A Comparison of Aspect Ratio Shapes Used in Photography

=== by Bob Sutherland ===

Page 2 of 2

In the following diagrams I draw and compare the most common shapes of digital photographs and computer screens to see how well they fit together.

In each diagram I have drawn the outline of a photo (red box) inside the outline of a computer screen (blue box). I assume the photo can be zoomed larger or smaller to find the best possible fit. I have included various combinations of 3:2 , 4:3 , 16:9 and 8:5 aspect ratios for the shape of the photos and the shape of the screens.

Diagram A -- 3:2 inside 4:3

A rectangle with aspect ratio 3:2 inside a rectangle with aspect ratio 4:3

3:2 = 3 * 4 : 2 * 4 = 12:8

4:3 = 4 * 3 : 3 * 3 = 12:9

Diagram B -- 2:3 inside 4:3

Two rectangles with portrait orientation aspect ratios of 2:3 can fit inside a rectangle with a landscape orientation aspect ratio of 4:3

2:3

4:3

Diagram C -- 4:3 inside 3:2

A rectangle with aspect ratio 4:3 inside a rectangle with aspect ratio 3:2

4:3 = 4 * 4 : 3 * 4 = 16:12

3:2 = 3 * 6 : 2 * 6 = 18:12

Diagram D -- 16:9 inside 8:5

A rectangle with aspect ratio 16:9 inside a rectangle with aspect ratio 8:5

16:9

8:5 = 8 * 2 : 5 * 2 = 16:10

Diagram E -- 3:2 inside 8:5

A rectangle with aspect ratio 3:2 inside a rectangle with aspect ratio 8:5

3:2 = 3 * 5 : 2 * 5 = 15:10

8:5 = 8 * 2 : 5 * 2 = 16:10

Diagram F -- 4:3 inside 16:9

A rectangle with aspect ratio 4:3 inside a rectangle with aspect ratio 16:9

4:3 = 4 * 3 : 3 * 3 = 12:9

16:9

Diagram H -- 3:2 inside 16:9

A rectangle with aspect ratio 3:2 inside a rectangle with aspect ratio 16:9

3:2 = 3 * 4.5 : 2 * 4.5 = 13.5 : 9

16:9

Diagram I -- 4:3 inside 8:5

A rectangle with aspect ratio 4:3 inside a rectangle with aspect ratio 8:5

4:3 = 4 * 3.3333 : 3 * 3.3333 = 13.3333 : 10

8:5 = 8 * 2 : 5 * 2 = 16:10