What is the 4:3 aspect ratio?
4:3 is 4 units wide for every 3 units tall, or about 1.3333 as a decimal. It was the standard television and computer monitor shape for decades, and it is still the native shape of most phone camera sensors, many compact cameras and several tablets.
How to calculate 4:3 dimensions
height = width × 3 ÷ 4width = height × 4 ÷ 34 ÷ 3 ≈ 1.3333For example, a 1024 px wide image needs 1024 × 3 ÷ 4 = 768 px of height.
Where 4:3 is used
- Photography: phone cameras commonly capture 4:3 photos (for example 4032 × 3024).
- Tablets: several tablets use 4:3 or close to it, which suits reading and documents.
- Presentations: the "Standard" slide size in presentation apps is 4:3.
- Archive video: standard-definition TV and older footage were produced in 4:3.
A 4:3 frame on a widescreen display leaves empty bars on the left and right. This is called pillarboxing. To fill the screen instead, you would crop away 25% of the image's height.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1024×768 a 4:3 resolution?
Yes. 1024 ÷ 768 = 1.3333, exactly 4:3.
Is 4:3 better than 16:9 for photos?
Neither is better. 4:3 shows more vertical space, which helps portraits and architecture. 16:9 suits wide scenes and full-screen video. Pick the shape of the place the image will be shown.
What is 4:3 in portrait orientation?
Swap the numbers to get 3:4, for example 1200 × 1600. Use the swap button in the calculator above.