Aspect Ratio Calculator
Pick an aspect ratio and enter one dimension to get the rest, for TVs, projectors, and screens.
| Ratio | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 16:9 | 87.2 | 49.0 |
| 16:10 | 84.8 | 53.0 |
| 4:3 | 80.0 | 60.0 |
| 21:9 | 91.9 | 39.4 |
| 2.35:1 | 92.0 | 39.2 |
What aspect ratio means
Aspect ratio compares width to height. A 16:9 screen is 16 units wide for every 9 tall, which is about 1.78 to 1. Multiply the height by the ratio to get the width, or divide the width by the ratio to get the height.
Matching a projector
Match the screen ratio to your projector, or set the projector to the screen you own. A 16:9 screen suits widescreen content, while a 2.35:1 screen gives a cinema feel with black bars on regular shows. Buying the wrong ratio means wasted space or letterboxing.
Diagonal versus width and height
Screens are sold by diagonal, but you plan a room by width and height. This calculator converts between them, so you can check that a big diagonal still fits your wall and your projector throw.
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Questions about this calculator
What is the aspect ratio of a 120 inch screen?
Most 120-inch projector screens are 16:9, which measure about 104.6 by 58.8 inches. Check the listing, since some screens are 4:3 or 2.35:1.
How do I calculate aspect ratio?
Divide the width by the height. A 1920 by 1080 image gives 1.78, which is 16:9. Reduce the numbers to the smallest whole ratio to get the label.
What is 16:9 in inches?
It depends on the size. Multiply the height by 1.78 to get the width, so a 30-inch-tall screen is about 53.3 inches wide.
Should I choose 16:9 or 21:9?
Pick 16:9 for general TV, gaming, and streaming. Pick 21:9 for an ultrawide monitor or cinema-style movies, and accept black bars on regular content.
How do I find the diagonal from width and height?
Square the width, square the height, add them, and take the square root. That is the Pythagorean theorem, and it gives the diagonal screen size.
Does aspect ratio affect projector brightness?
Yes. A larger screen spreads the same light over more area, so a wider ratio at the same diagonal has less bright picture. Match the screen to the projector lumen output for the room.