How to Change Aspect Ratio in Premiere Pro? Easy Steps Unveiled

Are you looking to learn how to change aspect ratio in Premier Pro? Look no further! Whether you'd like to add a cinematic effect to your videos, create content for different platforms like shooting a conversation between two people for YouTube, or practice unique storytelling approaches, using Adobe Premier to change aspect ratio is your go-to skill. Here are 3 easy methods to help you uncover your creativity to create content your viewers will enjoy from every screen frame.

Why does aspect ratio matter in video editing

Aspect ratio is an intrinsic concept in video editing that measures a video frame's width and height proportions. It defines a video's visual composition and shape, determining its appearance on different platforms and screens. Aspect ratios vary; each carries distinct visual aspects and suits different purposes. It's essential to change the aspect ratio in Premier for various reasons:

• Allows you to match your footage's aspect ratio to your preferred output: Different platforms have their aspect ratio requirements. Therefore, when shooting your footage, you need to ensure that your aspect ratio matches the platform requirements for which you are shooting.
• Gives your videos a unique look: Aspect ratio change can be a great way to transform them by giving them an eye-catching look.
• Helps you to crop your videos: If you wish to crop your video to a particular size, Adobe Premiere's change aspect ratio can make it easier.

That said, the commonly applicable aspect ratios include;

• Widescreen (16:9): this standard aspect ratio captures a wide range of detailed data. It is frequently used for films, online videos, and documentaries.
• Vertical (9:16): this is the phone-recorded videos' aspect ratio.
• Square (1:1): this is a perfect square ratio, primarily used for Instagram.

Want to know how to conveniently change your video aspect ratio with Premier Pro? Read below!

How to change the aspect ratio on Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is a global video-editing software application with an outstanding yet simple interface, powerful tools, and constant updates. It is mainly used among content creators and filmmakers owing to its extensive collection of tools and functions, including transitions and video effects, exceptional color grading, audio editing, multi-camera editing, etc. With its enviable ability to deliver professional results, Adobe Premier emerges as superior software in video post-production. There are 3 main ways to help you learn how to change the aspect ratio in Premier Pro.

How to change the aspect ratio in Premiere by creating a new sequence

Before shooting your footage, determine your desired aspect ratio for the content you want to shoot. Once you have settled on the aspect ratio, create a new sequence with that aspect ratio and then determine the matching aspect ratio in sequence settings before you edit. Do you want to learn how to set the aspect ratio in Premiere Pro through sequence settings? Follow these steps.

Step
1. Launch Premier Pro and create a new project. Open the Premiere Pro. On the start page, click "New Project" to create a new project.
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Step
3. To create a new sequence, select "File," then "New," then "Sequence," or press Ctrl + N.
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4. A sequence settings window will open. From the drop-down menu below the Frame size, select the desired aspect ratio. The Frame size shows the dimensions of the video you intend to shoot.
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6. If, for example, the frame size is 1080 horizontal and 1920 vertical, then the aspect ratio is 9:16. For a square video, the number of pixels vertically and horizontally shall be equal. Like 760x760, 1080x1080, etc.
Step
7. Once you have created a new sequence with your desired aspect ratio, it is time to import a video. There are three possible ways to do this:
8. 1.Drag and drop the footage into the new sequence.
9. 2.Go to File, then import.
10. 3.Press Ctrl+ I to import footage.
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12. The video you import will automatically adjust to match the new aspect ratio. If there is a mismatch, the dialog box below will appear.
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13. Click "Change sequence settings" to adjust parameters like fields and timebase to fit your video. (Timebase is Adobe's way of denoting Frames Per Second (FPS).)
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14. Go to "Menu," then "Sequence," and then "Sequence settings" to check the current sequence settings.
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15. Once you have confirmed that all the other settings fit the source video, you may choose whether to change the aspect ratio or keep it as it is.
16. The action applicable here is context-specific and primarily dependent on how you would like to rectify the mismatch between the source video and the required output video.
17. If you choose "Keep existing settings," and your video does not fit the new aspect ratio perfectly, you can adjust it. In the timeline, click on the video to select it. Navigate to the "Effect Controls" and then to "Motion." Resize the video clip by adjusting "Scale," then move it around by adjusting "Position."
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18. When you are satisfied with your video, export it. Go to "File," "Export," then "Media" to export it with the new aspect ratio.

How to change the aspect ratio by using the existing sequence settings

Supposing you realize that the aspect ratio is incorrect. How to change the Premiere Pro aspect ratio for an existing sequence? You need not worry! You can use any of the three methods below to transform a portrait video into a landscape in Premier Pro;

Method 1: Change video aspect ratio in Premiere Pro by Cropping (Pan and Scan)

Cropping the portrait video means removing the top and bottom parts of your video. You will undoubtedly lose some exciting scenes in your video. Follow these steps to crop the portrait video.

