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Landscape and portrait digital frames on a picture ledge

Aspect ratio and cropping

Why some photos get cropped or framed with bars.

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What aspect ratio means

Aspect ratio is the shape of an image: its width compared with its height. A 4:3 image is 4 units wide for every 3 high. A 16:9 image is 16 wide for every 9 high, so it is wider.

Why photos get cropped

When a photo's shape differs from the screen's, a frame has two choices: fill the screen and crop the edges, or show the whole photo with bars. Some frames let you choose. Check the settings.

Upright photos

An upright photo on a wide screen has the same problem, only more so. Some frames can be turned upright. Check the manual.

Resizing and cropping yourself

You can crop a copy of a photo to the screen's shape in your phone's photo editor before you send it. Keep the original.

Shape before size. Width to height.

FAQ

The maker's specs list it, or a resolution in pixels wide by high.
Crop a copy if you want control over what is cut. Keep the original.

General information only. Features, file types, and settings differ by frame and can change with updates. Check your frame maker's manual, app, and privacy policy.

Next: screen resolution

Pixels, and pixel density.