How to use this preset
- Add your image; the 16:9 frame is preset.
- Tap 9:16, 1:1, 4:5 or 4:3 if you need a different shape.
- Drag the frame over the part you want to keep and press Crop.
- For exact pixels (for example 1920 x 1080), open the result in the resizer.
16:9: widescreen, 1920 x 1080
16:9 is the shape of TVs, laptop screens, YouTube videos and most presentation slides. Full HD is 1920 x 1080 pixels, and 1280 x 720 is the lighter HD version. A typical 4:3 phone photo loses a strip from the top and bottom, so drag the frame to keep heads in view. YouTube thumbnails are 16:9 too; the YouTube thumbnail preset also sets the size limit.
9:16: full-screen vertical, 1080 x 1920
9:16 is a phone held upright: Instagram Stories, Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Going from a horizontal photo to 9:16 keeps only a narrow middle slice, so it works best with a single subject. Keep text away from the top and bottom edges, where app buttons and captions sit. After cropping, set 1080 x 1920 in the resizer.
1:1 and 4:5 for feeds
A square (1:1) fits profile pictures, marketplaces and feed posts; a 4:5 portrait shows larger in the Instagram feed. See resize image to square and resize for Instagram for one-step presets.
Without cropping
To change the ratio without cutting anything you have two choices: stretch it with the image stretcher, which distorts, or add borders in a design app. On iPhone, the Photos app's Crop tool has an aspect button for the same job, but this page lets you type exact pixels.
What aspect ratio means
Aspect ratio is the shape of an image, written as width to height. A 16:9 image is about 1.78 times wider than it is tall, like a TV or YouTube video. 4:3 is the shape of many camera photos and tablets, 1:1 is a square, 4:5 is a tall portrait used in social feeds, and 9:16 is a full phone screen for stories, reels and TikTok.
Change ratio without stretching
There are two ways to change the shape of an image. Stretching squeezes the pixels and distorts faces and circles. Cropping removes a strip from the sides or top and bottom, keeping everything in proportion. This page crops, so people and products always look natural. If you really want the stretched look, use the image stretcher instead.
Choosing what to keep
When going from a wide to a narrow ratio, you lose the sides, so drag the frame to keep the subject. Going from tall to wide loses the top and bottom. Follow the rule of thirds: placing the subject slightly off-center often looks better than dead center, especially in 16:9 banners where you may want room for text.
Exact pixel control
If you need an exact result, type the width and height into the crop boxes while a ratio is selected; the other value follows the ratio automatically. For example, choose 16:9 and type 1920 as the width to get a 1920 x 1080 crop if the photo is large enough. You can also switch to Free mode and type any custom dimensions, such as 3:1 for banners, by entering matching numbers.
Frequently asked questions
What ratio is 1920 x 1080?
16:9.
What ratio is best for Instagram?
4:5 for portrait posts, 1:1 for square, 9:16 for stories.
Can I use a custom ratio like 3:2?
Choose Free and type matching width and height values, for example 1500 x 1000.
What size is 16:9 and 9:16?
16:9 is 1920 x 1080 (or 1280 x 720). 9:16 is the same turned upright: 1080 x 1920.
Can I change the aspect ratio on Instagram?
Instagram lets you choose 1:1, 4:5 or the original shape while posting, but it crops in the app. Cropping here first lets you choose exactly what stays.
Can I change the aspect ratio on iPhone?
Yes, in Photos tap Edit, Crop and the aspect button. Use this page when you need exact pixel sizes.