What is Aspect Ratio? Video Format Guide for Film

August 24, 2025

Table of contents:

The difference between a professional-looking video and an amateur one often comes down to a simple choice: aspect ratio. This fundamental relationship between width and height shapes how your audience experiences your content, whether they're watching on a cinema screen or scrolling through their phone.

What aspect ratio should you choose for your next project, and why does it matter so much? Let's explore this essential video production concept.

What Is Aspect Ratio?

Aspect ratio is the relationship between the width and height of a video frame. Written as two numbers (e.g., 16:9), it defines how your film or video fills the screen. Aspect ratio influences whether your video feels cinematic, mobile-first, or balanced for social feeds.

In LTX Studio, you can easily choose the right aspect ratio for your project with built-in presets: 16:9, 9:16, and 1:1.

Why Aspect Ratio Matters in Film and Video

Aspect ratio isn't just about screen size — it's about storytelling. A wide frame (16:9) creates space for landscapes, action, and cinematic experiences, allowing filmmakers to capture expansive scenes and multiple subjects in a single shot. A vertical frame (9:16) feels intimate and personal, built for the way people hold their phones and optimized for close-up storytelling. A square frame (1:1) balances both approaches, working well in social feeds where quick engagement matters and viewers scroll rapidly through content.

Whether you're aiming for a cinematic look or optimizing content for TikTok or LinkedIn, aspect ratio shapes how audiences experience your video and determines the emotional connection they feel with your content.

Aspect Ratio Options in LTX Studio

16:9 – Widescreen Standard

The 16:9 aspect ratio is best for YouTube, TV, desktop viewing, and cinematic-style projects. This format delivers a professional widescreen experience that mimics traditional film and television, giving your content a polished and familiar feel. In LTX Studio, you can export in 16:9 to give your videos the classic cinematic feel that works across most platforms and provides maximum compatibility with standard viewing devices.

9:16 – Vertical / Mobile-First

The 9:16 vertical format is ideal for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Stories. This aspect ratio maximizes screen real estate on smartphones, driving stronger engagement on mobile-first platforms where users hold their devices vertically. With LTX Studio, you can create vertical-first content instantly using the 9:16 preset, eliminating the need for manual cropping or resizing after production.

1:1 – Square

The 1:1 square format works best for LinkedIn posts, Instagram feeds, and Facebook ads. This balanced aspect ratio provides optimal viewing across both mobile and desktop platforms, making it a reliable choice for social feeds and advertising campaigns. LTX Studio allows you to export square videos for ads or feed posts that need to work seamlessly across multiple platforms without formatting issues.

Best Aspect Ratios by Platform (with LTX Studio)

Different platforms perform best with specific aspect ratios. YouTube works optimally with 16:9 widescreen format, while TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts favor the 9:16 vertical orientation. LinkedIn posts and Instagram feed content typically perform well with 1:1 square formatting, and traditional TV or film projects still rely on the 16:9 widescreen standard.

With LTX Studio presets, you don't have to guess which format to use — simply pick the ratio that matches your target platform and export your content with confidence.

How to Change Aspect Ratio in LTX Studio

Changing aspect ratio in LTX Studio is simple and seamless through the platform's intuitive interface. You can use the clickable dropdown menu to select your preferred aspect ratio from the available options: 16:9, 9:16, or 1:1. This dropdown menu is conveniently located in three key areas of the platform: the Gen Space where you can set the ratio before generating your video, the Storyboard section where you can adjust the format while planning out your scenes, and the Timeline where you can change ratios during final editing without starting over.

LTX Studio automatically adapts your content to the chosen format, keeping important visual elements properly framed without awkward cropping or loss of key information that could compromise your storytelling.