Ratios and Proportions Explained
A ratio compares the relationship between two amounts, showing how many times the first number contains the second. It is usually written with a colon (e.g., 16:9) or as a fraction.
Scaling and Proportions
When two ratios are equivalent, they form a proportion. If a recipe calls for a 2:1 ratio of flour to sugar (2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar), scaling it up to 4 cups of flour means you need 2 cups of sugar (4:2). Cross-multiplication is used to find missing variables in proportional scaling.
Aspect Ratios
In digital media, aspect ratios describe the proportional relationship between a screen's width and height. Classic TVs were 4:3, modern monitors are 16:9, and ultra-wide cinematic displays are 21:9. Our calculator can easily scale pixel dimensions while locking the aspect ratio.