's written as two numbers separated by a colon, for example 16:9 or 2.39:1. The aspect ratio defines the shape of your frame, while the resolution defines how many pixels fill that shape.
Two videos can share the same aspect ratio but have completely different resolutions. A 1920x1080 video and a 3840x2160 video are both 16:9, but the second has four times the pixel count.
Which Aspect Ratio Should I Use?
The right choice depends on where your video will be watched. Here's a quick-reference breakdown.
Best Aspect Ratios by Platform
| Platform | Best Aspect Ratio | Resolution | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube (standard) | 16:9 | 1920x1080 or 3840x2160 | Long-form, tutorials, vlogs |
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 | 1080x1920 | Short-form vertical |
| Instagram Reels | 9:16 | 1080x1920 | Vertical video |
| Instagram Feed | 4:5 | 1080x1350 | In-feed posts |
| Instagram Stories | 9:16 | 1080x1920 | Vertical stories |
| TikTok | 9:16 | 1080x1920 | All TikTok content |
| Facebook Feed | 16:9 to 9:16 | 1920x1080 or 1080x1920 | Feed and ads |
| Facebook Reels | 9:16 | 1080x1920 | Vertical reels |
| 16:9 or 1:1 | 1920x1080 or 1080x1080 | Professional content | |
| X (Twitter) | 16:9 | 1920x1080 | Landscape video |
| 2:3 | 1000x1500 | Standard video pins | |
| Cinema (Flat) | 1.85:1 | 3996x2160 (DCP 4K) | Theatrical distribution |
| Cinema (Scope) | 2.39:1 | 4096x1716 (DCP 4K) | Theatrical widescreen |
Common Aspect Ratios Explained
16:9 (1.78:1) - The Universal Standard
The 16:9 widescreen format is the default for most video content in 2026. It matches the native shape of HD and 4K television screens, computer monitors, and YouTube's player. If you're unsure which ratio to use, 16:9 is the safest starting point for landscape video.
Common resolutions: 1280x720 (720p), 1920x1080 (1080p), 2560x1440 (1440p), 3840x2160 (4K UHD), 7680x4320 (8K UHD)
9:16 - Vertical Video
The portrait-orientation flip of 16:9, designed for mobile-first viewing. This is the required format for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and most story formats. If you're producing social content in 2026, 9:16 at 1080x1920 is the single most important export size to know.
4:5 (0.80:1) - Instagram Portrait
Taller than 16:9 but not fully vertical, 4:5 takes up maximum screen space in the Instagram feed without requiring a full vertical shoot. It's a strong compromise format for feed posts.
1:1 - Square
Square video works well on Instagram feeds and LinkedIn. It takes up more screen space than 16:9 in a mobile feed and displays consistently across devices.
4:3 (1.33:1) - Classic Television
The original television standard. Still used in surveillance footage, some educational content, and when repurposing archival material.
2.39:1 - Anamorphic Widescreen (Cinema Scope)
The cinematic widescreen ratio used in theatrical film. If you want your video to feel like a Hollywood feature, this is the ratio that gives you those signature letterbox bars on a 16:9 screen. Also commonly labelled as 2.35:1 or 2.40:1, depending on the era and standard.
1.85:1 - Cinema Flat
The other major cinema standard. Slightly wider than 16:9, it's used for non-scope theatrical presentations and is one of the two standard DCP containers.
Video Export Resolution Cheat Sheets
Below are the exact pixel dimensions for every common aspect ratio at each resolution tier. These are the numbers you type into your export settings in DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or any NLE.
