What Does "Wider" Actually Mean in Aspect Ratios?
Aspect ratio describes the proportional relationship between width and height. The first number always refers to width, the second to height. So 4:3 means four units wide for every three units high. Sixteen to nine means sixteen units wide for every nine units high.
Here's where it gets interesting. If you compare screens of the same diagonal size—say, a 50-inch TV—the 16:9 display will be physically wider than a 4:3 display. But if you compare screens with the same width, the 4:3 screen will actually be taller. The "wider" designation only holds true when comparing equal diagonals.
The Math Behind the Width Difference
Let's calculate. For a 50-inch diagonal screen:
4:3 screen: approximately 40 inches wide by 30 inches high
16:9 screen: approximately 43.6 inches wide by 24.5 inches high
The 16:9 screen gains about 3.6 inches of width but loses 5.5 inches of height. That's the trade-off.
A Brief History: Why These Ratios Exist
4:3 wasn't chosen at random. It traces back to Thomas Edison's 35mm film format in the early 1900s. The frame size Edison standardized—four perforations high—created an image that measured roughly 4 units wide to 3 units high. This became the standard for cinema, television, and early computer monitors.
16:9 emerged much later. In the 1980s, the European Union's research institute studied human visual perception and found that a wider format better matched our peripheral vision. By 1996, the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) had standardized 16:9 as the future of widescreen television and digital video.
Why 16:9 Won the Format War
The shift wasn't just about perception. Content creators wanted more horizontal space for cinematic compositions. Sports broadcasts benefited from showing more of the playing field. And perhaps most importantly, 16:9 provided a middle ground between the extremely wide cinema formats (like 2.39:1) and the boxy 4:3 standard.
By the early 2000s, 16:9 was becoming the default. HDTVs adopted it. Laptops followed. Even smartphones, despite their vertical orientation, typically shoot video in 16:9 or even wider ratios.
Where You'll Still Find 4:3 Today
Despite 16:9's dominance, 4:3 hasn't disappeared. You'll still encounter it in:
Micro Four Thirds cameras: These popular mirrorless cameras use a 4:3 sensor, giving photographers more vertical space for portraits and a different compositional feel.
Medium format cameras: Many professional medium format sensors use 4:5 or 5:4 ratios, which are even more square than 4:3.
Older content: Standard definition television broadcasts, pre-2000s TV shows, and classic films were all produced in 4:3.
Specialty applications: Some scientific and industrial displays still use 4:3 for its efficient use of vertical space.
The Nostalgic Appeal of 4:3
Here's something interesting: 4:3 has experienced a minor renaissance in recent years. Directors like Andrea Arnold and Lena Dunham have deliberately chosen 4:3 for its claustrophobic, intimate feel. It can make modern widescreen footage look dated by comparison.
Instagram's original square format (1:1) is essentially a compromise between 4:3 and ultra-wide ratios. It forces a different kind of composition—one that many photographers find creatively challenging.
Comparing 4:3 and 16:9: More Than Just Width
When you place these ratios side by side, the differences go beyond simple width:
Field of view: 16:9 captures more horizontal information. For landscape photography or group shots, this matters. But for portraits or architecture, 4:3's extra height can be more useful.
Composition: The "rule of thirds" works differently in each ratio. In 16:9, you have more space to work with on the sides. In 4:3, the tighter frame can create a sense of confinement or focus.
Print compatibility: Most print sizes (4x6, 5x7, 8x10) don't match either ratio perfectly. 4:3 crops more evenly to common print sizes than 16:9 does.
The Resolution Factor
Resolution adds another layer of complexity. A 4:3 sensor with 20 megapixels has the same total pixels as a 16:9 sensor with 20 megapixels—but they're distributed differently.
The 4:3 sensor gives you more pixels in the vertical dimension, which can be better for certain types of photography. The 16:9 sensor gives you more horizontal pixels, which benefits widescreen compositions.
Beyond 4:3 and 16:9: The Modern Landscape
Aspect ratios have proliferated in the digital age. You'll encounter:
18:9 (2:1): Popular in smartphones, this ultra-wide ratio maximizes screen real estate.
21:9: Used in ultrawide monitors and some cinematic content, this ratio is even wider than 16:9.
1:1: The square format, beloved by Instagram and some photographers for its symmetry.
2.39:1: The cinematic widescreen format, much wider than 16:9.
Why Standards Matter Less Than You Think
Here's the thing: in the digital era, aspect ratios are more fluid than ever. You can shoot in one ratio and crop to another in post-production. Many cameras let you switch between ratios on the fly.
The "wider" question matters most when you're constrained by hardware—like a TV screen or a print size. In creative work, you can choose whatever ratio serves your vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 4:3 better for photography than 16:9?
It depends on what you're shooting. 4:3 gives you more vertical space, which is great for portraits, architecture, and any situation where height matters. 16:9 excels at landscapes, groups, and anything where you want a cinematic feel. Neither is objectively better—they're tools for different situations.
Why do some TVs still have black bars on the sides?
Those black bars appear when you watch 4:3 content on a 16:9 TV. The TV can stretch the image to fill the screen, but that distorts the proportions. Most people prefer the black bars to distorted faces and buildings.
Can I change the aspect ratio of a video after shooting?
Yes, but with limitations. You can crop a 16:9 video to 4:3, but you'll lose information on the sides. Going the other direction—from 4:3 to 16:9—means you'll have to zoom in or add background to fill the extra width. Some AI tools can intelligently extend backgrounds, but results vary.
Which aspect ratio should I use for YouTube videos?
YouTube recommends 16:9, which is also the platform's default. But YouTube supports multiple ratios. Vertical videos (9:16) work well on mobile. Square videos (1:1) can perform well in certain contexts. The content matters more than the ratio.
Does aspect ratio affect video quality?
Not directly. A 4K video has 8.3 million pixels whether it's 16:9 or 4:3. However, if you crop a 16:9 video to 4:3, you're discarding pixels and reducing resolution. The sensor's native ratio affects how those pixels are distributed.
Verdict: The Bottom Line on Width
16:9 is wider than 4:3 when comparing screens of equal diagonal size. But that simple fact masks a more complex reality. Aspect ratios aren't about absolute width—they're about proportions, composition, and how we choose to frame the world.
4:3 remains relevant for photography, certain professional applications, and anyone who values its unique compositional qualities. 16:9 dominates video, entertainment, and most modern displays for good reason—it matches how we see and what we want to see.
The real question isn't which is wider, but which ratio serves your specific needs. Sometimes you want the expansive sweep of 16:9. Other times, the focused intimacy of 4:3 is exactly right. Understanding both gives you more creative control—and that's ultimately what matters most.