Step
1. From the menu, click "Sequence settings."
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2. Change the dimensions from 1080x1920 to 1920x1080.
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3. Click on the video to access a blue box with pointers. Drag the box pointers to enlarge the image to fill the screen.
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Given that the video's top and bottom parts are cropped, you might have to include motion effects and keyframes to pan the video to cover more image details.

Most importantly, this method is only recommended if the cropped video will not affect how it delivers its message.

Method 2: Change the aspect ratio by adding black bars

This method is known as pillar boxing the source video. It adds black bars on both ends of the vertical video.

Step
1. On the menu bar, click sequence settings.
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2. Change the dimensions from 1080x1920 to 1920x1080.
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3. Click on the video. A blue box with pointers will appear. Drag the pointers to resize the video.
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While it is possible to change the Premier Pro aspect ratio from 9:16 to 16:9 successfully, it is impractical in everyday life. While 4:3 to 16:9 equally works, with less black bars area, it is still undesirable. As such, we still recommend carefully considering and accurately setting the aspect ratio before shooting the footage.

Method 3: Change the aspect ratio by adding an adjustment layer

This method is a more popular version of pillar boxing, whereby you add a blurred background rather than black bars with the same video content.

Step
1. Change the sequence settings dimensions to 1920x1080.
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2. Drag your video to video track 2.
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3. Press Alt (option on Mac) to copy your video and drag it to track 3.
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5. On the first track, click the clip and blur it.
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Note: Changing the aspect ratio of an existing sequence resizes all the video clips in the sequence. To avoid this, consider creating a new sequence with the aspect ratio of your choice, then copy and paste your video clips into the new sequence.

Nonetheless, besides using Premiere Pro to change aspect ratio, you can explore a similarly advanced yet effortless way to change your video aspect ratio; the CapCut desktop editor is a good starting point. Below is a simple guide on how to do it.

An easier way to change aspect ratios: CapCut desktop video editor

The CapCut desktop video editor is an advanced online video editing tool specially built for professional use. The tool offers advanced, essential, and AI features such as a well-supplied library of fascinating resources with video transitions, effects, and stickers, among others, for optimal all-around editing abilities. It allows you to create videos covering life, from lifestyle and education to content creation and business.

CapCut has an intuitive interface that makes it an ideal tool for customizing aspect ratios. Searching for a convenient solution for achieving precise visual adjustments? Delve into the adaptability of the CapCut auto-reframe for easy and practical video aspect ratio transformation. Click the link below and install the CapCut desktop video editor right away!

How to change aspect ratios in the CapCut desktop video editor

Step
1. Import
2. Launch CapCut on your desktop and start a new project on the main interface. Click the "Import" button to pick the video you want to resize from your desktop. You can also do this in two other ways: Click on "Spaces" to import a video from the CapCut space or drag a video file and drop it from the timeline. Alternatively, you can select one video from CapCut's library for experimentation.
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4. Auto reframe and edit
5. Click your video on the timeline, go to "Video" on the right panel, and tick the "Auto-reframe" box. Adopt the appropriate aspect ratio depending on the platform you intend to share your video. CapCut supports a wide array of aspect ratios, including 9:16, 16:9, and 1:1, etc. This determines how your videos will look when your audience views them on different platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
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7. For the second method, you can use CapCut's video cropper. Simply click on the "Crop" tool, which is located on the toolbar right above the editing timeline.
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9. The crop ratio interface will appear. Click on "Free" to access the crop menu and choose the aspect ratio based on the platform for which you are editing the video.
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11. It is worth noting that CapCut surpasses simple image and video resizing. You can also enhance your footage's visual appeal by using the "Mask" feature under "Video" on the right panel of the interface to add a montage to your footage. Renowned filmmakers worldwide generally recommend and apply this effect.
12. Additionally, you can make extra adjustments to your video, like changing its position and size by adjusting the "Scale," "Position," features, and its orientation by adjusting the "Rotate" feature, all under "Basic".
13. You can also use the "Cutout" feature to remove unwanted parts of the video from human figures only. Lastly, you can use the "Enhance" feature to improve your image clarity by editing the body, face, makeup, facial beauty, etc. You can also give your video more clarity by adjusting the images' resolution, contrast, brightness, shadow, and more.
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Step
15. Export

Now that you have fully resized and enhanced your video, it is time to export it. You can customize the export settings by applying the export parameters, including resolution, bit rate, codec, format, and frame rate, according to your preference.



