Pixel aspect ratio
Last updated on
Dec 14, 2023
Learn more about aspect ratios and their types.
An aspect ratio specifies the ratio of width to height. Video and still picture frames have a frame aspect ratio. The pixels that make up the frame have a pixel aspect ratio (sometimes referred to as PAR). Different video recording standards use different aspect ratios. For example, you record video for television in either a 4:3 or 16:9 frame aspect ratio.
When a project is created in Premiere Pro, you set its frame and pixel aspect. Once these ratios are set, you cannot change them for that project. However, you can change the aspect ratio of a sequence. You can also use assets created with different aspect ratios in the project.
Premiere Pro automatically tries to compensate for the pixel aspect ratio of source files. If an asset still appears distorted, you can manually set its pixel aspect ratio. It’s important to reconcile pixel aspect ratios before reconciling frame aspect ratios because an incorrect frame aspect ratio can result from a misinterpreted pixel aspect ratio.
Types of aspect ratios
Widescreen (16:9)
It's the standard aspect ratio commonly shared by online videos, documentaries, and films. It captures a large amount of data with details.
Vertical (9:16)
It's the aspect ratio of videos recorded on your phone.
Fullscreen (4:3)
It's the aspect ratio that was used on television before widescreen was used. It focused on a particular element at a time.
Square (1:1)
It's a perfect square ratio that is commonly used on Instagram.
Anamorphic (2.40:1)
It is a wide widescreen often used in movies. It is similar to 16:9 but the top and bottom are cropped. This effect gives it a cinematic feel.
Common pixel aspect ratios
Here are the common pixel aspect ratios in Premiere Pro:
|
|
When to use |
|
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Square pixels |
1.0 |
Footage has a 640x480 or 648x486 frame size, is 1920x1080 HD (not HDV or DVCPRO HD), is 1280x720 HD or HDV, or was exported from an application that doesn’t support nonsquare pixels. This setting can also be appropriate for footage that was transferred from film or for customized projects. |
|
D1/DV NTSC |
0.91 |
Footage has a 720x486 or 720x480 frame size, and the desired result is a 4:3 frame aspect ratio. This setting can also be appropriate for footage that was exported from an application that works with non-square pixels, such as a 3D animation application. |
|
D1/DV NTSC Widescreen |
1.21 |
Footage has a 720x486 or 720x480 frame size, and the desired result is a 16:9 frame aspect ratio. |
|
D1/DV PAL |
1.09 |
Footage has a 720x576 frame size, and the desired result is a 4:3 frame aspect ratio. |
|
D1/DV PAL Widescreen |
1.46 |
Footage has a 720x576 frame size, and the desired result is a 16:9 frame aspect ratio. |
|
Anamorphic 2:1 |
2.0 |
Footage was shot using an anamorphic film lens, or it was anamorphically transferred from a film frame with a 2:1 aspect ratio. |
|
HDV 1080/DVCPRO HD 720, HD Anamorphic 1080 |
1.33 |
Footage has a 1440x1080 or 960x720 frame size, and the desired result is a 16:9 frame aspect ratio. |
|
DVCPRO HD 1080 |
1.5 |
Footage has a 1280x1080 frame size, and the desired result is a 16:9 frame aspect ratio. |
