Aspect Ratio Finder
Video & Cinema • Video Editing

How do I change the aspect ratio of a video?

Changing video aspect ratio is straightforward. Here are the main methods, from easiest to most complex.

Quick Answer:

Easiest: Use online video tools

  • Kapwing, Ezgif, Clipchamp
  • Upload, select new aspect ratio
  • Download (no software needed)

Best quality: Video editing software

  • Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve
  • Professional results
  • Full control

Method 1: Online Video Resizer (Easiest)

Best for: Quick changes, no software

Steps:

  1. Go to Kapwing.com or Ezgif.com
  2. Upload your video
  3. Select target aspect ratio (16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:5, etc.)
  4. Preview
  5. Download

Advantages:

  • ✅No software installation
  • ✅Works in browser
  • ✅Free or cheap
  • ✅Quick results
  • ✅Mobile-friendly

Disadvantages:

  • ❌File size limited
  • ❌Quality varies
  • ❌Limited control
  • ❌May add watermark (free tier)

Method 2: Video Editing Software (Best Quality)

Best for: Professional results, full control

Premiere Pro:

  1. Create new sequence
  2. Set sequence preset to target aspect ratio
  3. Import video
  4. Add black background layer
  5. Place video on top layer
  6. Scale to fit without cropping
  7. File → Export

Final Cut Pro:

  1. Create project with target aspect ratio
  2. Import video
  3. Position in timeline
  4. Add black background
  5. Scale video to fit
  6. Share → Export

DaVinci Resolve (Free):

  1. Set project aspect ratio
  2. Import video
  3. Add black background generator
  4. Position video
  5. Scale to fit
  6. Export

OBS (Streaming):

  1. Settings → Output
  2. Set resolution/aspect ratio
  3. Add video source
  4. Scale to fit canvas
  5. Stream or record

Method 3: Simple Video Apps

Mobile Apps:

  • CapCut: Change aspect ratio (9:16, 16:9, 1:1, etc.)
  • InShot: Crop/resize video
  • Adobe Premiere Rush: Professional mobile editing

Desktop Apps:

  • Shotcut: Free, open-source
  • OpenShot: Free, simple
  • HitFilm Express: Free with paid options

Methods for Different Aspect Ratio Changes:

From 16:9 to 9:16 (Landscape to Portrait):

Option 1: Rotate (if filmed vertically)

  • Rotate 90°
  • Done (if dimensions match)

Option 2: Add Black Bars

  • Set canvas to 9:16
  • Scale 16:9 video to fit width
  • Black bars on top/bottom
  • Preserves all content

From 4:3 to 16:9:

Option 1: Crop Sides

  • Lose left/right content
  • Quick but destructive

Option 2: Add Black Bars

  • Add bars on left/right
  • Preserve all content
  • Professional approach

From 1:1 (Square) to 16:9:

Option 1: Zoom

  • Enlarge square video
  • Crops top/bottom
  • Loses content

Option 2: Add Bars

  • Bars on top/bottom
  • Keep full content
  • Better approach

Online Tools Comparison:

ToolFreeQualitySpeedBest For
KapwingLimitedGoodFastQuick resizes
EzgifYesMediumFastGIF/video
ClipchampLimitedExcellentMediumProfessional
HandBrakeYesExcellentSlowHigh quality
FFmpegYesExcellentVery slowAdvanced

Step-by-Step for Popular Platforms:

For YouTube (Target: 16:9, 1920×1080):

  1. If video is wrong aspect, use Premiere/Final Cut
  2. Add black bars or crop
  3. Export at 1920×1080
  4. Upload to YouTube
  5. YouTube handles bars automatically

For TikTok (Target: 9:16, 1080×1920):

  1. Use CapCut (easiest for TikTok)
  2. Import video
  3. Set aspect to 9:16
  4. Add background color/image if needed
  5. Export
  6. Upload directly to TikTok

For Instagram Reels (Target: 9:16):

  1. Use CapCut or Instagram editor
  2. Import video
  3. Set to 9:16
  4. Add any effects
  5. Upload

For Instagram Feed (Target: 1:1 or 4:5):

  1. Use Kapwing or CapCut
  2. Change to 1:1 or 4:5
  3. Add background (color or blurred)
  4. Export
  5. Upload

Using FFmpeg (Advanced, Free)

FFmpeg is a powerful command-line tool for advanced video aspect ratio conversion. It can automatically scale video to fit a target aspect ratio while adding black bars and centering the content. This method is for advanced users comfortable with command-line interfaces.

This approach:

  • Scales to fit target dimensions
  • Preserves original aspect ratio
  • Adds black bars automatically
  • Centers content perfectly

Quality Considerations:

Preserve Quality:

  • ✅Use professional software
  • ✅Export in high bitrate
  • ✅Use H.264 codec
  • ✅Keep resolution high
  • ✅Avoid multiple exports

Don't Do This:

  • ❌Stretch video (distorts)
  • ❌Squish video (distorts)
  • ❌Export multiple times (quality degrades)
  • ❌Use low bitrate (artifacts)
  • ❌Resize up (pixelates)

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • ❌Mistake 1: Stretching

Result: Video looks distorted

Solution: Use black bars instead

  • ❌Mistake 2: Cropping

Result: Lost content

Solution: Use padding/bars

  • ❌Mistake 3: Wrong resolution

Result: Poor quality

Solution: Export at target resolution

  • ❌Mistake 4: Multiple conversions

Result: Quality degradation

Solution: One conversion from original

Pro Tips:

Tip 1: Start with Original

  • Always edit from original file
  • Avoid re-encoding if possible
  • Preserves maximum quality

Tip 2: Know Your Target

  • YouTube: 16:9 (1920×1080 minimum)
  • TikTok: 9:16 (1080×1920)
  • Instagram: 1:1 or 4:5
  • Plan ahead for quality

Tip 3: Use Appropriate Tool

  • Simple resize: Online tool
  • Professional: Premiere/Final Cut
  • Streaming: OBS
  • Mobile: CapCut

Tip 4: Export Settings

  • Bitrate: 5-12 Mbps for 1080p
  • Codec: H.264 (most compatible)
  • Frame rate: Match original
  • Quality: High (if exporting)

Key Takeaway:

To change video aspect ratio, use an online tool for quick changes or professional software for best quality. Add black bars to preserve content instead of cropping. Export at your target resolution (1920×1080 for 16:9, 1080×1920 for 9:16, etc.) for best results on your platform.

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