FFmpeg Cookbook

Aspect Ratio Calculator

Compute the matching dimension for a target aspect ratio. Includes presets for 16:9 / 4:3 / 21:9 / 1:1 / 9:16.

×
16:9

Common Resolution Presets

Name Width Height Ratio
Popular uses
Calculate 16:9 and 9:16 sizesPlan social resolutionsAvoid bars and padding

What this tool does

  • Width ↔ height calculator
  • Common-ratio presets
  • Even-number correction for H.264

How to use

  1. 1

    Pick a ratio

    Preset or custom.

  2. 2

    Enter width or height

    The other side calculates automatically.

  3. 3

    Copy the result

    Paste straight into ffmpeg.

What each setting means

Aspect ratio
Width:height ratio (e.g. 16:9).
Width / Height
One drives the other.

Recommended settings

YouTube / TV
16:9 (1920×1080)
Global standard.
TikTok / Reels / Shorts
9:16 (1080×1920)
Vertical SNS standard.
Cinematic
21:9 (2560×1080)
Cinemascope-like framing.

Common pitfalls

Symptom: H.264 encode fails

Cause: Odd resolution.

Fix: Use scale=-2:720 to force even.

Equivalent FFmpeg commands

Reference commands you can run on the desktop FFmpeg CLI.

Keep width, set height to 720
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf scale=-2:720 -c:v libx264 -crf 23 output.mp4
Force exact resolution
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf scale=1280:720,setsar=1:1 output.mp4

Browser support & limits

  • Calculator only — apply via another tool.

Privacy

This tool only does math in your browser. Inputs stay on your device — nothing is uploaded. Read the privacy policy →

Frequently asked questions

Why even resolution?

H.264 / H.265 use 4:2:0 chroma subsampling, which requires even dimensions.

21:9 vs 2.35:1?

Similar, not identical. 21:9 ≈ 2.33:1; 2.35:1 is true cinemascope.

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