Guide
Projector aspect ratios explained
What projector aspect ratios mean and how each changes the image shape, with a table of width and height for a 100-inch screen in 16:9, 16:10, 2.40:1 and 4:3.
Guide
Aspect ratio is the width-to-height shape of the image. 16:9 is standard for TV and most projectors; 16:10 suits business and data; 2.40:1 is cinemascope for movies; 4:3 is the old square format. At the same 100-inch diagonal, a wider ratio means a wider, shorter image.
A projector’s native aspect ratio is fixed by its chip, though it can show other ratios with black bars. Most home projectors are 16:9. The table shows how the width and height of a 100-inch diagonal change with the ratio — handy for sizing a wall or matching a screen.
Image size by aspect ratio (100-inch diagonal)
| Aspect ratio | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:3 | 80″ | 60″ |
| 16:10 | 85″ | 53″ |
| 16:9 | 87″ | 49″ |
| 2.40:1 | 92″ | 38″ |
Frequently asked questions
16:9 — the same shape as HDTV and 4K, used by nearly all home-theater projectors.