How to Use Our Screen Ratio Calculator
You only need one piece of information to use this tool: the resolution of the screen or image. This is measured in pixels.
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Screen Width: Enter the number of horizontal pixels. For a Full HD monitor, this would be 1920.
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Screen Height: Enter the number of vertical pixels. For a Full HD monitor, this would be 1080.
Understanding Your Results
The calculator provides the aspect ratio, which is the proportional relationship between the width and height of a screen. It tells you how wide a screen is for every certain number of units in height.
For example, the most common aspect ratio, 16:9, means that for every 16 units of width, there are 9 units of height. This is the standard for HDTVs, modern monitors, and most online video content.
How the Calculation Works
The calculator finds the aspect ratio by taking the width and height and finding the greatest common divisor (GCD) to simplify the fraction. For a 1920×1080 resolution:
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The ratio is written as a fraction: 1920/1080
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The calculator finds the largest number that divides into both, which is 120.
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It divides both numbers by the GCD:
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The simplified result is 16:9.
Common Screen Resolutions and Aspect Ratios
Different devices use different ratios for specific purposes. Here’s a chart of the most common ones you’ll encounter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Screen Ratios
How do I find my screen’s resolution?
Finding your screen’s resolution is simple.
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On Windows 11/10: Right-click on your desktop > select Display settings. Your resolution will be listed under “Display resolution.”
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On macOS: Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner > About This Mac > Displays tab. It will show your screen’s resolution.
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On a TV: The best way is to look up your TV’s model number online. The resolution will be in the technical specifications.
What’s the difference between 16:9 and 16:10?
The only difference is the height. A 16:10 screen is slightly taller than a 16:9 screen of the same width. This provides about 11% more vertical screen space.
Many people who work with documents or code prefer 16:10 because the extra height reduces the need for scrolling.
Why do movies have black bars on my TV?
This happens when the movie’s aspect ratio is wider than your screen’s 16:9 ratio. Most blockbuster films are shot in a “cinematic” aspect ratio, often 21:9 (or 2.35:1). When you play this very wide movie on your 16:9 TV, your TV adds black bars to the top and bottom to fill the empty space without stretching or cropping the image. This is called letterboxing.
What is an ultrawide (21:9) monitor?
An ultrawide monitor has a 21:9 or even wider (32:9) aspect ratio. These monitors offer a huge amount of horizontal space.
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For Gaming: They provide an incredibly immersive experience by expanding your peripheral vision (horizontal Field of View).
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For Productivity: They are excellent for multitasking, as you can have two or three full-sized application windows open side-by-side without needing a second monitor.
How does screen ratio affect gaming?
Screen ratio directly impacts your Field of View (FOV). A wider aspect ratio like 21:9 gives you a wider horizontal FOV in most games, meaning you can see more to your left and right. A taller ratio like 16:10 might give you a slightly larger vertical FOV. For competitive games like first-person shooters, many players prefer an ultrawide monitor for the strategic advantage of seeing opponents in their periphery.
Can I change my screen’s aspect ratio?
You can’t change the physical aspect ratio of your monitor, but you can change how your computer sends a signal to it. In your graphics card settings (NVIDIA Control Panel, AMD Software), you can choose scaling options. For example, you could force a 4:3 resolution to display on your 16:9 monitor with black bars on the sides (“pillarboxing”) instead of stretching it to fill the screen. This is popular among retro gamers or competitive players of older titles.
What is the history of screen ratios?
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4:3: For most of the 20th century, this was the standard for both movies and television because it was the ratio of 35mm film.
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16:9: In the late 1990s and 2000s, this ratio was chosen as the compromise standard for high-definition television (HDTV). It was wide enough for a more cinematic feel but not so wide that it was impractical.
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21:9 and wider: With the rise of PC gaming and multitasking, ultrawide monitors became popular in the 2010s to offer more immersion and screen real estate.
How does aspect ratio relate to my phone?
Your phone screen uses the same principles, but in a vertical orientation. A phone with a 1080×1920 resolution has a 9:16 aspect ratio—it’s just a 16:9 screen turned on its side. Newer phones often have even taller ratios, like 19.5:9, to provide more scrolling space and a more modern look.
What’s the best screen ratio for productivity?
While it’s a matter of preference, many professionals argue that 16:10 is the best for general productivity, as it provides extra vertical space for documents and web pages. For intense multitasking, like video editing or financial trading, a 21:9 ultrawide monitor is often considered superior because it can effectively replace a dual-monitor setup.
Does aspect ratio affect image quality?
No, not directly. Image quality is determined by resolution (the total number of pixels) and pixel density (how many pixels are packed into one inch). You can have a high-quality 4:3 screen and a low-quality 16:9 screen. The aspect ratio only defines the shape of the screen, not the sharpness or clarity of the image.
Now that you know your screen’s aspect ratio, you might be curious about its physical size. Use our Screen Size Calculator to find the diagonal measurement in inches. To understand how sharp your display is, check out our DPI/PPI Calculator.
