What Are Aspect Ratios?
Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between width and height. Different platforms and use cases require different aspect ratios for optimal display.
Common Aspect Ratios
1:1 (Square): Amazon, Shopify, Instagram feed, eBay. The most versatile format for e-commerce.
4:3 (Landscape): Etsy listings, website hero images, email headers. Slightly wider than square.
3:4 (Portrait): Pinterest pins, TikTok, Instagram Stories, mobile-first designs. Taller than wide.
16:9 (Widescreen): YouTube thumbnails, website banners, Facebook cover photos. Very wide format.
Platform Requirements
Amazon: 1:1 square (2500x2500 recommended). Shopify: 1:1 square (2048x2048). Etsy: 4:3 landscape (2000x1500). Instagram Feed: 1:1 square (1080x1080). Instagram Stories: 9:16 portrait (1080x1920). Pinterest: 2:3 portrait (1000x1500). TikTok: 9:16 portrait (1080x1920).
Best Practices
Always shoot at the highest resolution possible, then crop to the required aspect ratio. Use Pic1.ai platform presets to automatically export at the correct dimensions. Keep the product centered so it works in any crop.
Responsive Images
For your own website, provide multiple sizes using srcset. This ensures optimal display on all devices from phones to desktops.