1080p (Full HD) Export Resolutions
| Aspect Ratio | Resolution (px) |
|---|---|
| 4:5 (0.80) | 864 x 1080 |
| 5:4 (1.25) | 1350 x 1080 |
| 4:3 (1.33) | 1440 x 1080 |
| 5:3 (1.66) | 1800 x 1080 |
| 16:9 (1.78) | 1920 x 1080 |
| 1.85:1 | 1920 x 1038 |
| 1.90:1 | 1920 x 1011 |
| 2.00:1 | 1920 x 960 |
| 2.35:1 | 1920 x 817 |
| 2.37:1 | 1920 x 810 |
| 2.39:1 | 1920 x 803 |
| 2.40:1 | 1920 x 800 |
| 2.44:1 | 1920 x 787 |
4K UHD (2160p) Export Resolutions
| Aspect Ratio | Resolution (px) |
|---|---|
| 4:5 (0.80) | 1728 x 2160 |
| 5:4 (1.25) | 2700 x 2160 |
| 4:3 (1.33) | 2880 x 2160 |
| 5:3 (1.66) | 3600 x 2160 |
| 16:9 (1.78) | 3840 x 2160 |
| 1.85:1 | 3840 x 2076 |
| 1.90:1 | 3840 x 2021 |
| 2.00:1 | 3840 x 1920 |
| 2.35:1 | 3840 x 1632 |
| 2.37:1 | 3840 x 1620 |
| 2.39:1 | 3840 x 1608 |
| 2.40:1 | 3840 x 1600 |
| 2.44:1 | 3840 x 1574 |
8K UHD (4320p) Export Resolutions
| Aspect Ratio | Resolution (px) |
|---|---|
| 4:5 (0.80) | 3456 x 4320 |
| 5:4 (1.25) | 5400 x 4320 |
| 4:3 (1.33) | 5760 x 4320 |
| 5:3 (1.66) | 7200 x 4320 |
| 16:9 (1.78) | 7680 x 4320 |
| 1.85:1 | 7680 x 4152 |
| 1.90:1 | 7680 x 4042 |
| 2.00:1 | 7680 x 3840 |
| 2.35:1 | 7680 x 3264 |
| 2.37:1 | 7680 x 3240 |
| 2.39:1 | 7680 x 3216 |
| 2.40:1 | 7680 x 3200 |
| 2.44:1 | 7680 x 3148 |
Vertical and Square Formats
| Aspect Ratio | 1080p | 4K UHD | 8K UHD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:16 (Vertical) | 1080 x 1920 | 2160 x 3840 | 4320 x 7680 |
| 4:5 (Portrait) | 864 x 1080 | 1728 x 2160 | 3456 x 4320 |
| 2:3 (Portrait) | 720 x 1080 | 1440 x 2160 | 2880 x 4320 |
| 1:1 (Square) | 1080 x 1080 | 2160 x 2160 | 4320 x 4320 |
Cinema and DCP Aspect Ratios
If you're delivering for theatrical screenings or film festivals, you'll be working with DCP (Digital Cinema Package) containers rather than standard broadcast resolutions. Cinema uses a different pixel base, typically 2K (2048-wide) or 4K (4096-wide), not to be confused with 4K UHD (3840-wide).
DCP Container Resolutions
| Format | Aspect Ratio | Resolution (px) |
|---|---|---|
| DCP 2K Flat | 1.85:1 | 1998 x 1080 |
| DCP 2K Scope | 2.39:1 | 2048 x 858 |
| DCP 2K Full Container | 1.90:1 | 2048 x 1080 |
| DCP 4K Flat | 1.85:1 | 3996 x 2160 |
| DCP 4K Scope | 2.39:1 | 4096 x 1716 |
| DCP 4K Full Container | 1.90:1 | 4096 x 2160 |
Cinema 2K Resolutions (2048-base)
| Aspect Ratio | Resolution (px) |
|---|---|
| 4:5 (0.80) | 922 x 1152 |
| 5:4 (1.25) | 1440 x 1152 |
| 4:3 (1.33) | 1536 x 1152 |
| 5:3 (1.66) | 1920 x 1152 |
| 16:9 (1.78) | 2048 x 1152 |
| 1.85:1 | 2048 x 1106 |
| 1.90:1 | 2048 x 1078 |
| 2.00:1 | 2048 x 1024 |
| 2.35:1 | 2048 x 870 |
| 2.37:1 | 2048 x 864 |
| 2.39:1 | 2048 x 858 |
| 2.40:1 | 2048 x 852 |
| 2.44:1 | 2048 x 838 |
Cinema 3K Resolutions (3072-base)
| Aspect Ratio | Resolution (px) |
|---|---|
| 4:5 (0.80) | 1382 x 1728 |
| 5:4 (1.25) | 2160 x 1728 |
| 4:3 (1.33) | 2304 x 1728 |
| 5:3 (1.66) | 2880 x 1728 |
| 16:9 (1.78) | 3072 x 1728 |
| 1.85:1 | 3072 x 1660 |
| 1.90:1 | 3072 x 1620 |
| 2.00:1 | 3072 x 1536 |
| 2.35:1 | 3072 x 1306 |
| 2.37:1 | 3072 x 1296 |
| 2.39:1 | 3072 x 1284 |
