Mockup aspect ratios cheat sheet (16 ratios designers actually use)

Updated May 24, 2026 · 6 min read

Aspect ratio is the single most-skipped mockup setting and the single biggest reason your design looks cropped, stretched, or bafflingly small. This cheat sheet covers the 16 ratios that handle every real-world use case from Etsy thumbnails to print packaging — with the pixel dimensions, where each fits, and the gotchas.

The quick reference table

Square (1:1) — the default that fits everywhere

Always export a 1:1 version first. Etsy, Amazon, Google Shopping, and every marketplace grid is square. Instagram feed defaults to it. If you only have time to make one mockup, make the square.

Portrait 4:5 — the Instagram performance ratio

On a phone, a 4:5 portrait image takes up roughly 80% of the vertical viewport vs. 50% for a square. That extra real estate translates directly to longer dwell time and higher engagement. Use it for Instagram, Pinterest, and any feed that supports portrait.

Vertical 9:16 — the short-form video standard

Reels, TikTok, Shorts, Stories. If you make video mockups (and you should — movement crushes static in social feeds), 9:16 is the default. 1080×1920 is the safe target resolution.

Landscape 16:9 — the desktop and presentation ratio

YouTube thumbnails, Shopify and Webflow hero sections, slide decks, the inside of a landing page. 16:9 is the widescreen standard everywhere outside mobile.

2:3 and 3:2 — the print photo ratios

2:3 portrait is the Pinterest sweet spot — it gets surfaced more in the feed than square or shorter pins. 3:2 landscape is the standard DSLR photo aspect, used for landscape posters and blog hero shots.

4:3, 3:4 — the classic photo and tablet ratios

Older screens, iPad portrait, traditional photo prints. Less common today but still required for some print-on-demand templates and presentation contexts.

Ultrawide 21:9 — the cinematic hero

If you have a wide hero on a landing page or a movie-poster style banner, 21:9 is the right ratio. It crops to letterbox on a standard monitor, so use it intentionally.

5:7 and 8:10 — the print sizes for photo and gift

If you sell printable art on Etsy, these two cover most of your buyers. 5:7 is greeting cards and small framed photos. 8:10 is the standard frame size you find at any home store.

1.91:1 — the social card ratio

Open Graph, Twitter / X large summary cards, LinkedIn, Facebook link previews. The standard pixel size is 1200×630. Every page on your site should have an OG image at this ratio.

3:1 — the banner ratio

Twitter / X header, LinkedIn cover, Etsy shop banner, YouTube channel art. Very wide, very short. Hard to design for — the key is to put your subject in the center because the edges crop differently on every device.

A4 and US Letter — the print page ratios

A4 (210×297mm) is the international standard. US Letter (8.5×11 in) is the US standard. If you sell printable posters, flyers, or printables, you need both versions because customers print on the paper their country sells.

2:1 — the email and podcast cover ratio

Mailchimp headers, podcast episode art, generic web banners. Wide enough to feel like a hero, short enough to fit above the fold.

Two practical rules

Always work at 2x the target. Retina screens are universal. A 1080×1080 Instagram square should be exported at 2160×2160 minimum.

Never crop after export, crop before. Designing at the wrong ratio and cropping later loses pixels and breaks composition. Pick the ratio first, design to fit.

Need to convert quickly?

Use our free aspect ratio calculator — punch in width and height, get the simplified ratio and the nearest preset name.