Image aspect ratios explained
An aspect ratio is width : height. A ratio below 1 is taller than it is wide, a ratio above 1 is wider than it is tall, and 1:1 is square. The same ratio can describe many pixel sizes.
Common image aspect ratios
Multiply or divide both dimensions by the same number to keep the shape at a different size.
| Ratio | Orientation | Matching pixel dimensions | Crop tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | Square | 1080 × 1080, 1200 × 1200 | Crop to 1:1 or make a photo square |
| 4:5 | Portrait | 800 × 1000, 1080 × 1350 | Crop to 4:5 |
| 3:4 | Portrait | 600 × 800, 1200 × 1600 | Crop to 3:4 |
| 4:3 | Landscape | 800 × 600, 1200 × 900 | Crop to 4:3 |
| 9:16 | Portrait | 720 × 1280, 1080 × 1920 | Crop to 9:16 |
| 16:9 | Landscape | 1280 × 720, 1920 × 1080 | Crop to 16:9 |
| 3:2 | Landscape | 1200 × 800, 1800 × 1200 | Choose in crop tool |
| 2:3 | Portrait | 800 × 1200, 1200 × 1800 | Choose in crop tool |
Cropping changes the frame; resizing changes pixel dimensions
Cropping selects a new visible area and discards what sits outside its frame. Resizing changes the number of output pixels. A crop can therefore change the result dimensions, but it does not promise a chosen width and height.
If you need both a new composition and an exact pixel size, crop to the desired ratio first, then resize. If the source already has the proportions you need, resize it without cropping. See the crop vs resize guide, use the square-image tool, or open the image crop tool and image resize tool. If the image is for an application, start with the form-upload guide.
Is 1080 × 1920 the same shape as 1920 × 1080?
No. Width comes first: 1080 × 1920 is a tall 9:16 portrait canvas, while 1920 × 1080 is a wide 16:9 landscape canvas. Turning a picture by 90 degrees swaps those dimensions, but changing the canvas shape alone does not rotate its contents.
Use 1080 × 1920 for the portrait canvas or 1920 × 1080 for landscape. Fit keeps the complete picture with padding. Crop to fill covers the destination by removing edges.
Does a ratio specify the number of pixels?
A ratio specifies shape. Both 1080 × 1080 and 512 × 512 are 1:1, but they have different pixel dimensions. Check the destination's exact requirements before exporting. You can also keep the full photo and make it square.