Aspect Ratio Conversion

Overview

Optimize your AI-generated videos for any platform with ReelVan's intelligent aspect ratio conversion. Smart cropping ensures your subject stays in frame while adapting to different formats.

Supported Ratios

16:9 (Widescreen)

Best for:

• YouTube
• Horizontal videos
• Desktop viewing
• Landscape content

Dimensions: 1920×1080 (Full HD) or 3840×2160 (4K) Cost: 25 credits per 5 seconds

9:16 (Vertical)

Best for:

• Instagram Stories
• TikTok
• YouTube Shorts
• Reels

Dimensions: 1080×1920 Cost: 25 credits per 5 seconds

1:1 (Square)

Best for:

• Instagram Feed
• Facebook posts
• LinkedIn
• Twitter/X

Dimensions: 1080×1080 Cost: 25 credits per 5 seconds

4:5 (Portrait Feed)

Best for:

• Instagram Feed
• Facebook Feed
• Optimized engagement

Dimensions: 1080×1350 Cost: 25 credits per 5 seconds

Conversion Methods

Smart Crop (AI-Powered)

AI automatically identifies and keeps important content in frame:

1. Subject Detection: Finds people, objects, text
2. Motion Tracking: Follows action throughout video
3. Composition Analysis: Maintains good framing
4. Smooth Transitions: No jarring movements

Best for:

• Videos with clear subjects
• Action/movement content
• Automated workflows

Manual Crop

You control exactly what's in frame:

1. Select starting frame position
2. Set keyframes for crop movement
3. Preview before processing
4. Adjust as needed

Best for:

• Specific compositions
• Multiple subjects
• Precise control needed

Letterbox/Pillarbox

Add bars to maintain original content without cropping:

• Letterbox: Black bars top/bottom
• Pillarbox: Black bars left/right
• Custom color: Use any background color
• Blur background: Blur original as background

Best for:

• Preserving full frame
• Avoiding cropping important content
• Artistic effect

Platform-Specific Guides

YouTube

Recommended:

• Format: 16:9
• Resolution: 4K (3840×2160) or 1080p
• No cropping needed if source is 16:9

If converting from 9:16:

• Use letterbox with blur background
• Or smart crop to highlight key moments

Instagram

Stories/Reels (9:16)

• Convert from 16:9 using smart crop
• AI will follow main subject
• Ensure text/faces stay in frame

Feed Posts (4:5 or 1:1)

• 4:5 recommended for max screen space
• 1:1 for classic look
• Smart crop works great

TikTok

Optimal:

• Format: 9:16
• Resolution: 1080×1920
• Smart crop from 16:9 sources

Pro tip: Keep important content in center 2/3

Twitter/X

Best:

• Format: 16:9 or 1:1
• 1:1 works well in feed
• 16:9 for full-screen playback

Best Practices

Before Conversion

✅ Identify key content

• What must stay in frame?
• Is there text that needs to be readable?
• Are there multiple subjects?

✅ Consider platform

• Where will this be posted?
• What aspect ratio is optimal?
• Will it be viewed mobile or desktop?

✅ Check source ratio

• Converting 16:9 → 9:16 crops a lot
• Converting 9:16 → 16:9 adds bars or blur
• Minimal conversion = better quality

During Conversion

✅ Use smart crop first

• Try AI before manual
• Usually gets it right
• Saves time

✅ Preview carefully

• Watch entire video
• Check subject stays in frame
• Verify text is readable

✅ Adjust if needed

• Can manually override AI decisions
• Set custom crop positions
• Add keyframes for complex videos

After Conversion

✅ Compare on target platform

• Upload test version
• View on mobile device
• Check actual appearance

✅ Verify readability

• Text still clear?
• Faces visible?
• Key elements in frame?

Examples

Example 1: 16:9 → 9:16 (YouTube to TikTok)

Original: Horizontal Sora video Target: Vertical for TikTok

Process:

1. Upload 16:9 video
2. Select 9:16 conversion
3. Choose "Smart Crop"
4. AI follows the main subject
5. Preview and adjust

Result: Perfect vertical video, subject always centered

Cost: 50 credits (20 seconds)

Example 2: 9:16 → 16:9 (Story to YouTube)

Original: Vertical Kling video Target: Horizontal for YouTube

Options:

Option A - Letterbox with blur:

• Original video centered
• Blurred version as background
• No content lost

Option B - Smart extend:

• AI extends edges naturally
• Creates 16:9 from 9:16
• Experimental feature

Cost: 50 credits (20 seconds)

Advanced Features

Multi-Ratio Export

Export same video in multiple ratios:

One source → Multiple outputs:
- 16:9 for YouTube
- 9:16 for TikTok
- 1:1 for Instagram
- 4:5 for Feed

Cost: 75 credits per 5 seconds (all formats)

Safe Zone Guides

Visual guides show safe areas:

• Story safe zone: Center 78%
• Feed safe zone: 4:5 visible area
• YouTube safe zone: 16:9 without overlays

Animated Crop

Crop window can move:

• Follow moving subjects
• Pan across wide content
• Create dynamic framing

Cost: +10 credits per 5 seconds

Pricing

Aspect ratio conversion:

Troubleshooting

Subject gets cut off

Solutions:

• Use manual crop mode
• Adjust safe zone margins
• Try different cropping strategy
• Use letterbox instead

Crop moves too much

Solutions:

• Reduce motion smoothing
• Lock crop to static position
• Add manual keyframes
• Enable "Steady crop" mode

Letterbox bars too prominent

Solutions:

• Use blur background instead
• Try gradient background
• Match bar color to video
• Consider cropping instead

API Integration

Automate aspect ratio conversion:

curl -X POST https://api.reelvan.com/v1/process \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "video_url": "https://example.com/video.mp4",
    "operations": {
      "aspect_ratio": {
        "target": "9:16",
        "method": "smart_crop",
        "keep_audio": true
      }
    }
  }'

Full API docs →

FAQs

Can I convert any ratio to any other?

Yes! We support all common ratios and custom dimensions.

Does quality degrade?

Minimal quality loss. We re-encode at high bitrate.

Can I batch convert?

Yes, via API or batch upload in dashboard.

What about audio?

Audio is always preserved unless you disable it.

Next Steps

• Add custom watermarks →
• Enhance quality first →
• View pricing →

Start converting →