The 4:3 aspect ratio may sound like a technical term, but it’s actually a familiar shape that defined how generations viewed movies, photos, and television. This format, once the gold standard of screens, still finds value today in surprising ways. Its near-square frame gives balance and clarity, which makes it useful for both classic and modern visual needs.
What Is 4:3 Aspect Ratio?
So, what exactly does this ratio represent? In simple terms, an aspect ratio describes how wide something is compared to how tall it is. A 4 by 3 aspect ratio means a display or image is four units wide and three units high. The units can represent anything—pixels, inches, or even film lines.
If you divide four by three, you get 1.33, meaning the image is 1.33 times wider than its height. Imagine looking through a camera set to a 4:3 aspect ratio frame: the view feels balanced, with enough room horizontally and vertically to capture the scene naturally.
This proportion is also known as 1.33:1, and while it once described early film cameras, it later became synonymous with traditional TV and computer displays. When an image recorded in 4:3 is viewed on a screen with the same ratio, it fills the display completely without cropping or distortion.
That full, rectangular view gave rise to the term “fullscreen.” By contrast, “widescreen” formats like 16:9 stretch further horizontally, creating a more cinematic feel. The 4:3 format may look more compact, but it offers a more natural balance for certain visuals—especially where height and width need equal attention.
Common 4:3 Resolutions
Different devices have used various resolutions under this classic ratio. Here are a few standard 4:3 aspect ratio resolutions you might encounter:
· 2048 × 1536 – 3,145,728 pixels
· 1920 × 1440 – 2,764,800 pixels
· 1600 × 1200 – 1,920,000 pixels
· 1400 × 1050 – 1,470,000 pixels
· 1280 × 960 – 1,228,800 pixels
· 1024 × 768 – 786,432 pixels
Each resolution keeps the same 4:3 aspect ratio in pixels. The smaller ones were once common for CRT monitors and early LCDs, while higher resolutions later appeared on tablets and professional photo displays. The ratio’s simplicity made it easy to scale across various technologies.
History of the 4:3 Aspect Ratio Format
To appreciate how common this ratio once was, it helps to start with its story. The 4:3 ratio was born in the early 20th century alongside 35mm film, which became the foundation of cinema. Early filmmakers found the format’s shape ideal for storytelling—it offered just enough space for both the actors and the setting.
When sound was added to movies, space on the film reel had to be shared with audio tracks. To adjust, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences standardized a slightly wider version, 1.37:1, in 1932. This became known as the “Academy Ratio,” and it remained Hollywood’s visual language for decades.
As televisions became common in homes during the 1940s and 1950s, they copied this same shape. The new “boxy” TV screen perfectly fits existing films, creating a smooth transition between theaters and living rooms. But as entertainment evolved, filmmakers sought to stand out.
To compete with television, the movie industry widened its horizons—literally. Formats like CinemaScope and VistaVision offered sweeping, panoramic views. Yet these widescreen movies didn’t fit on 4:3 televisions. To fix this, editors used the pan-and-scan method, selecting only a portion of each shot to fit the narrower TV frame. Later, letterboxing became popular, adding black bars to maintain the full image.
Even as new formats like VHS and DVD appeared, 4:3 aspect ratios remained deeply rooted in homes and broadcast systems. Although widescreen eventually became the global standard, 4:3 versions of movies still appeared for in-flight entertainment and classic re-releases.
Best Use Cases of 4:3 Aspect Ratio Today
Even in the age of widescreen, 4:3 hasn’t disappeared—it’s simply evolved. Its balanced proportions still make sense in several modern scenarios.
1. Smart Home Devices
A great example of where the 4:3 format still shines is in smart home security, like a video doorbell. The 4:3 view captures more height, making it perfect for seeing both visitors and packages on the ground. Devices like the eufy Video Doorbell E340 (Battery Powered) take this further with dual cameras—one for faces and another for the area below—providing a complete 2K view of your doorstep, even at night.
Similarly, the eufy Video Doorbell C31 uses a 4:3 field of view in 2K FHD clarity to give a full picture from top to bottom, ensuring no detail goes unnoticed. These modern applications show how the 4:3 ratio continues to offer practical advantages in today’s connected homes.
