Screenshot Aspect Ratio
Definition
The width-to-height ratio of an app screenshot, which must match platform requirements per device.
What Is Screenshot Aspect Ratio?
Screenshot aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of an app store screenshot. Apple requires exact ratios per device class (iPhone 6.9" Display is approximately 9:19.5, iPad Pro 13" is approximately 3:4 portrait). Google Play accepts aspect ratios between 16:9 and 9:16, giving designers more flexibility but also more decisions to make. Aspect ratio matters because mis-sized screenshots either get rejected at upload (Apple) or render with letterboxing/distortion on the store page (Google Play). It also matters for design: a 9:19.5 portrait screenshot has very different composition rules than a 16:9 landscape — captions, device frames, and focal points all have to be planned for the target aspect ratio from the start.
Why It Matters for App Developers
Designing at the wrong aspect ratio means redoing the screenshots once you realize the upload was rejected. For tools like SnapMonk that handle aspect ratio automatically (export to all required device sizes), this is solved. For teams designing in Figma or Photoshop, mismatched aspect ratios are one of the most common late-stage launch blockers. Aspect ratio also affects composition: a 9:19.5 tall screenshot has more vertical real estate for captions above the device frame, while a 16:9 landscape needs a different layout entirely.
Technical Details
Apple iPhone 6.9" Display: 1320×2868 = approximately 9:19.5 portrait. iPhone 6.5" Display: 1242×2688 ≈ 9:19.5. iPad Pro 13": 2064×2752 ≈ 3:4. Apple's landscape screenshots use the inverse ratio. Google Play: accepts 16:9 through 9:16 for phone screenshots. Most teams design at 9:19.5 (or 9:16 for older devices) for phone and 3:4 for tablet. Aspect ratio should be set first when designing — captions and device frames should be positioned within the target ratio, not afterward. SnapMonk handles per-device aspect ratio automatically when exporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What aspect ratio should App Store screenshots be?
Apple requires device-specific aspect ratios. iPhone 6.9" Display: approximately 9:19.5 portrait (1320×2868). iPad Pro 13": approximately 3:4 portrait (2064×2752). Landscape screenshots use the inverse ratio. Get the exact dimensions and let the aspect ratio follow.
What aspect ratio should Google Play screenshots be?
Google Play accepts any aspect ratio between 16:9 and 9:16. Most teams design phone screenshots at 9:19.5 or 9:16 for consistency with iPhone. Tablet screenshots are typically 3:4 or 4:3 depending on portrait vs landscape orientation.
Can I mix portrait and landscape screenshots?
Both stores require all screenshots in a single set to be the same orientation — all portrait or all landscape. You can't mix them within one device set. You can have different orientations per device class (e.g., iPhone screenshots portrait, iPad screenshots landscape).
What happens if my screenshot is the wrong aspect ratio?
Apple rejects mis-sized screenshots at upload. Google Play accepts a range but may letterbox or distort screenshots outside its 16:9–9:16 range. Always export at the platform-specified dimensions to avoid these issues.
Related Terms
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