16:9 Aspect Ratio Explanation and How to Change Video Aspect Ratio

We live in an age where widescreen is king – from the latest blockbuster released to your laptop screen, the 16:9 aspect ratio reigns supreme.

When it comes to creating videos, the aspect ratio plays a crucial role in determining how the final product will look. The 16:9 aspect ratio is one of the most commonly used ratios in the video industry today.

It's the standard aspect ratio for most modern devices, including TVs, computer screens, and smartphones.

In this article, we'll explain what the 16:9 aspect ratio is, why it's so popular, and how to change the aspect ratio of your video to 16:9, so you can create videos that look great on any screen.

Whether you're a novice video editor or a seasoned filmmaker, read on to learn about the 16:9 aspect ratio and how to use it for your projects.

Part 1. What is the 16:9 Aspect Ratio?

The aspect ratio of a video refers to the proportional relationship between its width and height. The 16:9 aspect ratio is a standard widescreen format used in the video industry today. It means that for every 16 units of width, there are 9 units of height.

This aspect ratio is often referred to as "widescreen" because it provides a wider field of view than older formats like 4:3. The 16:9 aspect ratio is the most commonly used format for modern devices such as TVs, computer screens, and smartphones.

It is also the standard aspect ratio for high-definition (HD) video, making it a popular choice for filmmakers, YouTubers, and content creators looking to produce videos that look great on a variety of devices.

Part 2. List of True Widescreen Resolutions 16:9

One question you may have is, how do I know if a video has a true 16:9 aspect ratio? There's a simple way to answer this question. All you have to do is divide the width number of the resolution by 16.

The resulting number should be the greatest common factor, which can then be used to determine if the aspect ratio is true widescreen 16:9. To do this, divide the height number by the greatest common factor. If the result is 9, then it is a true 16:9 resolution.

Here are some of the most common widescreen resolutions used in videos today:

Part 3. FAQs about the 16:9 Aspect Ratio

1. What is the 16:9 ratio for widescreen?

16:9 ratio is the most commonly used widescreen aspect ratio for modern devices such as TVs, computer screens, and smartphones. It provides a wider field of view than the traditional 4:3 aspect ratio and is the standard for HD video.

It's important to note that while most video content is produced in a 16:9 aspect ratio, some may not be. It's always best to double-check the aspect ratio of your video before you start editing it.

2. Is the 16:9 ratio the same as 1920x1080?

No, the 16:9 aspect ratio is not the same as the 1920x1080 resolution, but it's a common resolution that has the same aspect ratio as 16:9.

The 16:9 aspect ratio refers to the proportional relationship between the width and height of a video frame. For every 16 units of width, there are 9 units of height. This aspect ratio is commonly used in the video industry.

On the other hand, 1920x1080 is a resolution used for high-definition (HD) video. It refers to the number of pixels in the width and height of a video frame. In this case, the frame is 1920 pixels wide and 1080 pixels tall, which also happens to have a 16:9 aspect ratio.

3. Is 16:9 full screen?

No, 16:9 is not full screen. Many modern devices like TVs and computer monitors use a 16:9 aspect ratio, but the video frame may not fill the whole screen. This is because different devices have different screen sizes and resolutions, so the video might be slightly letterboxed or pillarboxed.

However, the 16:9 aspect ratio does give you the most "full screen" experience on a variety of devices. So if you're looking to create a video that looks great on any device, 16:9 should be your go-to choice.

Part 4. How to Change Video Aspect Ratio to 16:9?

When it comes to changing the aspect ratio of your video, there are a lot of options out there. Every video editor has its own set of tools and features for adjusting the aspect ratio, but when it comes to the best of the best, HitPaw Video Converter stands out from the rest.

It supports batch processing of multiple videos with different formats and resolutions, and its Crop & Rotate feature allows you to quickly and easily adjust the aspect ratio of all your videos.

HitPaw Video Converter Main Features

• Change video aspect ratio in batch
• Preset aspect ratio provided
• Preset 16:9 resolution for different devices
• Customize video resolution
• Convert video, audio, DVD and images at incredible speed
• Built-in editor enables you to crop, rotate, add filters, add watermark, change playback speed and adjust volume
• Download video and audio from popular sites like TikTok, Bilibili, YouTube, SoundCloud
• Download music from Apple Music, Spotify and Deezer
• Useful toolbox

All in all, HitPaw Video Converter is the perfect tool for quickly and easily adjusting the aspect ratio of your videos so that they look great on any device.

How to Use HitPaw Video Converter to Change Video Aspect

Option 1. Adjust aspect ratio in Editor

Step 1. Free download and install HitPaw Vide Converter. Launch it and switch to Editor menu.

Step 2. Choose Crop & Rotate and add video(s) that you want to change the aspect ratio

Step 3. Select 16:9 from the preset options, or customize by dragging the four sides of the matrix in the playback window. You can check the “Apply all to list” to add the settings to all imported videos quickly.

Step 4. Finally, click the Confirm button to save your changes.

Option 2. Change Video Resolution to 16:9

• Step 1. Open HitPaw Video Converter. Click Add Files in the Convert menu to add video(s) to this program.

  

• Step 2. Click “Convert all to” in the lower left corner to expand the output format list.

  

• Step 3. Find the format you need, and then click the edit icon in the format to open the format preferences window. Here you can see the default parameters for this format. Usually we recommend using the default settings as it is the preferred resolution for the selected device/format. Nevertheless, HitPaw Video Converter provides different resolutions to select.

  

• Step 4. Create a new resolution for this format and select it as the target output format. You can back to main interface and click Convert All button to convert videos in 16:9.

  

These are the two ways to change video aspect ratio to 16:9 in HitPaw Video Converter.

The Bottom Line

A ratio is an important aspect of creating videos that look great on different devices. If you want to ensure your videos look their best, choosing the right aspect ratio is essential. 16:9 is the most popular choice, as it provides a great full-screen experience on a variety of different devices.

However, if you're looking to quickly and easily adjust the aspect ratio of your videos, HitPaw Video Converter is your best option. It offers an easy-to-use interface and powerful video-editing tools, so you can quickly get the perfect aspect ratio for any device.