Understanding Video Formats: What You Need to Know in 2025
Video production continues to evolve, and keeping up with the latest formats and aspect ratios is crucial for creating high-quality, versatile content that performs across platforms. Whether you’re creating for social media, websites, or broadcast, understanding these technical details will ensure your videos are visually stunning and platform-ready.
1. Why Video Formats and Aspect Ratios Matter
A video format determines how a file is encoded and stored, impacting:
Quality: Clear visuals and audio.
Compatibility: Ensuring smooth playback on various platforms and devices.
File Size: Managing storage without compromising quality.
Aspect ratio, on the other hand, defines the relationship between a video's width and height. Choosing the right aspect ratio impacts how your video appears across devices, particularly as mobile viewing dominates.
💡 Tip: Combining the right video format with the optimal aspect ratio ensures your content looks polished and professional.
2. Popular Video Formats in 2025
MP4 (H.265/HEVC)
Why It’s Popular: The most versatile format, offering high-quality compression.
What’s New: H.265/HEVC encoding is now standard, producing smaller files with the same visual fidelity.
Best For: Social media, YouTube, websites, and mobile playback.
WebM
Why It’s Popular: Optimised for web use, fully supported by HTML5 browsers.
What’s New: Increasingly used for immersive AR/VR content and 360-degree videos.
Best For: Websites and browser-based platforms.
ProRes
Why It’s Popular: Professional-grade format for high-quality editing workflows.
What’s New: ProRes RAW is a go-to for capturing raw footage with exceptional detail.
Best For: Post-production and high-end video projects.
AV1
Why It’s Popular: A royalty-free codec designed for efficient streaming.
What’s New: Major streaming platforms are adopting it for ultra-HD content to reduce bandwidth usage.
Best For: Online streaming and high-resolution web content.
3. Aspect Ratios: Getting it Right
16:9 (Standard Widescreen)
Why It’s Popular: The most common ratio, compatible with TVs, desktops, and traditional YouTube videos.
Best For: General-purpose videos and professional projects.
9:16 (Vertical)
Why It’s Popular: The go-to for mobile-first platforms like TikTok, Instagram Stories, and Reels.
Best For: Mobile-only audiences and social media campaigns.
2:1 (Emerging YouTube Trend)
Why It’s Gaining Traction: As phone screens get wider, this aspect ratio makes the most of display real estate, especially on iPhones. Playing back 2:1 videos on YouTube hides the iPhone's corner notch, creating a seamless viewing experience.
Best For: YouTube videos designed for mobile audiences and cinematic looks.
1:1 (Square)
Why It’s Popular: Compact and eye-catching, with consistent playback across devices.
Best For: Instagram feeds and LinkedIn videos.
21:9 (Ultra-Wide)
Why It’s Popular: Creates a cinematic experience for trailers or immersive storytelling.
Best For: High-end productions and videos viewed on ultra-wide monitors.
💡 Tip: Always consider your audience’s viewing device when selecting an aspect ratio.
4. Emerging Trends in Video Formats and Aspect Ratios
2:1 Aspect Ratio on YouTube
YouTube creators are increasingly adopting 2:1 videos to cater to mobile-first audiences. This ratio fits modern phone screens better than the traditional 16:9, offering an edge for brands targeting mobile users.
Mobile-Optimised Formats
With mobile dominating video consumption, formats like MP4 and WebM in vertical and 2:1 ratios are critical for optimising playback on smaller screens.
AR/VR Content
Immersive storytelling with 360-degree videos is growing, with formats like WebM and MP4 (H.265) supporting seamless AR/VR integration.
HDR for Streaming
High Dynamic Range (HDR) formats such as Dolby Vision deliver richer colours and are becoming essential for premium streaming services.
Sustainability in Formats
As brands focus on reducing digital carbon footprints, new formats like AV1 offer efficient compression without sacrificing quality.
5. Tips for Choosing the Right Format and Aspect Ratio
Know Your Platform: Social media favours vertical or square formats, while YouTube benefits from 16:9 or 2:1.
Test on Devices: Preview videos on phones, tablets, and desktops to ensure compatibility.
Think Cinematic for Mobile: For YouTube or branded content aimed at mobile, consider the 2:1 ratio for a seamless experience.
Balance Quality and File Size: Use efficient codecs like H.265 or AV1 for high-quality compression.
6. Platform-Specific Recommendations
Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right formats and aspect ratios for popular platforms:
-
Preferred Format; MP4 (H.265/HEVC)
Aspect Ratio; 16:9 or 2:1
Max Resolution; Up to 8K -
Preferred Format; MP4 (H.264)
Aspect Ratio; 9:16
Max Resolution; 1080x1920 (Full HD) -
Preferred Format; MP4 (H.264)
Aspect Ratio; 1:1 or 16:9
Max Resolution; 4K -
Preferred Format; ProRes or MXF
Aspect Ratio; 16:9 or 21:9 (cinematic)
Max Resolution; Cinema-Grade 4K/8K
7. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using the wrong aspect ratio, leading to awkward black bars or cropping.
Ignoring platform requirements for aspect ratios or resolutions.
Overlooking the 2:1 trend for mobile YouTube viewers.
Over-compressing files and losing visual clarity.
💡 Tip: Tailor your aspect ratio and format for every platform to maximise engagement.
The Bottom Line
Video formats and aspect ratios are more than technical details—they’re the backbone of successful video production. In 2025, emerging trends like the 2:1 YouTube ratio and mobile-friendly formats ensure your content stays relevant and impactful.
At NINJA video house, we understand the importance of getting these details right. Let us help you create videos that look amazing, play perfectly, and resonate with your audience. Get in touch today!