| 2.40:1 | 3072 x 1280 |
| 2.44:1 | 3072 x 1259 |
Cinema 4K Resolutions (4096-base)
| Aspect Ratio | Resolution (px) |
|---|---|
| 4:5 (0.80) | 1842 x 2304 |
| 5:4 (1.25) | 2880 x 2304 |
| 4:3 (1.33) | 3072 x 2304 |
| 5:3 (1.66) | 3840 x 2304 |
| 16:9 (1.78) | 4096 x 2304 |
| 1.85:1 | 4096 x 2214 |
| 1.90:1 | 4096 x 2160 |
| 2.00:1 | 4096 x 2048 |
| 2.35:1 | 4096 x 1742 |
| 2.37:1 | 4096 x 1728 |
| 2.39:1 | 4096 x 1714 |
| 2.40:1 | 4096 x 1706 |
| 2.44:1 | 4096 x 1678 |
Cinema 5K Resolutions (5120-base)
| Aspect Ratio | Resolution (px) |
|---|---|
| 4:5 (0.80) | 2304 x 2880 |
| 5:4 (1.25) | 3600 x 2880 |
| 4:3 (1.33) | 3840 x 2880 |
| 5:3 (1.66) | 4800 x 2880 |
| 16:9 (1.78) | 5120 x 2880 |
| 1.85:1 | 5120 x 2768 |
| 1.90:1 | 5120 x 2700 |
| 2.00:1 | 5120 x 2560 |
| 2.35:1 | 5120 x 2178 |
| 2.37:1 | 5120 x 2160 |
| 2.39:1 | 5120 x 2142 |
| 2.40:1 | 5120 x 2136 |
| 2.44:1 | 5120 x 2098 |
Cinema 6K Resolutions (6144-base)
| Aspect Ratio | Resolution (px) |
|---|---|
| 4:5 (0.80) | 2764 x 3456 |
| 5:4 (1.25) | 4320 x 3456 |
| 4:3 (1.33) | 4608 x 3456 |
| 5:3 (1.66) | 5760 x 3456 |
| 16:9 (1.78) | 6144 x 3456 |
| 1.85:1 | 6144 x 3320 |
| 1.90:1 | 6144 x 3234 |
| 2.00:1 | 6144 x 3072 |
| 2.35:1 | 6144 x 2614 |
| 2.37:1 | 6144 x 2592 |
| 2.39:1 | 6144 x 2570 |
| 2.40:1 | 6144 x 2560 |
| 2.44:1 | 6144 x 2518 |
Cinema 8K Resolutions (8192-base)
| Aspect Ratio | Resolution (px) |
|---|---|
| 4:5 (0.80) | 3686 x 4608 |
| 5:4 (1.25) | 5760 x 4608 |
| 4:3 (1.33) | 6144 x 4608 |
| 5:3 (1.66) | 7680 x 4608 |
| 16:9 (1.78) | 8192 x 4608 |
| 1.85:1 | 8192 x 4428 |
| 1.90:1 | 8192 x 4320 |
| 2.00:1 | 8192 x 4096 |
| 2.35:1 | 8192 x 3486 |
| 2.37:1 | 8192 x 3456 |
| 2.39:1 | 8192 x 3428 |
| 2.40:1 | 8192 x 3413 |
| 2.44:1 | 8192 x 3356 |
What's the Difference Between 4K UHD and Cinema 4K?
This is one of the most common sources of confusion in video production. They are not the same thing.
4K UHD (Ultra High Definition) has a base width of 3840 pixels and is the standard used by consumer televisions, streaming platforms, and YouTube. A 16:9 video at 4K UHD is 3840x2160.
Cinema 4K (also called DCI 4K or True 4K) has a base width of 4096 pixels and is the standard used in theatrical film production and DCP delivery. A 16:9 video at Cinema 4K is 4096x2304.
The difference matters when you're setting up your timeline in your editing software. If your deliverable is for YouTube or broadcast, use the UHD numbers. If you're delivering a DCP for cinema, use the Cinema/DCI numbers.
How to Choose the Right Export Resolution
A few practical rules of thumb for filmmakers and editors:
Always export at the resolution you shot in, or higher. Upscaling from 1080p to 4K can actually improve perceived quality on YouTube, because the platform allocates a higher bitrate to 4K uploads, even if the underlying footage is 1080p.
For social media, 1080p is the sweet spot. Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook all compress your upload regardless. Uploading 4K to these platforms rarely produces a visible improvement and significantly increases upload time.
