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Look up aspect ratio in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

The aspect ratio of a shape is the ratio of its longer dimension to its shorter dimension. It may be applied to two characteristic dimensions of a three-dimensional shape, such as the ratio of the longest and shortest axis, or for symmetrical objects that are described by just two measurements, such as the length and diameter of a rod. The aspect ratio of a torus is the ratio of the major axis R to the minor axis r.

[edit] Applications and uses

The term is most commonly used with reference to:

• graphic / image
  • image aspect ratio
  • computer display standard
  • paper size
  • standard photographic print sizes
  • standard ad size
  • pixel aspect ratio
• tire code
• tire sizing
• wing aspect ratio of an aircraft or bird
• Astigmatism of an optical lens

[edit] Examples

From left to right:

• 1.3 = 4:3: Some (not all) computer monitors (VGA, XGA, etc), SDTV
• 1.414… = √2:1: Silver ratio, International paper sizes (ISO 216)
• 1.5 = 3:2: 35 mm film
• 1.618…: Golden ratio, close to 16:10 = 8:5: Widescreen computer monitors (WXGA, etc.)
• 1.6 = 5:3: Super 16 mm, a standard frame ratio among many European countries
• 1.7 = 16:9: HDTV

[edit] See also

• Ratio
• Equidimensional ratios in 3D
• Vertical orientation

v • d • e Motion Picture Film Formats Film gauges 8 mm · 9.5 mm · 16 mm · 35 mm · 70 mm Film formats 35 mm: CinemaScope (1953) · VistaVision (1954) · Modern anamorphic (1957) · Super 35 (1982) 70 mm: Todd-AO (1953) · IMAX (1970) 35 mm x 3 strips: Cinerama (1952) · Kinopanorama (1958) · Cinemiracle (1958) Video aspect ratio standards 4:3 · 16:9 · 14:9 Video framing issues Widescreen · Anamorphic widescreen · Letterbox · Fullscreen or Pan and scan · Open matte · Shoot and protect Portal:Film