9:16 vs 16:9 Video Aspect Ratio Differences & How to Change  

Here are the key differences between 9:16 and 16:9 video aspect ratios.

What Is 9:16 vs 16:9 Video Aspect Ratio?

A video aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between its width and height. In video production and display technology, different aspect ratios are used to adapt to the needs of different display devices and viewers.

The aspect ratio is important because it affects the composition of our video and how it appears on the screen. Common video aspect ratios include 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 1:1, 21:9, etc. Here in this article, we will focus on 9:16 and 16:9.

Aspect Ratio 16:9 vs 4:3: Which Is Better for Videos and Photos?

What is the aspect ratio 16:9 vs 4:3? What is the difference between the aspect ratio 16:9 and 4:3? When are these two aspect ratios used for videos and photos?

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What Is 9:16 Aspect Ratio?

A 9:16 aspect ratio is the common format for vertical (portrait) videos usually in 1080 x 1920 pixels. Those videos are widely used on TikTok, Instagram Reels and Stories, Facebook Stories, and Snapchat. The most typical dimensions for a 9:16 aspect ratio include:

• 2160 x 3840 pixels, usually considered as a ratio of ultra-high definition (UHD) 4K.
• 1440 x 2560 pixels, also known as 2K resolution.
• 1080 x 1920 pixels, which is the most common full HD resolution.
• 720 x 1280 pixels, also known as 720p high-definition (HD) resolution.

What Is 16:9 Aspect Ratio?

16: 9 is the most popular and common aspect ratio for widescreen videos usually in 1920 x 1080 pixels. 16:9 is based on ergonomic research, which found that the field of view of two human eyes is a rectangle with an aspect ratio of 16:9. Therefore, it has become the default standard for high-definition TV shows, digital videos, and movies of 1080p, 2160p, and 4320p.

Featuring cost savings, high image quality, and sharp resolution, most DSLR cameras, camcorders, and mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones record in 16:9 by default when recording landscape videos. The TV and monitor industries design products based on this golden ratio size to provide a more comfortable viewing experience.

How to Choose Between 9:16 and 16:9 Aspect Ratio?

9:16 is vertical video aspect ratio better for watching TikTok, Shorts, Reels, and stories on smart phones. 16:9 is horizontal video aspect better for watching normal videos, shows, or movies on desktops, TVs, and movie screens.

Choosing the appropriate aspect ratio depends on the creative needs and compatibility of the target device or viewing platform. Therefore, understanding the device and viewing habits of the target audience is crucial for selecting the appropriate video aspect ratio.

The main difference between 16:9 and 9:16 is that one is the horizontal ratio and the other is the vertical ratio. To watch a video on a smartphone or post it on some social media platforms like TikTok, 9:16 is a better choice.

If you need to create video content that leans more towards everyday natural sensations, or plan to watch it on a computer monitor, a 16:9 ratio is more appropriate.

How to Convert Video to 9:16 or 16:9?

The quick steps for changing video aspect ratio:

1. Download, install, and launch a video editor.
2. Add the target video to the video editor.
3. Set the video aspect ratio to your desired option, 16:9 or 9:16.
4. Preview and export the video.

Sometimes, we may need to convert a video with a 16:9 aspect ratio to 9:16 before sharing it on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, Instagram Stories, etc. How to change the aspect ratio of a video? We need a video aspect ratio converter like MiniTool MovieMaker.

I have been using MiniTool MovieMaker for a long time and it is a good assistant for my video editing work. Next, I will show you how to change the video aspect ratio with MiniTool MovieMaker.

Change Video Aspect Ratio with the Ratio Function

Step 1. Get MiniTool MovieMaker.

Download MiniTool MovieMaker and install it on the PC.

MiniTool MovieMakerClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Step 2. Preset video aspect ratio.

Launch this video editor and its promotion window will pop up. There, the video aspect ratio can be preset and the default option is 16:9 . To change it, expand the drop-down list and choose 9:16 or another option.

Close the promotion window to enter the software main interface. You can also change the ratio during video editing.

Step 3. Import the target video.

Click the Import Media Files option to import the target video. Then, add it to the timeline.

Step 4. Reset video aspect ratio.

To change the aspect ratio of the video project, expand the aspect ratio option list under the preview window and choose from 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, and 1:1.

For instance, to make the video be compatible with YouTube Shorts, select the 9:16 option from the list.

Step 5. Export the target video.

Continue to edit the video if needed. Once done, click the Export option in the upper right, customize output settings (including format, resolution, frame rate, bitrate, etc.), and click Export again to export the video.

Change Video Aspect Ratio with the Crop Feature

Another way to alter video aspect ratio is to crop its size, but it will cut out part of the content.

Click on the target video on the timeline to highlight it. Then, click the crop icon on the timeline toolbar. In the pop-up Crop window, expand the Ratio dropdown and select a target dimension. Next, drag the frame in the player window to locate the content you’d like to keep.

There is a Crop tool that maintains the aspect ratio of your canvas, making it more like a zoom, with no empty space in the resulting video.https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/minitool-moviemaker

Conclusion

9:16 and 16:9 are the two dominant video aspect ratios, especially for social media and online streaming platforms. A 9:16 aspect ratio is a 90-degree flip of 16:9. You should choose the appropriate aspect ratio based on your target viewing platform or device for a better viewing experience.

Finally, if you encounter problems using MiniTool MovieMaker or have any feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact [email protected].

9:16 vs 16:9 FAQ