What is 4:5 in Pixels and Common Dimensions Explained
Learn what 4:5 in pixels means, common dimensions for social media and print, and how to resize images to this vertical aspect ratio without quality loss.
Introduction to Aspect Ratios in Digital Media
Understanding aspect ratios is essential for producing professional and visually appealing content in digital media, photography, video production, and design. An aspect ratio defines the proportional relationship between an image or screen’s width and height. Selecting the correct ratio ensures your images and videos display correctly across different devices and platforms, helping you avoid distortion, awkward cropping, or loss of key visual elements.
Whether you’re a graphic designer preparing creatives for advertising, a social media manager optimizing content for Instagram, or a photographer formatting prints, knowing how to work with aspect ratios—especially the 4:5 aspect ratio—is a must-have skill.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll answer the question “What is 4:5 in pixels?”, explain where it’s used, show you how to calculate pixel dimensions, provide resizing tips, and cover best practices for achieving the perfect vertical composition.
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What Is the 4:5 Aspect Ratio?
A 4:5 aspect ratio means that for every 4 units of width, there are 5 units of height. Visually, it’s taller than it is wide, resulting in a vertical or portrait orientation.
Common Uses of 4:5
- Instagram Feeds: The tallest ratio allowed in Instagram’s main feed without cropping.
- Printed Portraits: Popular in photography prints and framed art.
- Advertising & Marketing: Used in vertical signage, posters, and product showcases.
This format naturally draws attention vertically, making it a favorite for portraits, infographics, and products designed to stand out in scroll-heavy content feeds.
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How to Calculate Pixels for 4:5
If you’re asking "what is 4:5 in pixels?", the answer depends on either your target width or height. You can calculate the missing dimension with a simple proportional formula.
Formulas:
- When width is known: `Height = (Width ÷ 4) × 5`
- When height is known: `Width = (Height ÷ 5) × 4`
Calculation Examples
- Width = 1080 px (Instagram standard)
- Height = (1080 ÷ 4) × 5 = 1350 px → 1080 × 1350 pixels
- Height = 2000 px
- Width = (2000 ÷ 5) × 4 = 1600 px → 1600 × 2000 pixels
Using these calculations ensures your media maintains its intended aspect ratio without distortion.
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Common 4:5 Pixel Dimensions
Here are some popular dimension pairs for social media, websites, and print:
| Width (px) | Height (px) | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 1080 | 1350 | Instagram post |
| 800 | 1000 | Web content |
| 1600 | 2000 | High-res print |
| 1200 | 1500 | Pinterest graphics |
| 2000 | 2500 | Poster design |
These dimensions can be scaled up or down while maintaining the same ratio.
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4:5 vs Other Aspect Ratios
Let’s compare 4:5 with popular alternatives:
- 1:1: Square ratio (e.g., 1080×1080), balanced but occupies less vertical feed space.
- 16:9: Widescreen, ideal for YouTube and most video platforms.
- 3:2: Standard DSLR photo ratio.
- 9:16: Fully vertical, used in Stories, Reels, TikTok.
Why 4:5 Stands Out
It maximizes vertical feed presence without triggering platform cropping limits, offering more visual impact than square images while being more versatile than extreme vertical ratios.
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How to Resize or Crop Images to 4:5 Without Quality Loss
To resize or crop accurately:
- Check original resolution: Start with the highest quality available.
- Apply correct dimensions: Use the formulas above to determine exact pixels.
- Use a fixed-ratio crop tool: Keep your main subject centered.
- Export wisely: Choose JPEG for photography, PNG for graphics with transparency, and avoid excessive compression.
Pro Tip: Work on a duplicate copy of your original image to preserve the source.
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Recommended Tools for Creating 4:5 Ratio Images
- Adobe Photoshop – Advanced cropping, resizing, and export controls.
- Canva – Simple preset templates and user-friendly cropping tools.
- GIMP – Free Photoshop alternative with flexible ratio settings.
- Pixlr – Fast, browser-based editor for quick edits.
- Figma – Especially useful for design teams creating social content.
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Best Practices for Social Media Marketing with 4:5
- Design for mobile-first: Most viewers use vertical displays.
- Maximize vertical space: Capture audience attention in feeds.
- Maintain high resolution: Start images at least 1080px wide.
- Ensure consistency: Keep the same ratio throughout campaigns.
- Safe text placement: Avoid placing important text near edges.
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Troubleshooting: Avoiding Distortion and Pixelation
Common pitfalls and solutions:
- Issue: Stretching images to fit → Fix: Crop proportionally.
- Issue: Low-resolution source → Fix: Use high-res originals.
- Issue: Over-compression → Fix: Export at optimal quality.
- Issue: Platform cropping → Fix: Test uploads before publishing.
Quick Fix Tips:
- Use smart resampling (e.g., Photoshop’s “Preserve Details”).
- Follow each platform’s official size guidelines.
- Export in the platform’s native aspect ratio.
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Quick Reference: 4:5 Aspect Ratio Cheat Sheet
| Ratio | Width (px) | Height (px) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4:5 | 1080 | 1350 | Instagram portrait |
| 4:5 | 1200 | 1500 | Pinterest pin |
| 4:5 | 1600 | 2000 | Photo print |
| 4:5 | 800 | 1000 | Blog graphic |
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Conclusion
The 4:5 aspect ratio is an excellent choice for creating strong visual impact on vertical, mobile-first platforms like Instagram. Mastering how to calculate 4:5 in pixels equips you to design, crop, and resize images effectively while avoiding quality loss or unintended cropping.
By applying the techniques, tools, and best practices detailed here, you can produce sharp, professional visuals that look great across digital platforms and in print. Ready to put this into action? Start creating your next 4:5 image and watch engagement grow.
