The 4:3 aspect ratio means the screen or image is 4 units wide for every 3 units high. This format was standard in CRT monitors, analog televisions, and many early LCD displays. It’s also common in retro video games, business projectors, and digital cameras that use a 4:3 sensor.
In pixel terms, 4:3 is a ratio, not a fixed size. A display with a resolution of 1024×768 pixels is 4:3. So is 1600×1200 pixels. The ratio stays the same, but the total number of pixels changes depending on width and height.
What Does 4:3 Aspect Ratio Mean in Pixels and Displays?
Aspect ratio is a relationship between width and height. In 4:3, for every 4 horizontal pixels, there are 3 vertical pixels. This makes the ratio 1.33:1.
For example, a 1024×768 display has 1024 pixels in width and 768 pixels in height. If you divide 1024 by 768, you get about 1.333, which is the 4:3 ratio. The same math works for 800×600, 1280×960, or 1600×1200.
This ratio was used in VGA, SVGA, XGA, and UXGA display standards, which were widely supported by the VESA organization for computer monitors and projectors.
How to Calculate a 4:3 Resolution? (Width and Height Formula)
If you know the width in pixels, you can find the height for a 4:3 resolution using this formula:
height = width × 3 ÷ 4
For example:
- If width = 1280 pixels, height = 1280 × 3 ÷ 4 = 960 pixels
- If width = 800 pixels, height = 800 × 3 ÷ 4 = 600 pixels
The same works in reverse. If you know the height, you can calculate width with:
- width = height × 4 ÷ 3
This is important when setting custom resolutions in Windows Display Settings, macOS Display Preferences, or GPU software like the NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software. It ensures the display keeps the correct shape without stretching or distortion.
List of Standard 4:3 Resolutions for Monitors, Projectors, and Video
Here are some common 4:3 resolutions used in monitors, projectors, and video output formats:
- QVGA: 320×240 pixels (low-res portable devices, early handheld consoles)
- VGA: 640×480 pixels (old CRT monitors, early laptops)
- SVGA: 800×600 pixels (budget LCD monitors, projectors)
- XGA: 1024×768 pixels (popular office monitor resolution)
- SXGA+: 1400×1050 pixels (high-end business projectors)
- UXGA: 1600×1200 pixels (professional CRT and LCD monitors)
- QXGA: 2048×1536 pixels (used in some digital cameras and tablets)
- QUXGA: 3200×2400 pixels (specialised high-resolution displays)
These resolutions follow VESA display standards and were once default modes for Windows desktops, Linux workstations, and Mac computers before widescreen (16:9) became dominant.
Common Uses of 4:3 Aspect Ratio Resolutions Today
Even though most screens today are 16:9 widescreen, the 4:3 aspect ratio still has many uses.
In retro gaming, consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super Nintendo (SNES), PlayStation 1, and arcade machines output games in 4:3. Playing these games on a 16:9 screen without keeping the ratio can cause stretching, so many gamers use pillarboxing to preserve the original look.
Business projectors often use 1024×768 (XGA) or 800×600 (SVGA) resolutions for compatibility with older laptops and presentation systems. Many CCTV and security camera feeds also record in 4:3 to maximise vertical coverage.
Some digital cameras and smartphones still offer a 4:3 photo mode because it uses the full sensor area, capturing more detail than 16:9 cropping.
How 4:3 Resolutions Compare to 16:9 Widescreen Formats?
The main difference between 4:3 and 16:9 is the field of view. 16:9 is wider, making it better for modern movies and wide-angle gameplay. In contrast, 4:3 feels taller and more square, which can be better for classic films, archival footage, or competitive gaming where vertical space matters.
When displaying 4:3 content on a 16:9 screen, you often see pillarboxing (black bars on the sides). If you stretch the image to fill the screen, it distorts shapes. For widescreen content shown on a 4:3 display, you get letterboxing (black bars on top and bottom).
16:9 formats like 1920×1080 (Full HD) and 3840×2160 (4K UHD) dominate modern displays, but many GPUs still support native 4:3 modes for compatibility.
How to Set a 4:3 Resolution on Modern Devices? (Windows, macOS, GPU Settings)
Most operating systems and graphics driver control panels still allow you to switch to a 4:3 resolution. Here’s how to do it on the main platforms:
1. On Windows
- Right-click your desktop and select Display settings.
- Scroll down and click Advanced display settings.
- If your monitor supports it, choose a 4:3 resolution like 1024×768, 1280×960, or 1600×1200.
- Click Apply to test the resolution, and confirm if the display looks correct.
If the option isn’t listed, open your NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software to add a custom resolution.
2. On macOS
- Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions).
- Go to Displays and select your active monitor.
- Hold the Option key while clicking Scaled to reveal all resolutions.
- Select a 4:3 aspect ratio resolution such as 1024×768 or 1280×960.
- Confirm the change, and adjust scaling if the image appears too small or large.
3. On NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel GPUs
- Open your GPU’s control software — NVIDIA Control Panel, AMD Radeon Software, or Intel Graphics Command Center.
- Look for the Display or Custom Resolution section.
- Create a new resolution with the 4:3 ratio by setting width and height accordingly (for example, 1280×960).
- Enable GPU scaling to maintain the correct aspect ratio without stretching.
- Save and apply the setting, then test in your apps or games to ensure it displays correctly.
Conclusion
The 4:3 aspect ratio may be from an older era of computing and broadcasting, but it remains important for retro gaming, professional presentations, archival video playback, and specific photography formats.
Knowing which resolutions match 4:3 — from 640×480 to 3200×2400 — lets you choose the right setting for your display or project. Modern operating systems and GPUs make it easy to switch, so you can keep your content looking sharp and correctly proportioned.