For YouTube, export at 4K if you can. YouTube's compression is more aggressive at 1080p. A 4K upload will look noticeably cleaner after re-encoding, even if your viewers are watching at 1080p.
Use MP4 with H.264 encoding and AAC audio as your default export codec for all social and web platforms. It's the universally accepted format with the best balance of quality and file size.
For cinema DCP, you'll need JPEG2000 in an MXF container, not H.264. DCP creation requires specialist software like DaVinci Resolve's built-in DCP tools, DCP-o-matic, or EasyDCP.
Recommended Export Settings by Platform
| Platform | Resolution | Aspect Ratio | Codec | Frame Rate | Bitrate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 3840x2160 | 16:9 | H.264 / MP4 | 24-60fps | 35-45 Mbps (4K) |
| YouTube Shorts | 1080x1920 | 9:16 | H.264 / MP4 | 30fps | 5-8 Mbps |
| Instagram Reels | 1080x1920 | 9:16 | H.264 / MP4 | 30fps | 5-8 Mbps |
| Instagram Feed | 1080x1350 | 4:5 | H.264 / MP4 | 30fps | 5-8 Mbps |
| TikTok | 1080x1920 | 9:16 | H.264 / MP4 | 30fps | 5-8 Mbps |
| 1920x1080 | 16:9 | H.264 / MP4 | 30fps | 8-12 Mbps | |
| 1920x1080 | 16:9 | H.264 / MP4 | 30fps | 8-12 Mbps | |
| X (Twitter) | 1920x1080 | 16:9 | H.264 / MP4 | 30fps | 8-12 Mbps |
| Cinema DCP 2K | 1998x1080 | 1.85 Flat | JPEG2000 / MXF | 24fps | 250 Mbps |
| Cinema DCP 4K | 3996x2160 | 1.85 Flat | JPEG2000 / MXF | 24fps | 250 Mbps |
About This Guide
This cheat sheet is maintained by Singularity Film, a video production company based in Gloucestershire, UK. We produce cinematic brand films, documentary content, and YouTube strategy for outdoor, lifestyle, and property brands.
If you found this guide useful and need a production partner who actually understands the technical side of filmmaking, get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What aspect ratio is 1920x1080?
1920x1080 is a 16:9 aspect ratio, commonly known as Full HD or 1080p. It's the most widely used resolution for web video, YouTube, and broadcast television.
What resolution is 4K?
There are two standards. 4K UHD is 3840x2160 pixels (used for consumer displays, streaming, and YouTube). Cinema 4K (DCI) is 4096x2160 pixels in a full container, or 4096x1716 for a 2.39:1 scope presentation. Always check which standard your project requires.
What's the best aspect ratio for Instagram?
For Reels and Stories, use 9:16 at 1080x1920. For feed posts, 4:5 at 1080x1350 takes up the most screen space and tends to perform best. Square 1:1 at 1080x1080 also works well for feed content.
What's the best aspect ratio for TikTok?
9:16 at 1080x1920. TikTok's algorithm prioritises vertical video, and any other format will display with black bars or reduced visibility.
What resolution should I export for YouTube?
Export at the highest resolution your footage supports, ideally 3840x2160 (4K) in 16:9. YouTube allocates better compression to 4K uploads, so even if your source footage is 1080p, upscaling to 4K before upload can improve playback quality.
What's the difference between 2.35, 2.39, and 2.40 aspect ratios?
These are all variations of anamorphic widescreen used in cinema. 2.35:1 was the original CinemaScope standard. 2.39:1(sometimes rounded to 2.40:1) is the modern anamorphic standard used in most contemporary films. In practice, the visual difference between them is negligible, just a few pixels of height, but the correct number matters when setting up your DCP or conforming to a post-house specification.
What pixel resolution do I need for a 2.39:1 cinematic look at 1080p?
1920x803. You set your timeline to 1920x1080 and add the 2.39:1 crop using letterbox bars (or set the timeline itself to 1920x803 if you want a clean export without embedded bars).
Should I export with letterbox bars or a custom resolution?
It depends on the deliverable. For YouTube, export at your full 16:9 resolution with the letterbox bars baked in, as this prevents the player from adding its own padding. For cinema DCP, you deliver the active image area at the correct resolution without bars, because the projector handles the masking.
What frame rate should I use?
24fps gives a cinematic feel and is the standard for film. 25fps is the PAL broadcast standard (UK and Europe). 30fps is the safe default for social media. 60fps is best for sports, action, and gaming content where smooth motion matters.