Once you have set up the export settings, you could share the video straight to your intended social media platform like TikTok, or download it to your device. Resizing and sharing your video with CapCut is that easy!



Why should you choose the CapCut desktop video editor

• Various aspect ratios
• CapCut's video resizer supports a variety of aspect ratios, including popular ones like 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, and more. This feature helps you to create videos that look their best when your viewers engage with them on various platforms.
• Create engaging clips with split scenes
• The CapCut video editor allows you to split a video into sections with one click. The split option allows you to split each section further and edit each section separately, allowing you to create an effect by including various background songs or transition effects. After completing the splitting and editing process, you can export the entire edited video or each section separately.
• Customized cutout
• Is your image complex, with an unpleasant background and poor focus? Don't let that bother you! CapCut allows you to cut out any unwanted parts with ease with unique edge detection and robust boundary marking.
• Add dynamic content with motion tracking
• Do you want to create potent and intriguing videos? You might want to consider motion tracking, an approach where the camera follows an object in motion. CapCut is famous for its outstanding motion-tracking abilities, quickly incorporating after-effects and camera tracking. This functional tool automates object tracking in video clips, which facilitates easy inclusion of graphics, texts, or effects that remain fully integrated with the subject's motion.
• Take control of pacing with the speed curve tool
• CapCut's speed curve editing tool helps you modify the playback speed of different clips in your video. This feature generates intriguing visuals and intensifies your storytelling.
• Generate captions for your videos with ease
• CapCut enables its users to conveniently add multilingual captions to their videos to increase their accessibility to reach a wider audience. It allows you to generate subtitles that sync with your footage's playback and personalize them as required. Unlike manual transcription and captions addition, the autocaption feature saves you time and effort.
• All-in-one audio and video editor
• CapCut offers rich editing tools for audio and video editing, such as voice changer, keyframe, deflicker, AI movement, etc. You can conveniently use it for video and audio editing on Windows and Mac.

Conclusion

Aspect ratios differ throughout the various video-sharing platforms, and it is crucial to adhere to this requirement when creating your videos to allow them to present visuals correctly when you upload them. Fortunately, you can explore Premiere Pro on how to change aspect ratio and learn how to adjust your videos to suit the dimensions of the different platforms. Regrettably, Premiere's aspect ratio change may be complicated as involves a subscription, a lengthy learning curve, and extensive PC processing power.

For this reason, you'd rather be in CapCut desktop video editor's hands. CapCut affords an equally proficient tool but a more favorable one than the Adobe Premier Pro. The CapCut desktop video editor is easy to use and affordable and undergoes regular upgrades to offer an excellent performance experience and up-to-date video editing features. Therefore, download and install the CapCut video editor today to avoid missing out on a seamless video resizing experience.

FAQs

1. Can I change the aspect ratio in Premiere without cropping?
2. Yes. You can also explore how to change the aspect ratio on Premier Pro by creating a new sequence. However, you can easily navigate the CapCut desktop video editor instead to access the "Ratio" option and change the aspect ratio without following an entire lengthy method to achieve the same purpose. The CapCut desktop video editor has an easy-to-use interface that is beginner-friendly and highly efficient. Try it out today and experience the seamless aspect ratio changing process.
3. What is the best way to change the aspect ratio in Premiere Pro?
4. The best way to change the aspect ratio in Premiere Pro is by creating a new sequence since it does not resize all the video clips in the sequence. However, the method involves a long learning curve that can significantly challenge a beginner. Fortunately, you can always opt for the CapCut desktop video editor for a more beginner-friendly, easy, and shorter learning curve that helps you optimize your videos to capture your audience's engagement skillfully. Try the CapCat desktop video editor today to conveniently become a pro in aspect ratio changing.
5. How do you convert 16:9 to 9:16 when changing the aspect ratio in Premiere Pro?

Step
1. Open a new project and import your video into the timeline.
Step
2. Create a new sequence. "File" > "New" > "Sequence" or "trl + N" for Windows or "Command + N" for Mac.
Step
3. Choose a preset depending on the platform to which you upload the video.
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4. Customize the settings by manually setting an aspect ratio not on the preset option. Click "Settings," then input your desired dimensions under "Frame Size."
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5. Finish creating the sequence by naming it and clicking "OK" to generate it.
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6. Import your video into the sequence. Click on "Keep existing settings" on the pop-up prompts.
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7. Adjust your video to fit the new aspect ratio perfectly. Select the video by clicking on it, then "Effect Controls" > "Motion" > "Scale" to resize the video > "Position" to move the video around.
Step
8. Export the video. "File" > "Export" > "Media."

Consider exploring the CapCut desktop video editor for a simple learning curve, an easy-to-navigate interface, and a convenient aspect ratio changing process.