  the aspect ratio of a geometric shape is the ratio between its sizes in different dimensions. for example, the aspect ratio of a rectangle is the ratio of its longer side to its shorter side - the ratio of width to height, when the rectangle is oriented as a "landscape". the aspect ratio is expressed as two numbers separated by a colon (x:y). the values x and y do not represent actual width and height but, rather, the "relation" between width and height. as an example, 8:5, 16:10 and 1.6:1 are the same aspect ratio. in objects of more than two dimensions, such as hyperrectangles, the aspect ratio can still be defined as the ratio of the longest side to the shortest side. ==applications and uses== the term is most commonly used with reference to: * graphic / image ** image aspect ratio ** display aspect ratio: the aspect ratio for computer displays. ** paper size ** standard photographic print sizes ** motion picture film formats ** standard ad size ** pixel aspect ratio ** photolithography: the aspect ratio of an etched, or deposited structure is the ratio of the height of its vertical side wall to its width. *** harmst high aspect ratios allow the construction of tall structures without slant * tire code * tire sizing * wing aspect ratio of an aircraft or bird * astigmatism of an optical lens * nanorod dimensions ==aspect ratios of simple shapes== ===rectangles===  for a rectangle, the aspect ratio denotes the ratio of the width to the height of the rectangle. a square has the smallest possible aspect ratio of 1:1. examples: * 4:3 = 1.: some (not all) 20th century computer monitors (vga, xga, etc.), standard-definition television * â2:1 = 1.414â¦: international paper sizes (iso 216) * 3:2 = 1.5: 35mm still camera film, iphone (until iphone 5) displays * 16:10 = 1.6 (not shown above): commonly used widescreen computer displays (wxga) * Î¦:1 = 1.618â¦: golden ratio, close to 16:10 * 5:3 = 1.: super 16 mm, a standard film gauge in many european countries * 16:9 = 1.: widescreen tv ===ellipses=== for an ellipse, the aspect ratio denotes the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis. an aspect ratio of 1:1 is a circle. center|500px| ==aspect ratios of general shapes== in geometry, there are several alternative definitions to aspect ratios of gener
Ratios