2. Photography and Printing
Many digital cameras still shoot in 4:3 by default. This ratio feels natural for portraits and landscapes because it doesn’t stretch the scene. When printed, it fits most photo paper sizes with minimal cropping. If a photographer needs to crop the image later, keeping the same ratio helps maintain composition and balance.
3. Film and Creative Media
Filmmakers sometimes choose 4:3 deliberately to focus attention. By limiting width, the format draws the viewer’s eyes toward the subject rather than the surroundings. Some award-winning films have used this intentionally to create intimacy or nostalgia.
4. Retro and Professional Monitors
Old-school computer monitors and CRT displays used 4:3 because it matched the shape of early programs and games. While widescreen has replaced it in most offices, 4:3 monitors still exist in some professional settings, such as aviation, control systems, and older equipment interfaces.
5. Classic Television Content
Most TV shows made before the 2000s were produced in 4:3. When these are played on modern screens, black bars appear on the sides to preserve the original shape. It’s a small reminder of how deeply this format once defined entertainment.
4:3 vs 16:9 vs 21:9: Comparison and Differences
Aspect ratios influence how we experience media. The differences between 4:3, 16:9, and 21:9 go beyond size—they shape storytelling, productivity, and viewer comfort.
4:3 Aspect Ratio
The 4:3 format, also called “fullscreen,” dominated the 20th century. It provides a near-square viewing area that feels balanced and natural. Its height makes it ideal for reading documents, video calls, and photography. While it’s not the default anymore, it still has a loyal following for specific uses.
16:9 Aspect Ratio
The 16:9 widescreen format became the global standard as high-definition technology spread. It’s broader, giving viewers a cinematic experience and more room for side-by-side multitasking. It’s the go-to shape for streaming, gaming, and virtually all modern televisions.
21:9 Aspect Ratio
The 21:9 ratio, often expressed as 64:27, goes even wider. Common in ultrawide monitors and high-end projectors, it immerses the viewer by extending the field of view. It’s excellent for movies and gaming but less suited for everyday computing, as much of the space can go unused in regular tasks.
In short:
· 4:3 favors balance and clarity.
· 16:9 delivers cinematic realism.
· 21:9 enhances immersion.
Each ratio serves a purpose—what works best depends on the content and user preference.
Conclusion
The 4 3 aspect ratio may belong to the past in terms of industry standards, but it continues to serve the present in unique ways. From early cinema to photo printing and modern smart devices, its balanced frame offers clarity where widescreen can feel excessive. Whether used for storytelling or security, this classic ratio proves that sometimes, the simplest proportions create the most enduring impact.
FAQs
Which aspect ratio is 1080x1350?
The 1080x1350 resolution has a 4:5 aspect ratio. This means the height is slightly longer than the width, creating a vertical layout. It’s popular for social media platforms like Instagram, especially for portrait posts, because it fills more screen space and helps content stand out while still displaying clearly on most devices.
Is 16/9 the same as the 4:3 aspect ratio?
No, 16:9 and 4:3 are different aspect ratios. The 16:9 ratio is wider and commonly used for HD TVs, smartphones, and streaming videos. The 4:3 ratio is closer to a square shape and was the standard for older TVs and monitors. Each format serves a different viewing purpose depending on screen type and content style.
Is Instagram 4:3 or 16:9?
Instagram mainly uses a 1:1 square format for posts, but it also supports 4:5 for vertical photos and 16:9 for widescreen videos or Reels. The 4:3 ratio isn’t standard on the platform, though photos taken in that format can still be uploaded and automatically cropped to fit within Instagram’s supported frame sizes.
What is the frame size for a 4:3 aspect ratio?
The 4:3 aspect ratio means the width is four units, and the height is three units. Common frame sizes include 1024x768, 1600x1200, and 2048x1536 pixels. The ratio stays the same regardless of resolution, providing a balanced frame that works well for photography, video doorbells, and older televisions where equal width and height coverage are preferred.
