Published 7 July 2026 · Buying Guides · 1 min read
16:9 vs 4:3 Projection Screens
Widescreen video vs legacy presentation format — which aspect ratio actually matches your content.
What the Ratios Mean
16:9 is the standard widescreen ratio used by HD and 4K video, streaming content and most modern presentation software. 4:3 is the older, nearly square ratio historically used by standard-definition video and some data projectors and presentation formats.
How the Same Diagonal Compares
The two ratios distribute the same diagonal very differently. A 120-inch screen, for example, works out to about 104.6 in × 58.8 in in 16:9, versus roughly 96 in × 72 in in 4:3 — 16:9 is wider and shorter for the same diagonal, 4:3 is narrower and taller. See exact figures on our size guide or compute any diagonal with the screen calculator, which supports both ratios plus a custom option.
Which to Choose
Choose 16:9 for movies, streaming, and any modern video-first content — it's the right match for virtually all consumer and most business content today. 4:3 is worth considering only where your source material or an older data projector is specifically built around it; otherwise 16:9 is the safer default.
Screens That Support Either
Most of our screen categories, including motorized and fixed wall screens, are available across both ratios and custom ratios — confirm your requirement on the individual product page or through request a quote.
