Best Aspect Ratios for AI Images: A Cheat Sheet
Aspect ratio quietly decides whether your image looks right on the platform you post it to. Here's a quick cheat sheet.
The five that matter
- 1:1 square (1024×1024) — profile images, grids, versatile.
- 4:5 portrait — the best ratio for feed posts; takes more screen space.
- 2:3 portrait — classic photo crop, great for full-body shots.
- 16:9 widescreen — thumbnails, banners, desktop wallpapers.
- 9:16 vertical — reels, stories and TikTok-style video.
Pick by destination
Posting to a feed? Use 4:5 or 2:3 portrait — vertical images dominate mobile screens. Making a reel or short? Use 9:16. Need a header or video thumbnail? 16:9. When in doubt, portrait outperforms square on social.
Generate at the final ratio
Cropping later loses resolution and can cut off your subject. Choose the aspect ratio before you generate so the composition is built for it. FavMe offers all five ratios on every image generation.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best aspect ratio for social media?
Portrait wins on mobile feeds — use 4:5 or 2:3. For reels and stories use 9:16 vertical; for banners and thumbnails use 16:9.
Should I crop or generate at the final ratio?
Generate at the final ratio. Cropping afterwards loses resolution and can cut off your subject, since the composition wasn't built for it.