3:2 Aspect Ratio Calculator

Calculate dimensions for 3:2 photography format, the standard for DSLR cameras and 35mm film.

What is 3:2 Aspect Ratio?

The 3:2 aspect ratio is the standard for 35mm film photography and most DSLR/mirrorless cameras. This ratio originated from the dimensions of 35mm film frames (36mm x 24mm) and provides an ideal balance for both landscape and portrait photography. It also matches the dimensions of 4x6 inch prints perfectly.

3:2
3 units
2 units

Common 3:2 Dimensions

Resolution Name Category Megapixels
1080x720 1MP Web Camera 0.8 MP
3000x2000 6MP Camera 6.0 MP
4000x2667 10.7MP Camera 10.7 MP
4500x3000 13.5MP Camera 13.5 MP
6000x4000 24MP (Full Frame) Camera 24.0 MP
8256x5504 45MP (Sony A7R) Camera 45.4 MP
1800x1200 4x6 Print @ 300dpi Print 2.2 MP
2400x1600 8x5.3 Print @ 300dpi Print 3.8 MP

Who Uses 3:2?

DSLR & Mirrorless

Native sensor ratio for Canon, Nikon, Sony, and most full-frame cameras

35mm Film

Classic film photography format used since the 1920s

4x6 Photo Prints

Standard photo print size that matches 3:2 perfectly

Surface Devices

Microsoft Surface tablets and laptops use 3:2 for productivity

3:2 vs Other Ratios

Related Calculators & Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do cameras use 3:2?

3:2 comes from 35mm film, which has frame dimensions of 36mm x 24mm (a 3:2 ratio). When digital cameras were developed, they kept this ratio for compatibility with existing lenses and to match standard print sizes like 4x6 inches.

What print sizes fit 3:2 without cropping?

Standard 4x6 inch prints are an exact 3:2 match. For larger prints, 6x9, 8x12, 10x15, 12x18, and 20x30 inches all maintain the 3:2 ratio without any cropping needed.

Should I shoot in 3:2 or 4:3?

3:2 is ideal for landscape photography and matches standard print sizes. 4:3 gives you more vertical space which can be useful for portraits or social media. Most cameras default to 3:2, but you can often change this in settings.

How many megapixels is 6000x4000?

6000 x 4000 = 24,000,000 pixels = 24 megapixels. This is a common resolution for full-frame mirrorless cameras like the Sony A7 III and Canon EOS R.

Why is 3:2 better than 16:9 for photos?

3:2 captures more of the scene vertically while 16:9 is very wide and short. For most photography, 3:2 provides a better balance. 16:9 is optimized for video content, not still photography.